Distance Learning: Best Practices and Resources

What is the difference between emergency remote teaching and distance learning? How do we know which are the best tools to use when we have another term that requires distance learning? What are the best practices to develop effective and meaningful experiences for our students during remote teaching? How do I strategically plan my distance learning classes to optimize my time with the students? What do we mean by blended and hybrid classes? 

The lessons learned during COVID19 provide opportunities to re-envision what schools can be.  Now efforts have to be made in developing a practical path.  So, what might this look like going forward? 

These questions and so many more arose during the period of reflection at the end of the school year after a spring of pivoting from in-person to digital teaching.  What are the best practices for ensuring that our next distance learning term will be intentionally planned while meeting the communication, education, and relationship needs of our students and families?

Our goal was to create a navigable resource that shares pedagogy for distance learning which when intentionally and strategically planned will look different from the emergency remote teaching of the spring term along with practical applications. The Wheeler/Hamilton Virtual Learning Team of teachers has spent the summer reading the feedback shared by you and your students, sifting through the information, participating in webinars, and trying technology tools to create a guide that highlights best practices for creating a blended classroom. You will notice that many of these guidelines can be incorporated into your "real-time" classes, helping students develop habits of learning and familiarity with the technology you use, making the transition to a distance learning term seamless and effective.  Our guiding principle was to make the website accessible and practicable. 

As you plan for September and into this upcoming school year the most important practice to consider is establishing consistent and reliable communication with your students, their parents, and your colleagues using digital and multi-modal formats from the first day. The emphasis placed on relationships through advisory and class meetings continues to be a defining philosophy behind Wheeler/Hamilton's blended and distance learning planning. Finally, we do not anticipate that the website will be processed as a whole. We believe we have included just the right pieces of information, technology tools, and exemplars to get you started with your plans for distance learning as you embark upon this opportunity to re-envision what school can be. Thank you, 

The Virtual Learning Team