eLearning Tips

These tips are meant to be used as high level guides to getting started online.  These elements will be determined by the platform selected for delivery by individual teachers (Google Classroom, Seesaw, Google Meet)  It is important to recognize that the delivery modes of online learning are VERY different from traditional ‘brick & mortar’ classrooms.   Do not try to recreate your classroom or day.   The ideas below are intended to provide a mindset required to provide the best opportunity for achieving success online. 

eLearning Tips

First Steps

• Practice with and troubleshoot the tools you will use. Seek support when needed.

• Office Hours - Outline how and when students can meet and otherwise interact with you during the week.

• Limit New Tools - If possible, use programs you and your students have already used.

Next Steps

• Establish norms and expectations for conferences and communication between Teacher & Students.

• Establish a class Calendar to set dates and book meetings where needed.

Continued Practices

• Asynchronous, Blended  and Synchronous - Providing clear instructions, expectations, and timelines for the mode(s) of delivery you select for your class will be key to success.  It is likely that you will initially focus on Asynchronous learning. 

• Projects can meet a number of outcomes, be cross curricular, last over multiple days, and provide students many opportunities for conferencing and guidance throughout their learning.  It is also a good opportunity for teachers to collaborate on learning activities.  This may be an opportunity to give students choice so they can continue to integrate areas of passion in their work. e.g. music and art.

Additional Resources

• Google Teach From Home - a temporary hub of information and tools to help teachers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

• Distance Learning through Covid19 with Google - with school closures, teachers can keep their lessons going remotely

• Education On Air with Google - a curriculum of webinars and digital events to help you get the most out of Google for Education tools and solutions.

• Online Teaching Cheat Sheet by Brian Buffington - created to assist schools and teachers during the coronavirus outbreak.  

• Applied Digital Skills - teach and learn practical digital skills using our free project-based video curriculum

• Using Google to Teach Remotely - episode 110 of the Google Teacher Podcast

• Teaching Remotely with Carly Black - episode 111 of the Google Teacher Podcast

• 12 Practical Tips for Remote Learning During School Closures  

• Google Tools  - A Google Drive folder full of resources and tutorials on Google tools. Varying relevance to NS and date of update.

Slow Internet/Low Bandwidth?

• 10 tips to support students with slow internet - Slow internet is a way of life for many families. We can minimize internet limitations by using some of these tips.

• Videoconferencing Alternatives: How Low-Bandwidth Teaching Will Save Us All - organized by two important factors: bandwidth and immediacy (low to high).