Educators 3 Key Strategies for a Strong Start during Distance Learning

Starting the next high school year during distance learning has me nervous and troubled with questions. How do I manage labs? How do I successfully engage them and support them engaging each other? What are good distance learning norms?

There are no clear cut answers.

Let's reflect on three best practices I've picked up somewhere along my journey as an educator, speaker, and parent.

1. People don't care what you know until they know that you care

Your new crop of students won't get your well established "First Days of School" master plan. So I'd first recommend producing some kind of presentation that introduces you as a person. Moreover, find ways to integrate things you'd share on your public social media profile. If you really want to make a splash, get your whole department together to produce something fun and funny. Remind the students about your "why." And let them know that they are important to you; that their success is your success.

2. Make the first assignments an easy lift

When you want your audience to get engaged with you, make it easy to engage. Make your first assignment a tech check and a measure of their ability to engage your learning program. If they can prove their ability to log in, find the lesson, complete a simple survey, submit the assignment, and all by your deadline .... you are in good shape. Understanding what is preventing students from successfully using the academic system early on, will save you many headaches along the way. Then as things get going, increase the rigor.

3. Engage parents early either way.

Now I know this can be a rabbit hole, as some parents really over communicate. So, while you are going to have to manage communication norms, it is important to get parents (aka students' primary responsible adults) integrated into the class more than ever. We aren't there to manage them. If the students just doesn't log in, what can you do about that? But if the parent is involved, you may learn about legitimate reasons for poor performance. On the other hand, the parent can help manage their student's academics when they are updated. I would shoot for 100% parent response within the first 3 weeks. Even if the students is meeting all your expectations, give the parent their report as well. It'll pay off over time.

I don't totally know what to expect this school year. But what I do know is that kids are adaptable and resilient. But they are also short sighted. So let us work together to support a powerful new academic methodology.