Connecting While Offline (Asynchronous Learning) - (18 Minutes)

Providing Consistency and Structure

Please watch the video embedded into the thinglink image. The image has multiple interactive pieces that allow you to watch a video, read information, or view an image.

Communication

Please watch the following video. Note the different techniques teachers are using to keep communication with students and how they are doing it or plan to do it.

As seen in the video, it’s going to take some thinking outside the box to figure out the best techniques for that two-way communication we hope to get with students. Some things to point out when communicating with students is that it's important for them to know how and when they should be communicating with you. As we’ve learned so far, maintaining consistency is going to be key for how successful students will be when asked to complete tasks and attend class. 

Tips for Communicating with Students Synchronously:

Emergency

Method:
Consider using a texting app (ex. Remind)

Tip:
Personalize your communications
Ex. Starting the message with their name
Question

Method:
Ex. discussion boards

Tip:
Set some non-structured time to get to know your students through asynchronous discussions
Extra Help

Method:
Ex. Direct email, or optional office hours

Tip:
Be respectful, mindful, and supportive in your messages
Ex. short clips of fun, positive messages weekly (see video Links to an external site. below)
Just for Fun

Method:
Ex. Have open video chat hours for students to pop in

Tip:
Saying hello and checking in
Ex. See video Links to an external site. below

Saying hello and checking in (1 min)

Positive messages weekly (2min)

Clear and Quality Feedback

Please navigate through the thinglink by clicking on the pulsing
icons on the image. The image includes an article of information, tips and
suggestions for student and teacher feedback.

Putting it All Together: UDL and Building Relationships

UDL takes practice and one thing that can help you plan is thinking of learner variability. You know you’re going to have students who are either visual, kinesthetic, or auditory learners, so you are able to plan on how you'll make that available to them. Asynchronously this may be done by providing multiple ways to access materials, by providing students with different modalities to demonstrate their understanding/learning and giving  timely and specific feedback to monitor students' progress towards the learning goal. When working with students of special needs, English as a second language, or students with rudimentary technology skills it is important to incorporate something they already know with something new you are trying to teach. Please watch this short video.

Getting to know your students helps you build lessons that are engaging and relevant.

Using UDL strategies will enable you to create lessons that caters to the needs of all your students: Special needs, English learners, etc.
Using interactive educational platforms that provide an asynchronous option will keep students engaged, whether they have to manipulate an icon, watch a video, type a response or respond to a multiple choice question.

 

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