Abstract: Virtual Learning and Teaching Best Practices will explore planning and implementing virtual learning, communicating with parents and students using virtual tools, and other essential practices for online learning. This workshop is divided into five modules: Introduction and Terminology, Instructional Delivery, Curriculum and Instructional Resources, Student Progress, and Student and Family Support. Module One will provide background information and workshop agenda. In Module Two, participants will focus on lesson planning, setting up a digital classroom, and recording instructional videos. In Module 3, we will discuss digital resources to support virtual teaching and learning, student data privacy, and vetting online tools. Resources and best practices for formative assessment, small group virtual instruction, and online communication will be the focus of Module 4. Finally, Module Five looks at best practices for communicating with parents. Participants will be provided with time to collaborate with one another and interact with the tools and strategies covered in the workshop.
Objectives
The workshop’s objectives are to:
Provide an overview of the terminology and research related to virtual teaching and Learning;
Offer best practices for planning and delivering virtual instruction;
Establish guidelines for selecting digital resources;
Demonstrate multiple methods for formative assessment, small group instruction, and online communication;
Recommend methods of communication with student and parents while teaching virtual
Topical Outline
Module 1: Introduction and Terminology
Introduction
Workshop Overview and Objectives
Introduce virtual teacher personas
Terminology and Related Research
Module 2: Instructional Delivery
Lesson delivery process
Traditional vs. virtual
Synchronous vs. asynchronous
Instructional frameworks
Best Practices for planning and delivering virtual instruction
Virtual learning lesson plans
Setting up your virtual classroom
Best practices for using and recording instructional videos
Module 3: Curriculum and Instructional Resources
Digital curriculum materials
Best Practices
Learner-centered
Selecting digital resources
Guidelines for selecting digital resources
Overview of available tools
Designing instructional activities
Best practices
Technology integration frameworks
Examples of instructional activities
Student Data Privacy
Strategies for evaluating online tools for data privacy safety
Module 4: Student Progress
Formative Assessments
Best Practices
Digital formative assessment tools
Sample formative assessments
Digital Feedback
Best Practices
Characteristics of effective feedback
Tools for digital feedback
Samples of digital feedback
Small Group Instruction
Purpose of small group instruction
Best practices
Collaboration tools and considerations
Module 5: Student and Family Support
Communicating with Parents
Best Practices
Methods for communicating with parents
Instructor Websites
Tools for building a website
Samples of instructor websites
Prerequisites
This workshop is intended for course instructors who teach blended, hybrid, and/or online courses at the K-20 level and are intermediate to advanced users of educational technologies.
Experience Level
Intermediate
Qualifications
The proposed instructor is the District Training Specialist for the Educational Technology Department in a large urban school district. The instructor has served in K-12 education for over twenty-years with experience as an elementary teacher, curriculum writer, librarian, and technology coach. Over the last two years, the instructor has led the e-learning team in the development, implementation, and evaluation of professional development eCourses for over 5,000 teachers and administrators. Since July of 2020, the instructor and colleges have provided over 50,000 hours of professional development to district staff in preparation for virtual instruction this fall.
In addition to the instructor’s work in the school district, the instructor is currently working on a PhD in Learning Technologies. Research interests include personalized instruction, online teaching and learning, professional development, digital learning leadership, and school transformation. The instructor has previously presented information related to online instruction and technology integration at state and local conferences.