The most important thing to know about remote learning is that it is not simply doing school at home. It's different. Throw the bell schedule out!
Instead:
Teacher
- Posts assignments with support materials like instructions and videos.
- Provides optional times throughout the day for students to come together to chat, get support, discuss, and answer questions.
- Sets times for students, pairs, or groups, to schedule appointments.
- When students submit work, the teacher is commenting on that work, giving feedback, and perhaps chatting via voice, video, or text with the student.
Students
- Follow a schedule that works best for the family.
- Submit work as their schedule allows within a recommended time frame.
- Know how to request both synchronous and asynchronous help from their teacher.
Families
- Make schedules for their day
- Know how to make appointments to connect and conference with their teacher.
Not only will the student's schedule be different, so will the teachers. The school day no longer exists. Learning, feedback, and assessment are more fluid and aligned to the natural schedules of teacher, student, and family. If you're new to this, it will take a bit of time to get used to. The "Realistic Solution to Structure" from seasoned homeschooler, Sue Wolf Patterson, may help.
cross posted at The Innovative Educator
Lisa Nielsen (@InnovativeEdu) has worked as a public-school educator and administrator since 1997. She is a prolific writer best known for her award-winning blog, The Innovative Educator. Nielsen is the author of several booksand her writing has been featured in media outlets such as The New York Times,The Wall Street Journal, Tech&Learning, and T.H.E. Journal.
