Supporting and Engaging Online Learners Marisa Greco and Denise Decheck Waterfront Learning February 11th, 2014

How Can We Give Every Student a Front Row Seat? - Kevin Honeycutt - Pete & C 2014

Today’s goal is to be closer to answering the following question… How can we promote, encourage, and support online academic success like we work so hard to do in brick and mortar classrooms?

The students are not alone! Districts Administration Teachers Special Education Teachers Guidance Counselors Online Teachers Parents

Myth or Fact? Myth - Online learning is easier than brick and mortar Fact - It takes discipline and support to be successful in the online environment. The online environment is one to one versus being one in a classroom of thirty.

Myth - I work when I feel like it and don’t have to work every day. Fact - In order to maintain successful academic performance, students must work regularly in their courses. Myth or Fact?

Myth - No one is watching what I am doing. Fact - Effective teachers monitor students daily and respond to ALL communication. Teachers are required to monitor daily activity and log-in time. Myth or Fact?

Supporting the student: DISTRICTS Districts and parents must work together to determine if cyber learning is the right fit for the student. For example: Does the student have a good environment to work in? Will the students’ needs be met and what supports will we put in place for the student? Why is this the best placement for this student? Consistently enforce policies and procedures

Supporting the student: PARENTS Provide a safe environment for students to complete their work Support the district and teachers by encouraging students to have open communication and be disciplined in their work Maintain academic integrity

What we do in support of the student: PROGRAM TEACHERS Complete Academic Achievement Plans to set goals and create a plan for student success. Either grade promotion or return to brick and mortar. Goals must be SMART Goals Specific - Measurable - Action Oriented - Realistic & Relevant - Time-Based GET TO KNOW YOUR STUDENTS!!

Tiered Intervention Tier I: Completion of the AAP and goal setting Teacher Level Tier II Goals not met Recommendation for Intervention District and family contact Tier III Mediation meeting Specific plan is created to determine placing All stakeholders are in attendance

To support the goal of student achievement, we have asked that teachers: Look at the content through a new lens keeping in mind that the content is the same but the way it is presented is different and …

The teachers need to ask themselves… How can I reach EVERY student with this lesson? How can I ENGAGE EVERY student in this lesson? How can I bring new and innovative ideas into my online environment? What tools do I need to engage the students? How can I get the students to the point where they WANT to participate in their courses every day?

So…what can I do? Create a form to collect information about your students? Similar to the AAP. Communicate with your students at least weekly and expect a response through personal communication. Respond to your students needs within 24 hours. Check your students progress every day. Engage your students! Live sessions Chat Calls

DON’T GIVE UP!!

Take-aways: Facilitating is NOT teaching Each student must be taught differently through the use of various tools Create a plan to fit the student not the curriculum Get each student to the front row!

Contact information Marisa Greco - Denise Decheck -