Ways to Use Video Conferencing with Students Learning Remotely

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Thank goodness for Zoom and Google Meet! During this time of social isolation and remote learning, these video conferencing tools are lifesavers. They make it possible for teachers to maintain a human connection with their students and guide their learning from a distance. Below are three suggestions for using these video conferencing platforms to continue teaching students as they learn remotely.

#1 Small Group Instruction

Teachers can host a series of short Zoom or Google Meet sessions throughout the day focused on different skills or topics. These online sessions are an excellent way to continue teaching and connecting with learners. Even if teachers cannot require that students attend a live meeting due to concerns around access, connectivity, and availability, these sessions can be recorded and posted on class websites, Google Classroom, or a learning management system.

As teachers think about hosting virtual meetings, I would encourage them to approach the design of this time with intention. Structuring a small group instruction session will help to engage students and make the experience more meaningful for them. It is essential to build in time for them to discuss information and ask questions.

bit.ly/TeachingVideoConf

If teachers are planning to use video conference to simply transfer information (e.g., lectures or mini-lessons), I would suggest recording a video and allowing students to self-pace through that video. Then the valuable and limited time you have with students in a video conferencing session can be spent on more hands-on, collaborative, and engaging tasks.

#2 Facilitate a Small Group Discussion

Teachers can invite students to participate in a small group discussion about a chapter they read in a text or the textbook, debrief about a flipped video lesson, or unpack complex issues or topics related to your subject area.

Ideally, I would suggest teachers provide the discussion questions ahead of time to allow students to think about them before the conversation. I also recommend providing students with an online space where they can crowdsource and capture questions they would like to discuss. Teachers can do this using Mentimeter by asking an open-ended question, on a shared online document, or simply asking students to write down three questions on paper that they can bring to the conversation.

#3 Conferencing with Students

Conferencing online with students about their goals, progress, questions, and concerns is a powerful way to use video conferencing capabilities. Teachers can create a schedule of timeslots using an online calendar, like Google Calendar or Calendy, to allow students to sign up for 5-minute conferencing sessions.

I am a fan of using a goal-setting activity to guide conferencing sessions about student progress. In the past, I have used the SMART goal format to get students thinking about what they want to achieve in a grading period; however, given the fluid nature of the COVID-19 and school closures, I would encourage teachers to embrace goal-setting on a smaller scale (e.g., one week at a time).

I adapted Simon Sinek’s golden circle from his book Start with Why to get students thinking about why they want to achieve a particular goal (academic or personal), how they will go about achieving it, and what success will look or feel like.

bit.ly/GoldenCircleGoal

Teachers can make a copy of the Google Drawing above and share it with students via Google Classroom. This goal-setting activity engages students in the metacognitive practice of setting a personal or academic goal at the start of each week. Then teachers can reference this goal during conferencing sessions. They can also end each week by asking students to reflect on their progress toward their goal that week in a journal or online reflective log.

Optional video conferencing sessions can offer students an avenue to connect and get the support they need during this tough time. I have also heard teachers on Twitter talk about offering parent Q&A sessions or coffee chats with families to keep them in the loop and lower anxiety levels. Other teachers are meeting with their professional learning communities (PLCs) to discuss lesson design, book study texts or education podcasts, or simply share what is working as they move curriculum online.

There are myriad ways to leverage video conferencing during this time of social isolation and remote learning. If you are using video conferencing with students, teachers, or families and want to share your approach, please take a moment to post a comment so we can learn from each other!

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10 Virtual Teaching Tips For Beginners

In response to the spread of COVID-19 throughout the World. governors and legislatures in Africa have called for the closure of over 124,000 public schools.

As a result, many educators have shifted to online classes to support the learning needs of their students. While some teachers have experience with integrating technology into their lesson plans, for many other educators this is completely new territory. 

However, educators are working quickly to adapt while helping students and parents adapt as well. These 10 tips can help teachers make a successful transition to virtual teaching.

10 Virtual Teaching Tips For Beginners

1. Choose your virtual platform

Virtual platforms like Zoom allow teachers to connect with their entire class at once to provide more engaging, effective online instruction. However, it’s important to be sure you’re following best practices for cyber safety by establishing usernames and strong passwords. Furthermore, avoid advertising class or meeting links on public interfaces (such as school websites). 

A good microphone and headset are also key to preventing listener fatigue and ensuring that students can clearly hear lessons.

2. Communication is key :  For many students and parents, virtual learning is a new landscape. Thus, it’s important to educate them on the digital tools needed for success. Provide tutorials up front and schedule run-throughs with each student with a family member to help assist younger primary students. 

Furthermore, make sure each student has access to a digital device. If students share devices with siblings or other school-age household members, try to ensure that class times differ so that your students can use their devices when they need them.

3. Compile common resources

Use your learning commons as a vital resource, the Learning Commons contains materials aligned into unit study kits with prepared lesson plans. Some RN Learning Commons resources related to student engagement include Engaging Resources for Remote Teaching and Tools for Teaching Classes Remotely.

4. Dive into pedagogy

Learn how to flip your classroom, and then leverage technology like Flipgrid to get students excited and empowered to share presentations every other week with their peers for formative feedback. 

5. Keep students accountable

In a virtual learning environment, it can be challenging for teachers to hold students accountable when they don’t see them every day. Educators need to develop strategies to ensure their students come prepared to learn. For example, language arts teachers can create literature circles and book clubs or use a STEAM approach to empower students to teach the class with a given role. This creates accountability in that students must come prepared each week to present.  

Teachers can easily start virtual book clubs with resources like the Sora student reading app, which enables students to access eBooks and Audiobooks from their school’s digital collection for leisure and class-assigned reading. To facilitate more reading among remote learners, OverDrive Education recently announced that it is providing schools with access to 260+ simultaneous use books at no cost. 

6. Simplify the transition

Often, the shift to a new virtual classroom comes with a learning curve for teachers too. One way to help ease this transition is getting students to help with technology and encouraging them to assist others.  

7. Take breaks

Using any online platform for 45 minutes at a time can be hard on the eyes and mind. Taking screen-free brain breaks can help.

8. Use gamification/contests

Find ways to make learning fun through weekly challenges, contests and games. 

Furthermore, some learning apps include built-in factors of gamification to enhance student participation and motivation. For example, video game-inspired achievements and badges in the Sora reading app reward students for reaching specific milestones.

9. Create accessibility

Create universal supports for students who don’t like making videos or are shy. Some students may thrive using Zoom chat but are less successful using Zoom video or Flipgrid. Allow for all types of sharing based on modality of the student.

10. Encourage collaboration and digital citizenship

Virtual teaching can expand the ability of educators to shine as they help students learn how to effectively collaborate online and become good digital citizens.  

Lastly, have fun! If students see their teachers laughing, moving, singing or dancing, they’ll do the same! 

By keeping these tips and strategies in mind, educators can better understand the digital classroom and transform the way they teach so that regardless of location, students can experience successful learning outcomes.

Kayode Ogunleye is a Social Educator and Director Learning Regenerate Network online platform