Digital Teaching and Learning
January 27, 2021
How can I effectively build relationships with students within a digital teaching and learning environment?
People learn better when they have a positive relationship with the person providing instruction.
The characteristics of a high quality teacher-student relationship include:
- Teacher empathy
- Unconditional positive regard
- Genuineness
- Nondirectivity
- Encouragement of critical thinking
Source: Fisher, Frey, and Hattie (2021) Distance learning playbook.
Application of this strategy:
Teacher Empathy
Leigh Moran, middle school teacher, shares a strategy for building a positive virtual classroom environment.
Positive regard
Marcy Starbuck, middle school teacher, shares an optimistic, positive demeanor in her message to students about learning about themselves, the world, and each other.
Genuineness
Amanda Jourdan, middle school teacher, establishes an optimistic classroom environment every day. The notion of ‘struggle’ becomes the routine of a positive and fun activity.
Nondirectivity
Beth White, high school teacher, discusses how she uses break out rooms to allow students choice and shared decision-making in meeting content goals.
Encouragement of Critical Thinking
Shannon O'Connor, an elementary teacher, discusses how to build choice and relevance into assignments.
Digital Teaching and Learning Professional Development Module Updates
Module 5 of the Digital Teaching and Learning course will be live today, Wednesday, January 27, 2021. Module 5 focuses on the technology set up of your classroom for in-person and hybrid teaching and learning. Updates have been made to include the use of webcams.
On Wednesday, February 10, 2021, Module 6 of the Digital Teaching and Learning course will be available. Module 6 focuses on digital teaching and learning to support essential skills for engagement and hybrid learning.
Tools For All
Office Hours
Office hours will be held 3:00 to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday via this Teams link. Access the full schedule on this calendar.
Access previous issues of the Digital Teaching and Learning newsletter.