Creating Community in Online Classrooms – #ISTEsla20 Microcourse #4

The following post has been completed as part of my personal reflection as I work through the ISTE Summer Learning Academy #ISTEsla20 Any images,tables, or direct quotes (as indicated with the appropriate formatting) are provided from the specific course or webinar and can be credited to: ISTE Summer Learning Academy. (2020). https://summerlearningacademy.iste.org/

“This course is built to empower K-12 educators to build a positive classroom community, implement effective communication strategies, and facilitate collaboration in a blended or online learning environment. Explore strategies for communication, community-building, collaboration, and fun. After engaging with these four interactive modules, you will be equipped to create a positive online learning experience for you and your students!“

All resources for this course can be found HERE.

Module 1 – Establishing Modes of Communication

Essential Question	Description
In what ways can I communicate with students and families to best meet learners’ needs?	In this module, you will explore different methods for communicating and reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of each method. You will explore tools for communication, equity and access, and begin to create a communication plan.

Asynchronous communication happens over time where course content can be accessed at any time while sometimes building in guidelines such as check-in or assignment guidelines.

Synchronous communication happens at a specific time with both participants F-2-F or online at the same time.

Communication includes announcements, discussion boards, email, messaging, video conferencing, chat, social media, and collaboration tools. When you communicate please consider:

does your audience have access to the message (device, internet, etc)
are you using language that is jargon-free
are there any families who may have a language barrier

Module 2 – Building a Positive Learning Community Online

Essential Question	Description
How can I develop a positive classroom community in an online learning environment?	In this module, you will explore different methods for establishing a positive learning community online, how to establish behavioral expectations and community guidelines, and begin to create a plan for your own classroom. You will explore tools for building community, including activities related to social-emotional learning.

It is important to establish and communicate expectations and guidelines surrounding: attendance, chat/discussion boards, digital content, and video conferencing.

Build in space to help meet Social Emotional Learning needs by:

asking students how they are feeling
facilitating self-reflection
providing a space to request time to talk with an adult
building in an optional space to hold casual conversation with peers and adults

Module 3 – Fostering Student Collaboration

Essential Question	Description
How can I empower learners and facilitate collaboration in an online learning environment?	In this module, you will explore the benefits of collaborative learning, learn the when and how of student collaboration, and examine ways to increase collaboration within existing lesson plans.

Asynchronous collaboration see students working on assignments or projects together but at different times.

Synchronous collaboration sees students work on assignments or projects together at the same time.

Blended collaboration sees components of the assignment or project be added together and individually at different times.

Collaboration can be done through communication, mind-mapping, presentations, and writing.

Module 4 – Fun & Personalization in Online Learning Environments

Essential Question	Description
What makes my classroom and teaching unique and how can I incorporate that into an online learning environment?	In this module, you will explore ways to add some fun and humor into an online learning environment, including topics like avatars, emojis, memes, and social media.

Add in activities through daily challenges, photo sharing, virtual backgrounds, emojis, bitmojis, and memes. Meet your students where they are at, like TikTok.

Microcourse 4 Quiz Results

Read all of the #ISTEsla20 posts: