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.