Reflection

I teach Self-Contain for 3rd and 4th grade (FLS). My students need simple vocabulary and lots of visual aides. We have come up with the three basic rules for our online classes. 1. to talk (when the teachers ask you something you need to turn on your mic to talk- this is the picture you need to click on). 2. mute not to talk (when teachers are done with you please mute yourself so somebody else can talk- click on the mute picture). 3. Hang up  (when class is done we need to hang up and leave the meeting- please press this button to hang up.) These three basic rules have made our students more independent. Our class meets have had great success with these three basic rules. We plan on using the same rule for all upcoming classes. 

The online norms my virtual class have chosen have been very helpful. They keep students on task at home and help with distractions. The only synchronous learning my class has been utilizing is small group tutoring sessions. Before the rules were developed my students were eating and walking around with their device and it was very distracting to the other learners. The picture cards are very helpful for my age group. 

Setting virtual rules and expectations on how our classroom will run was essential from the very beginning. It also allowed for the students to take ownership of how they want their class to run and look like. It also helped tremendously to establish our classroom culture, which made my role a lot easier because the students help each other accountable, especially when we had to rely on the chat at the very beginning. We are a team from the very beginning and it takes a team to accomplish great things. Reminding the students that they are the ones that created the rules helps to hold them accountable and take responsibility for their actions. Our "Don't lose control" rule was important to them because it can be easy to get frustrated and overwhelmed with this new way of learning. We also discussed how virtual learning wasn't for everyone and that was okay as long as you are trying and are asking for help when needed. 

The process began with ILT.  We noticed that individuals had never participated in a virtual meeting and that norms had to be established.

I hope that these virtual norms help my students learn responsibility and communication skills. My students are pre k and as we know it is sometimes difficult to have 4-5 year old sitting for a long period. Now image at home in their comfort! I hope as we introduce each virtual norm they will grow and see that it is important to give every student a change to answer. And it is important to take part in each activity we do, it is important for each student to communicate what they are thinking and feeling.

With everyone knowing the expectations, meetings are more professional and productive.