Educational Technology
Update April 27, 2020
The Transition to Distance Learning
Once upon a time we were in our classrooms experiencing the audible sighs or exaggerated eye rolls of our students when an assignment was given or an assessment announced. We saw the gleeful expression of success and could swear we saw the light bulb go off over our students heads when it all clicked together. Likewise, our students benefited from the audio and visual clues we provided, the joy of learning, compassionate listening, or the all too familiar look expressing “are you kidding me.”
These additional subtle means of communication have been greatly diminished and present a challenge to teacher and student alike. We know in a face to face world when we asked how things were going or do you need help, the answer frequently was “fine” and “no, I’m good”. If the clues told us differently, we could step in.
What about now?
Any of us who have taken (let alone taught) an online college or grad class know it is hard work and requires a very different skill set than the traditional classroom setting. Many colleges have lists of the characteristics of successful online learners.
- Self-reliant
- Active learner
- Well organized
- Good time management
- Self-advocate
- Technology literate
- Independent
- Strong written communication skills
- Persistence
Our students are just developing these skills, and we need to help them to continue to develop them while simultaneously providing structured supports to help them stay organized, make connections for learning, clear instruction and support remotely.
One way teachers have been doing this is creating weekly overview videos. A well-done video can help students make connections to past learning, provide suggestions for time management, organization, and visually based instruction for content concepts.
Teachers are also helping students (and parents) stay organized by placing everything needed in one place such a Schoology folder, Google Classroom topic, or a single file. Organization is half the battle.
Transitioning from being a classroom teacher to a remote teacher is a challenge to say the least. But BPS is home to extraordinary teachers who are stepping up to the challenge in a remarkable, heroic way. The Ed Tech Team has been privileged to see some of the terrific work being done. The willingness and perseverance to try new things and desire to make it work for our students is humbling.
Please review the links below for some inspiration for organizing your online learning environments.
Template for Creating Organizing Slide in Google Slide (Everybody)
How to Create an Organizing Page in Schoology (BHS Schoology users)
Weekly Planner for online lessons sample 1 (K-5, Special Education, Newcomers)
Weekly Planner for online lessons sample 2 (K-5, Special Education, Newcomers)
Tips to add organizational elements to any slide presentation (Everybody)
Exploring DESE Resources
DESE has family guides in a variety of languages that explore what students learn in each grade level and subject area. This is might prove useful to help communicate what students have worked on this year and the key areas they should work on in the future.
The DESE office of STEM has created a MASS STEM@home spreadsheet to provide access to educational enrichment options for students, families, and educators during the closure. It includes linked resources that are intended for use by families, educators, and/or students. The resources have been grouped into the following categories:
- Statewide and/or General Resources
- By Subject
- By Learner Characteristic
Upcoming PD
We are awaiting the results of surveys, guidance from DESE, and our district next steps to help determine what direction our support and PD will take next. If there are ideas or needs you think we need to be addressing please send an email to EdTechHelp@mybps.us.
Ongoing Support
If you are experiencing difficulties using web resources visit the staff resource page, and join us for PD/Support web meetings or our virtual office hours.
For Ed Tech help please send your email to EdTechHelp@mybps.us . Please do not send requests to individual team members, to help us share the work load. This will help ensure your request will be handled in a timely manner.
If you are having a problem with your device please send these support requests to infrastructure@mybps.us.