Distance Learning & Remote Classrooms: The New Normal

When the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) hit hard, it forced schools to quickly adapt to distance learning in remote classrooms, or blended learning environments. The results were mixed, to say the least.

Teachers were using a mix of tools, such as Zoom or Google Classroom, tacking up chart paper, or using a variety of virtual whiteboard products. Students and parents were confused. It exacerbated the digital divide between students with the right computers and broadband and those without. There was widespread frustration for students, parents, teachers, and administrators.

With COVID-19, we didn’t have much choice to adapt and do the best we could. As educators, we learned a lot, including what didn’t work. Now, with time to plan, we have to get it right. Parents may have forgiven us for an imperfect system in these uncertain times. When schools are back in session in the fall, they will expect – and demand – that we have our act together. One thing is clear: we’ll need to have the remote learning resources we need to do the job.

The Chronicle of Higher Education reports that 73% of parents and students expect to be back in classrooms, but the rest expect distance learning or a hybrid of classroom instruction and distance learning programs.

Pros and Cons of Distance Learning

There are benefits and disadvantages when it comes to remote learning. Some students will benefit from the experience. It allows students to work at their own pace and it may be easier for them to participate in an online setting rather than speaking up in a classroom. Most students are comfortable with technology and are used to communicating online. They may be even more likely to give feedback or ask questions when they need help.

Other students may struggle with a lack of interaction typical in a classroom setting. During the “forced remote classrooms” situation in the spring, many students were relegated to read educational materials, watch videos, or click through presentations. This passive form of education can be dull and lead to disengagement. Educators did the best they could under very stressful conditions. As remote learning becomes mainstream, finding new ways to keep students engaged will be crucial.

Remote Classroom Planning for Distance Learning

Here are some of the key things that educators will need to take into consideration when planning their distance learning programs moving forward.

Provide Training for the New Normal

Teachers will need to adapt their communication skills. They may need some help brushing up on their tech skills to implement remote classrooms. With distance learning, educators are going to need to find ways to foster collaboration, provide real-time feedback, and keep in touch with students (and parents) in new and different ways.

Deploy the Right Tools

Many parents complained that different teachers used different tools. It forced parents to become IT support and many didn’t have the time or skills to adapt. Using a single tool across all remote learning programs makes it easier for everyone. Adapting to new tools can be difficult and add to stress levels and confusion.

Find the right tools and use them consistently. This lets students focus on learning the curriculum rather than trying to figure out the software.

Using a cloud-based tool can make distance learning cost-efficient for administrators. For IT staff, having one platform means less troubleshooting and easier problem-solving.

When it comes to internet connections and computers, school administrators need whatever they can to provide tools to students in need.

Stick to a Schedule

A consistent, regular schedule will help give students a sense of normalcy. It also helps teachers stay on task. Determine specific lesson plans and office hours, and stick to them.

Adapt Lesson Plans

Not only will educators need to adapt lesson plans and strategies to the new normal, but they will also need to assess student learning levels. The abrupt switch to distance learning put some students behind – especially those who were unable to fully participate in the spring.

Set Goals & Motivate Students

Getting students motivated and completing classwork is difficult under the best circumstances. When you’re managing distance learning programs, it’s even more complex. It’s crucial that you set clear goals for students so they know what is expected when things are due, and exactly what they do.

When students aren’t motivated or get frustrated in a remote classroom environment, it’s a short step to stop participating. Some schools reported that as many as a third of their students this spring stopped logging in for classes.

Manage Student Participation

As remote classrooms become the new normal, gauging student participation must change as well. When you can watch how students absorb the material, you can literally see if they understand and are doing the work. With remote learning, that can be a little more difficult.

Teachers need training and remote learning resources that allow them to see students at work, see their faces to look for learning signals, and provide individual instruction when needed – without singling out students in front of classmates.

Provide Distance Learning Resources for Teachers

Teachers will also need the right resources to provide an optimal experience for students. The right tech tools will make a big difference. They also need a way to stay connected with peers and administration to work in a collaborative way.

Remote learning can be isolating and add additional stress for educators. Whether they work from home or the classroom, this added stress can lead to burnout and anxiety. It’s important for administrators to provide the support teachers need to keep them motivated.

Keep Standards High While Managing Remote Classrooms

Given the uncertainty around COVID-19, educators should plan on virtual teaching as a necessary option for the fall term. Without the right distance learning resources, it will be difficult to maintain high educational standards whether it’s a remote classroom or hybrid learning model.

There are pros and cons to these techniques. You need to be prepared to reap the benefits of the upside and minimize the downsides of the new normal education. Technology can help you achieve this. The ideal solution is one that provides a hybrid approach.  By using one tech platform that can combine classroom management tools and enhanced video conferencing capabilities to conduct efficient remote learning.

One of the solutions available today in the market is VISO TeacherView which provides a foundation for interactive learning.

VISO TeacherView can help you continue to provide the highest standard of education to your students no matter where they are. A cloud-based platform, VISO TeacherView, allows teachers to teach and students to learn remotely while having the same seamless experience of a traditional classroom environment.

It allows teachers to discretely assist students who need help and virtually “walk” between students and see their screens and faces in real time. Teachers can monitor student activities and evaluate performance in real time, share screens and video camera feeds, provide individual or group assistance, and implement collaborative learning methodologies.

To learn more about VISO TeacherView and how it can help you manage remote classrooms click here.