So, as it turns out there are endless ways to conduct a remote teaching/learning classroom. I've thought about and explored many options over the past week and I've made some decisions about how to start. I'm sure this will change as I go, but I feel good about the decisions I've made so far.
The first piece of technology that has become my new best friend is Zoom for video conference calls and recording videos for my students. This is how we are having all of our staff meetings, meetings with colleagues and also meetings/lessons with students and parents. It is user friendly and simple to navigate. I even recorded my first video lesson for my students. I was super nervous and worried about what I would look like and sound like, but in the end, I just went all in without a script and I think it turned out good enough! Hopefully my students enjoyed seeing me on their screens.
Second, my school already uses FreshGrade as a digital portfolio, assessment and communication tool. It made sense to continue using this to have students and parents post activities and assignments for me to see the learning students are doing. Occasionally, I will post a question or reflection for students to respond to right in FreshGrade.
Third, the Google classroom is something I was a little bit familiar with before, but am now quite familiar with. I decided that since my students already had Google accounts set up already, I would use the Google classroom as a place to post all assignments and activities so that everything is in one place throughout this process. Hopefully parents and students get used to how the Google classroom works and become comfortable finding everything they need in one place.
I've also stepped out of my comfort Zone and created a public Instagram account to share some ideas, positive thoughts, and resources that others in the community might find useful or inspiring. It is a strange feeling to just let anyone into my little world, but if I can help just one person that way, it is worth it.
So, week 2 is underway! The first official week of remote teaching. I'm looking forward to seeing how things unfold.
Stay tuned to find out...
Sincerely,
Meaghan
The first piece of technology that has become my new best friend is Zoom for video conference calls and recording videos for my students. This is how we are having all of our staff meetings, meetings with colleagues and also meetings/lessons with students and parents. It is user friendly and simple to navigate. I even recorded my first video lesson for my students. I was super nervous and worried about what I would look like and sound like, but in the end, I just went all in without a script and I think it turned out good enough! Hopefully my students enjoyed seeing me on their screens.
Second, my school already uses FreshGrade as a digital portfolio, assessment and communication tool. It made sense to continue using this to have students and parents post activities and assignments for me to see the learning students are doing. Occasionally, I will post a question or reflection for students to respond to right in FreshGrade.
Third, the Google classroom is something I was a little bit familiar with before, but am now quite familiar with. I decided that since my students already had Google accounts set up already, I would use the Google classroom as a place to post all assignments and activities so that everything is in one place throughout this process. Hopefully parents and students get used to how the Google classroom works and become comfortable finding everything they need in one place.
I've also stepped out of my comfort Zone and created a public Instagram account to share some ideas, positive thoughts, and resources that others in the community might find useful or inspiring. It is a strange feeling to just let anyone into my little world, but if I can help just one person that way, it is worth it.
So, week 2 is underway! The first official week of remote teaching. I'm looking forward to seeing how things unfold.
Stay tuned to find out...
Sincerely,
Meaghan