Distance Learning Posts
100 Great Questions for the ‘Turn Your Camera On If’ Game
The Turn Your Camera On If game has become very popular over the past year and a half. The game is also frequently called Camera On Camera Off and can be played on Zoom or other virtual platforms with camera access. Teachers, trainers, counselors, and youth group...
Let’s Go! Ten of the Most Amazing Virtual Field Trips
Field trips are one of the great joys of school for many students. They get to leave school and generalize learnings by interacting with artifacts, witnessing demonstrations, or meeting with experts. Unfortunately, COVID has denied opportunities to visit...
10 Powerful Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do on Zoom
Here are 10 easy tips and tricks that will take your next Zoom meeting to the next level.
Highlighting Some ‘How To’ Videos that Will Energize Your Virtual Instruction
Great teachers often pause to review previously discussed content with students. This is done, in part, to ensure that important concepts don't get forgotten or lost in the shuffle of other content. To this point, I am going to bring back a few helpful Visionary...
Your Students Will Love Using the Stamp Tool During Zoom Lessons.
Annotation Tools, including the Stamp Tool, on Zoom and other virtual platforms tend to be underutilized. These tools can be very powerful and versatile. The greatest benefit is that they allow all students to be actively engaged in learning at all times. If we rely...
How to Enhance Would You Rather Games on Zoom
Would You Rather is such a popular classroom game that many teachers are seeking ideas for how to play it online with their virtual learners. We have previously offered step-by-step instructions detailing how to play Would You Rather virtually with your students....
Check Out These Amazing Ideas for Virtual Breakout Rooms
While educators continue to hone their virtual teaching skills, breakout rooms remain one of the most underutilized features on Zoom and other platforms. Let's explore how teachers can leverage breakout rooms to promote small group work and much needed social...
These Strategies are Guaranteed to Make Your Asynchronous Instruction Meaningful
Asynchronous learning has certainly become more common in light of the 2020 COVID reality, but it may remain a part of public education going forward. Many students are actually thriving during virtual instruction. Another thing to consider is the...
How to Take Authentic Student Data During Virtual Instruction
Educators are constantly finding new ways to provide students with the quality instruction that they need. But what do the teachers need? One of the biggest concerns that I hear from educators in the field involves their ability to collect data for virtual...
An Innovative Way to Show Videos During Virtual Teaching
Showing short video clips during virtual teaching can be beneficial. The trick is to ensure that you have an activity planned around a video that will keep your students actively engaged. This idea offers opportunities for students to interact, make...
5 Soft Openers That All Virtual Teachers Should Know
Soft openers are pre-planned activities that take place before class officially starts. These activities typically take the form of games and can be utilized in virtual or face-to-face environments. This blog post will focus on virtual soft openers. ...
Scavenger Hunt! Energize Your Class with this Ultimate Virtual Brain Break!
When we are teaching in a face-to-face classroom, it is always a great idea to utilize a Brain Break when needed. Virtual Learners also need opportunities to recharge and re-energize. Some folks might even argue that such activities are even more...
How To Play ‘Would You Rather?’ During a Virtual Lesson
Would You Rather? is both a classic ice breaker game and a powerful educational activity. I find that many teachers are aware of Would You Rather?, but have not considered how it can be used academically. The rules are simple. The...
How to Entice Students to Turn Their Cameras On During Virtual Instruction
Teachers tend to want students to turn their cameras on during synchronous virtual instruction. Unfortunately, many teachers find that their students prefer to leave their cameras off for one reason or another. Having cameras on during class immensely increases the...
Simple Tools for Dynamic Virtual Instruction
Many of us prefer the face-to-face, personal interactions afforded by a typical school year. Unfortunately, none of us are experiencing a typical school year. While we may find ourselves in less-than-ideal situations right now, the very traits...