Remote, or distance, learning has improved—and it’s here to stay.
Accelerated by technological advancement and a global pandemic, distance learning has become an increasingly common alternative for students to learn from home.
In this article, we’ll explore best practices of remote learning and strategies to help with successful implementation in your school to benefit your learners.
Remote Learning vs. Online Learning
To begin, it’s vital to distinguish Remote Learning from Online Learning. Remote learning aims to recreate the in-person classroom experience in a virtual environment. In contrast, online learning is its own format, based on decades of research studies, theories, models, standards, and evaluation criteria.
At the start of the pandemic, distance learning became an essential part of student education. Schools had to adapt to a sudden and unavoidable shift in learning conditions. In the uncertain climate of 2020, administrators, teachers, parents, and students needed to make swift changes and adjust on the fly. Because of the times, we saw the mass enactment of remote learning across all levels of education.
Since then, remote learning has advanced and improved significantly. With the increased availability and understanding of technology, educators have been able to tailor their teaching to fit the needs of their students best, no matter where they are located. As educators collect more data about distance learning, they have developed best practices for engaging students and providing quality instruction in an online setting.
Keys to a Successful Remote Learning Program
To ensure successful student engagement and learning outcomes in remote or remote-hybrid settings, the New Jersey Department of Education, REL Mid-Atlantic, identified six key factors to consider:
- Instructional Technology
- Staffing and professional development
- Delivery access and use
- Family engagement
- Extracurricular activities
- Social and emotional learning
The department concluded that by including and striking a balance between these factors, schools could create the conditions for an engaging remote learning environment. And students have a better chance of succeeding with the right resources to support these factors.
Key Strategies for a Successful Transition to Distance Learning
Distance learning offers numerous benefits, such as flexibility, convenience, and cost savings for schools. However, there are specific differences that need to be taken into consideration when compared to in-person learning.
In the transition to remote learning, educators face new challenges in delivering quality education to their students and maximizing performance.
Here are some strategies educators should consider.
1. Humanizing and Personalizing Virtual Education and Remote Learning
As the most significant losses in the transition from in-person to remote learning tend to be the most “human” aspects, such as the visual and audio sensory inputs, it’s essential to make a concerted effort to humanize the virtual learning space as much as possible. This will ensure that students have access to quality education without in-person interactions.
Two ways this can be achieved is by embedding human assistants in the online learning spaces and personalizing targeted feedback.
2. Creating Engaging Content for Learners
Creating engaging content for remote learners is a challenge that must be addressed to make online learning successful. Through designing effective online course material, educators can create interactive and compelling content that will motivate remote learners and help them reach their goals.
3. Limiting Direct Instruction and Increasing Participation/Interaction
Zoom fatigue is real. Delivering information via video or lecturing should be limited to maintain the student’s attention and engagement. Be sure to include plenty of space for breakout sessions, collaboration, and independent learning time.
4. Keeping Things Simple
With the added complexity of virtual classroom activities, it’s important to be mindful of introducing new material or tasks. Too many different apps and platforms can confuse and frustrate students.
A simplified approach can help ensure students get the most out of each lesson without feeling overwhelmed with too much change.
Taking Advantage of the Opportunities Offered by Remote Learning
Remote learning has opened a world of opportunities for students and educators alike. With the right tools, they can now access a wealth of knowledge and resources from anywhere in the world without compromising the quality of their performance and learning. Moreover, students can take advantage of educational opportunities that may not have been available to them in the past. It also allows educators to provide high-quality instruction without being physically present in a classroom.
As we move forward, embracing these new technologies and maximizing the potential of distance learning is essential so that everyone can benefit from its advantages.