Virtual learning makes me think of a scene from the movie “Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century.” Do you remember this Disney Channel movie? It was one of my favorites. In the movie, Zenon and her fellow classmates on the space station are learning virtually with a hologram teacher in 2049. Jump forward to today and while we aren’t hologram teachers, yet. We are suddenly fully immersed in virtual learning. To help you take virtual learning from sci-fi to manageable I’ve gathered a collection of virtual learning resources for teachers.
There are a ton of resources out there and it’s hard to dig through them all. Below are some virtual learning resources that I have found helpful. As I find more resources I will update this post.
Make things less overwhelming with some great virtual learning resources for teachers
As you look through these resources don’t feel like you need to use all of them. Some of these will work for you while others will just get in your way. Use this collection of virtual learning resources for teachers like a menu to find what works for you.
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Virtual Classroom Management
As you are not in the same room as your students how you manage your classroom is clearly going to be different. In-person you can use appropriate proximity with students to manage behavior, check student progress, and increase student engagement. This technique and others are not available to you when teaching online. Instead, you are interacting with your students through online platforms, video conferences, emails, and phone calls.
We have to rethink how we handle classroom management. Having a clear classroom management plan will be vital to your success while teaching online. Our students are entering a new world of virtual learning, we need to create clear expectations and procedures to help show them the way. We can also rely on other tried and true classroom management techniques. For instance, building relationships is already a key part of a strong classroom management plan, but it is now even more important.
Resources for Virtual Classroom Management
Classroom Management Planner for Online Learning– If you have a million things on your plate then save yourself some time and purchase my Classroom Management Planner for Online Learning. It will quickly guide you through the process of creating your classroom management plan for your online classroom.
ClassDojo– This online communication platform allows you to easily stay in contact with your students and their families. It allows you to:
- Message families
- Share what students are learning
- Send messages to the entire class at once
- Help students create a portfolio of their individual learning
- Reward students for their behavior
- Give students feedback on their behavior
- Engage students in social-emotional learning
They have worked hard to create resources specifically for remote or virtual learning. This is a great way to build relationships with your students and their families. I’ve used it for years with great success. I’m very impressed with how ClassDojo has adapted its platform to fit the needs of students and educators.
Common Sense Education Digital Citizenships– As students spend more time online managing their behavior online is important. Unfortunately, we cannot oversee everything our students interact with online. Digital citizenship is important for our students to learn. So they can be prepared to engage with the online world safely. Commensense.org has free digital citizenship lessons for students in K-12. Save yourself time and use their ready-to-teach lessons.
Websites and Articles for Virtual Learning Classroom Management-
- Classroom Management Techniques That Work In-Person and Online from We Are Teachers
- How to Create Community in a Virtual Classroom from Edutopia
Related Post: How I’m Planning for Virtual and Hybrid Teaching
Related Post: How to Create a Strong Classroom Management Plan
Video Conferencing
Video conferencing with your students is one of the best ways to connect with your students. It allows you to build relationships while instructing your students. Two of the main platforms used for video conferencing are Zoom and Google Meet. Live instruction is an important part of virtual learning. Use it carefully. You don’t want to burn yourself or your students out.
Resources for Video Conferencing
Headphones with Noise Cancelling Mic– To help your students hear and understand you clearly a quality set of headphones will make a big difference. A quality headset can also help if your home is a little noisy from your own kids trying to do virtual learning at home.
Webcam– Nowadays most computers come with a built-in camera. But an external webcam can make your Zoom or Google Meet video smoother and clearer. It also offers you more flexibility, because the camera isn’t built into your computer. I have a Logitech Webcam, but it can be on the higher end cost-wise. There are also more affordable webcam options.
Extra Monitor- Do you have an extra computer monitor around the house? Having a second monitor can make things easier during a video conference. You can put the window with all of your participants on one screen. Then on your other screen, you can share what you are presenting. This way you can monitor students at the same time you’re presenting a lesson.
Distance Learning: Video Conferencing Resources– This collection of resources includes video conferencing expectations and directions for Google Meet & Zoom. Click to purchase the video conferencing resources.
Websites and Articles About Video Conferencing
- Video Conferencing: Establishing Routines and Structuring Online Time with Students by Catlin Tucker
- How to Keep Students and Staff Safe on Videoconferencing from edweek.org
Related Post: Video Conferencing with Elementary Students
Other Virtual Learning Resouces for Teachers
- Commonsense.org EdTech Ratings & Reviews
- Google Classroom
- Best Practices for Family Engagement from Google for Education
- Pear Deck
Virtual learning has fully moved from sci-fi into our everyday lives. Remember you don’t need to use all of these resources for virtual learning. Instead, pick the ones that will fit your needs and make your life easier. Which virtual learning resource(s) are you using or planning on using? Comment below!
