As it is done in the traditional classroom, we must be prepared for the different kids of distance learners that will be in our classroom. Modifications and accommodations will be suggested by your mentors and curriculum directors. Students with special needs will receive additional tech support to properly set up their online classrooms. There will be a special training session to address different accommodations that can be made for different learning needs - some may include different format of handing in assignments, web conferences and calls. For now, we will honor the differentiated instructions philosophy of the district and remind students of how diversity enriches our online classroom.
Students have already been assessed for prior learning, content mastery, and digital literacy levels and have been placed in tiered classes. The specific details of your class type and students will be discussed with your mentor in you first session.
Classroom Management Solutions and Issues
Challenging Behaviors
BE PREPARED! Though we always hope it will not happen in our class, it is important to anticipate challenging behaviors such as:
Cyberbullying
Inappropriate Comments
Google Classroom allows you to erase any inappropriate comment made by a student and even mute them in the classroom, however, this is only a temporary solution. If there is a student who is making inappropriate comments or bullying a classmate online, it must be immediately reported to the student counselors and administrators. The advantage is the online system rigorously documents all comments and student interaction.
LACK OF PARTICIPATION
The fist step is to understand why the student is not participating. As an instructor make sure that you are actively modeling participation, and clear expectations have been set early in the class. If the student has documented special needs to consider, contact your mentor.
Here is an great read on understanding online student participation:
Title 5 of Americans with Disability Act (ADA) makes it clear that online classes must fulfill the requirements of the ADA and section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act: “Distance education means instruction in which the instructor and student are separated by distance and interact through the assistance of communication technology. All distance education is subject to the general requirements of this chapter as well as the specific requirements of this article. In addition, instruction provided as distance education is subject to the requirements that may be imposed by the American with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. §12100 et seq.) and section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.”
Tips:
Always consider the special needs of your students.
Do not use decorative fonts - Classic fonts are easier to read.
Include CC or subtitles in your instructional videos
Try to select material that is easily accessible and user friendly.
