Virtual Learning

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by Tracey Brown, Office of Instructional Technology Teacher Specialist

Are you ready for the possibility for your school to offer virtual learning for a few days or a few weeks? Community spread of COVID is leading to staffing shortages and large numbers of students in quarantine. Neighboring districts have already made the decision to close individual schools for a period of time, and while nothing has been determined surrounding virtual learning in AACPS, we need to be prepared for a seamless transition to the virtual environment.

The good news is, if you were teaching last year, you already know how to do this! You just need to dust off that knowledge, throw in a dash of “how to do this in Brightspace” and a pinch of “what is new in my favorite applications” and you have the recipe for success.

So let’s break down some top tips to get ready for virtual learning:


1. Create your nicknamed Google Meet link(s).

Nicknamed Google Meet links provide important added security like preventing students from joining before an AACPS staff member is present in the Meet. They also prevent students from rejoining after the meeting has ended. Directions for creating nicknamed meetings, including the importance of using a unique nickname can be found on the Google Meet Directions document.


2. Share the CORRECT Meet link with students.

When nicknames are used, you cannot give students the URL or web address for the meeting. One of the ways that nicknamed meetings work is that the link behind the nickname changes every time the nickname is used. So sending the students the meeting link https://meet.google.com/123-4567-890 will allow them to get into the meeting THIS TIME, but next time, they will get a message that the meeting link is expired. Instead give them the “lookup meeting link.” The lookup link should read: https://meet.google.com/lookup/meetingnickname. For suggestions on how to share this link, see the Sharing Your Google Meet Link with Students portion of the Google Meet Directions document.


3. Plan ahead to get set up in Brightspace.

Many teachers that we talk to are using weeks as units; “Week of Jan 10-14,” “Week of Jan 17-21.” Something as simple as preloading those units now can save you time later. Keep each hidden until you are ready for students to begin accessing that content. Similarly, if you are using an agenda, you can add it now. As long as it is view only, or embedded it will update in real time as you add content to the document. Consider adding virtual learning resources  along with other important materials like your syllabus. A document on Google Meet etiquette, or directions for how to find your lesson materials are a good place to start. See the additional tips on the Teacher Support-Virtual Learning document.


4. Brush up on WHAT you will share.

Brightspace is new to all of us this year, and learning how to share resources has been a big transition, but remember that you still have options in what you share. In addition to our Google Workspace files like Docs, Slides and Jamboard, we also have Nearpod, SMART Lumio, Wixie, Discovery Education and so much more. Keep students engaged by choosing the best tool for the task you want them to do today. Resources and tutorials on digital subscriptions can be found on the Application Support pages on the Teacher Intro to Digital Tools website. Then check the If This, Then That document to see the best way to share your preferred resources through Brightspace. And don’t forget to visit the resources provided by the application publisher for information about updates to their platforms.


5. Practice, practice, practice!

Why not have a virtual learning time from your classroom? Have students jump into your Google Meet, drop a link to a collaborative activity into the chat for them, try out the polling tool, and then conclude by having them complete their portion through an assignment shared in Brightspace. It doesn’t have to be the whole class period, just 10-15 minutes is a great place to start with a little virtual learning practice for you and your students.


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