Things to Consider when Planning for Asynchronous VIDs
By Kerri Lambert, teacher specialist, Office of Instructional Technology
The forecast is out. SNOW is on the horizon! Everyone is on the edge of their seats with the age old questions:
Wait, what?
That’s right, no longer is it a simple question of school or no school. Now the options include a traditional snow day, regular school, a synchronous virtual instruction day or an asynchronous snow day (and don’t forget the possibility of a delay!)
There’s a lot to consider in each of those scenarios, but the one teachers are the most unfamiliar with is the idea of an asynchronous lesson when students will be working independently through assignments. So what should you consider when planning for these days? Let’s take a look at a few key points that all teachers need to think about when formulating their asynchronous lessons:
When you choose the resources to share with students on asynchronous days, remember that if they are on AACPS devices, they will be filtered as if they are in school. This means if they can’t get to it in school, they can’t get to it at home. A good example of this is YouTube. Do not give your students a link to YouTube; they won’t be able to watch it and you’ll get bombarded with emails!
Speaking of videos, videos are a good way to deliver content to students, but you’ll want to ensure the students understand the key points without you there to stop and pause the video at the appropriate times. The solution? Create video quizzes using Nearpod or Discovery Education. In video quizzes, the video pauses at key points decided by you, and asks the students a question (multiple choice, poll, or short answer). Students will not be allowed to continue until they respond. Not only does this bring a level of accountability to watching, but it also allows you as the teacher to point out what you want them to learn from the video. Remember to keep videos short; research shows that attention drops off dramatically at the 6 minute mark.
Don’t want to use videos? Our online databases allow for direct linking in other programs for easy access. Pair with a fillable graphic organizer or have students create a one-pager based on their reading. Wixie would support both of these options, or check out Digital Take-Out for other templates that pair well with readings.
The next question to ask yourself is how will students show their work and express their learning? Just because you take a worksheet designed to be printed and throw it into Google Docs or Slides doesn’t make it easily completed in a digital environment!
Not all students are fluent typers, and they shouldn’t be penalized for that (for the record, that goes for any time, but that’s a soap box for another day). Not to mention doing nothing but typing answers to questions quickly gets boring and only speaks to one kind of learner. So what to do? Explore options that allow students to record audio and video responses, easily draw or write using the Chromebook’s touchscreen, or use voice typing to put text on the page. One of the best applications for this is Wixie (you were expecting me to say Google Slides, weren’t you?). Why Wixie? It has all those options built in without the need of other programs. Not to mention you can easily use their library of created templates, searchable image gallery, and import option to create interactive, creative ways for your students to respond. Did I mention you can infinitely clone objects for drag and drop activities? Bonus- student work is immediately and automatically shared with you anytime they open or create a Wixie file.
Once you have the pieces, you have to decide how to package it to give to students. The delivery format is crucial as it needs to be something that students can independently navigate. While we would love to assume that all students will have someone to help them with their schoolwork, we know this is not reality. You’ll want to choose a platform that allows for a smooth transition between teacher delivered content and student work.
You also need to consider how students will understand what to do. Remember, many students may not be able to read. This is where read-aloud or video notes come into play. If you are planning ahead (and hopefully you are if you’re reading this), you can teach all your students how to use the extension Read&Write to access written text, but other programs like Wixie, Nearpod, and Lumio have easy to use, built in read-aloud capabilities. Want to record a simple video that explains the day to students? Use a Brightspace video note. These options will ensure that all students can access your directions.
If you’re still unsure of what this all can look like, take a look at the elementary asynchronous lessons designed by OIT. We chose to use Wixie as it addressed accessibility concerns, allowed for multiple activity types regardless of age, and even allowed for locking of objects and backgrounds so students wouldn’t accidentally delete items. We could easily embed or link out to AACPS resources for content as needed.
Other good options include Nearpod and Lumio. Both allow for static content slides to be combined with interactive slides that are completed by students. This creates a seamless lesson with minimal jumping around between links, resources, and assignments. Both have drawing options, multiple choice questions, and the ability to support longer written responses. Both support importing existing Google Slides too; so if you already have those content slides done, you’re in good shape. If you go this route, make sure to go into your account settings to require students to log in with their Google account to avoid any issues (Nearpod, Lumio).
Still too much? Use the asynchronous lesson template OIT designed in Brightspace. Insert an HTML page, and select templates to find it. The template gives you a place for your outcomes, learning activities, and learning resources.
Asynchronous learning days don’t have to be overwhelming or a waste of a day. With a little planning ahead, and careful consideration of your students’ needs, you can create a dynamic lesson that students will enjoy!
The forecast is out. SNOW is on the horizon! Everyone is on the edge of their seats with the age old questions:
- How much snow will we get?
- Do I have enough toilet paper, bread, and milk or do I risk going to the store?
- Will the street get plowed?
- Will the kids have a snow day?
Wait, what?
That’s right, no longer is it a simple question of school or no school. Now the options include a traditional snow day, regular school, a synchronous virtual instruction day or an asynchronous snow day (and don’t forget the possibility of a delay!)
There’s a lot to consider in each of those scenarios, but the one teachers are the most unfamiliar with is the idea of an asynchronous lesson when students will be working independently through assignments. So what should you consider when planning for these days? Let’s take a look at a few key points that all teachers need to think about when formulating their asynchronous lessons:
Embedded Content & Resources:
When you choose the resources to share with students on asynchronous days, remember that if they are on AACPS devices, they will be filtered as if they are in school. This means if they can’t get to it in school, they can’t get to it at home. A good example of this is YouTube. Do not give your students a link to YouTube; they won’t be able to watch it and you’ll get bombarded with emails!
Speaking of videos, videos are a good way to deliver content to students, but you’ll want to ensure the students understand the key points without you there to stop and pause the video at the appropriate times. The solution? Create video quizzes using Nearpod or Discovery Education. In video quizzes, the video pauses at key points decided by you, and asks the students a question (multiple choice, poll, or short answer). Students will not be allowed to continue until they respond. Not only does this bring a level of accountability to watching, but it also allows you as the teacher to point out what you want them to learn from the video. Remember to keep videos short; research shows that attention drops off dramatically at the 6 minute mark.
Don’t want to use videos? Our online databases allow for direct linking in other programs for easy access. Pair with a fillable graphic organizer or have students create a one-pager based on their reading. Wixie would support both of these options, or check out Digital Take-Out for other templates that pair well with readings.
Expressing their Learning:
The next question to ask yourself is how will students show their work and express their learning? Just because you take a worksheet designed to be printed and throw it into Google Docs or Slides doesn’t make it easily completed in a digital environment!
Not all students are fluent typers, and they shouldn’t be penalized for that (for the record, that goes for any time, but that’s a soap box for another day). Not to mention doing nothing but typing answers to questions quickly gets boring and only speaks to one kind of learner. So what to do? Explore options that allow students to record audio and video responses, easily draw or write using the Chromebook’s touchscreen, or use voice typing to put text on the page. One of the best applications for this is Wixie (you were expecting me to say Google Slides, weren’t you?). Why Wixie? It has all those options built in without the need of other programs. Not to mention you can easily use their library of created templates, searchable image gallery, and import option to create interactive, creative ways for your students to respond. Did I mention you can infinitely clone objects for drag and drop activities? Bonus- student work is immediately and automatically shared with you anytime they open or create a Wixie file.
Delivery Format:
Once you have the pieces, you have to decide how to package it to give to students. The delivery format is crucial as it needs to be something that students can independently navigate. While we would love to assume that all students will have someone to help them with their schoolwork, we know this is not reality. You’ll want to choose a platform that allows for a smooth transition between teacher delivered content and student work.
You also need to consider how students will understand what to do. Remember, many students may not be able to read. This is where read-aloud or video notes come into play. If you are planning ahead (and hopefully you are if you’re reading this), you can teach all your students how to use the extension Read&Write to access written text, but other programs like Wixie, Nearpod, and Lumio have easy to use, built in read-aloud capabilities. Want to record a simple video that explains the day to students? Use a Brightspace video note. These options will ensure that all students can access your directions.
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Still too much? Use the asynchronous lesson template OIT designed in Brightspace. Insert an HTML page, and select templates to find it. The template gives you a place for your outcomes, learning activities, and learning resources.
Asynchronous learning days don’t have to be overwhelming or a waste of a day. With a little planning ahead, and careful consideration of your students’ needs, you can create a dynamic lesson that students will enjoy!
