Virtual Learning Expectations: Treat Each Day Like a School Day

My wife is really smart and a great classroom teacher. She has excellent ideas (many I stole for this blog post) that are practical and easy to implement. I'm lucky I have her to collaborate with as we venture back into distance learning. Thanks, Lauren, for contributing so much to this post.

Tonight, I am writing about virtual learning expectations. I've said this before, elementary and secondary teachers cannot teach online the same way we would teach adult learners. When working online with young learners, we must be more explicit with our expectations, modeling appropriate behaviors at times, and create more structure around learning. 

So...let’s set the year up for success!

These tips are for parents and students. We need the parents more than ever. They are the ones who can help our students meet our expectations. I suggest making the following suggestions into a handout for your families and students. Here is an Expectations Document my wife made for her families this year.

Wake Up On the Right Side of the Bed

Students should wake up for school every day of the week and follow a routine. We want to create an environment that would be as similar to school as possible.

• Students should go to bed at a reasonable time on school nights so they can get 9+ hours of sleep.
• Students should wake up to an alarm clock! Students should be up and ready for school at least 30-40 minutes before online learning classes start.
• Students should get dressed like they would for a regular school day.
• Students should eat breakfast before classes begin. Students should not eat breakfast during a live, online lesson.

Create a Workstation at Home

Students need their own place to work that is conducive for learning. This workstation should have good lighting, be in a quiet place, have comfortable furniture, access to power, and a strong Internet signal.

• Set up a spot for your child to learn that is free from distractions (e.g., television, game rooms, etc.)
• Provide a hard surface (like a desk or table) where your child can set up materials, their computer, and still have room to read and write. (Classwork and meetings should not be conducted from a couch or a bed).
• Set up a printer/scanner. A printer will be necessary. Teach your child how to use it independently. Families can find inexpensive printers at Target and Walmart. 

Set Routines Throughout the Day

School will look different at home, but learning at home should look the same every day.

• Find a place to write down a weekly schedule with your child. Older students (grades 6-12) should utilize a print or online planner/calendar. The goal is for students to be as independent as possible and manage their day without direction from parents.
• After online lessons are over, have a plan for homework or extended study. When will projects, essays, and homework get completed? Students should work on homework, projects, and essays at the same time each day.
• Students should use planned breaks for meals, snacks, stretching, and brain breaks.

Did I mention my wife is smart? These are some ideas she and I brainstormed this week to help iron out the types of expectations our eLearners will need to be most successful. As I mentioned earlier, take these ideas and turn them into a document you send home to families. Take a look at Lauren's example.

Get more practical ideas by following this blog and following @lemasteredu and for all of your reading needs @literacyta and @quindewing on Twitter, Insta, and Facebook.