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Shifting To Digital: A Guide To Engaging Teaching And Assessing Remote Learners (Create Synchronous Instruction For Student Engagement And Enrichment)

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In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote learning has become the norm for students around the world. While this shift to online education has presented numerous challenges, it has also created opportunities for educators to innovate and develop new approaches to teaching and assessing students.

This guide will provide you with practical strategies for engaging remote learners and assessing their progress in a synchronous learning environment. We will cover topics such as:

Creating a positive and supportive learning environment
Using technology to facilitate engagement
Developing interactive and engaging lessons
Formative assessment strategies
Summative assessment strategies

Creating A Positive And Supportive Learning Environment

One of the most important aspects of engaging remote learners is creating a positive and supportive learning environment. This means fostering a sense of community and belonging among students, and providing them with the resources and support they need to succeed.

Shifting to Digital: A Guide to Engaging, Teaching, and Assessing Remote Learners (Create synchronous instruction for student engagement and enrichment)

by Leslie Moran

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	11080 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	495 pages

Here are some tips for creating a positive and supportive learning environment:

Set clear expectations and communicate them regularly. Students need to know what is expected of them in order to be successful. Make sure to provide clear instructions for assignments, deadlines, and behavior.
Establish routines and stick to them. Routines can help students feel more organized and less overwhelmed. Try to start and end class at the same time each day, and have a set schedule for breaks and activities.
Be responsive to students' needs. Students may need extra help or support from time to time. Be sure to respond to their questions and concerns in a timely manner.
Provide opportunities for students to connect with each other. Social interaction is important for students' well-being and academic success. Provide opportunities for students to chat with each other, work on projects together, or simply share their thoughts and ideas.

Using Technology To Facilitate Engagement

Technology can be a powerful tool for engaging remote learners. It can be used to create interactive lessons, provide students with feedback, and connect them with each other and their teachers.

Here are some ways to use technology to facilitate engagement:

Use video conferencing software to create a virtual classroom experience. This allows students to see and hear their teacher and classmates, and to participate in class discussions and activities.
Use online whiteboards and collaboration tools to allow students to work on projects together or brainstorm ideas.
Use social media platforms to create online communities for students to connect with each other and share their work.
Use educational apps and games to make learning more fun and engaging.

Developing Interactive And Engaging Lessons

Interactive and engaging lessons are essential for keeping remote learners motivated and interested. When designing lessons, consider the following tips:

Start with a hook. A hook is a brief, attention-grabbing activity or question that introduces the lesson topic.
Use a variety of activities. Don't rely on just one type of activity to teach a lesson. Mix it up with lectures, discussions, activities, and games.
Incorporate real-world examples. Students are more likely to engage with learning if they can see how it applies to their lives.
Provide opportunities for student choice. Students are more likely to be motivated if they have a say in what they learn and how they learn it.
Make sure the lessons are challenging but achievable. Students need to be challenged in order to learn, but they also need to feel successful. Make sure the lessons are not too easy or too difficult.

Formative Assessment Strategies

Formative assessment is an ongoing process that helps teachers monitor student progress and adjust instruction accordingly. It is important to use a variety of formative assessment strategies to get a complete picture of student learning.

Here are some formative assessment strategies that are effective in remote learning environments:

Exit tickets. Exit tickets are short, written responses that students complete at the end of a lesson. They can be used to assess student understanding of the lesson content and to identify areas where students need additional support.
Online quizzes. Online quizzes can be used to assess student knowledge and understanding of specific topics.
Peer feedback. Peer feedback can be used to give students feedback on their work and to help them improve their skills.
Teacher observations. Teacher observations can be used to assess student participation, behavior, and learning progress.

Summative Assessment Strategies

Summative assessment is used to measure student achievement at the end of a unit or course. Summative assessments should be aligned with the learning objectives and should be fair and reliable.

Here are some summative assessment strategies that are effective in remote learning environments: