Kirkwood School District

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General Information for Educators

Nothing about this experience is normal so we have to be patient, extend grace, and accept there will be challenges and missteps along the way. But we can try to normalize things as much as possible for our students, our families, and our colleagues - and it helps that strong relationships have been established already. Even the best, most experienced teachers across our planet are now being asked to do things differently, often in trying circumstances. Students who thrive on routines and/or social interactions may now be isolated, home alone for hours on end or perhaps sharing spaces with others trying to work and learn from home. We will be better when we support each other.

Initial information for our educators can be found below but clicking on "Expand All" or on the arrow next to each question.

How might online learning be the same or different than what occurs at school?
- A majority of our students and teachers are already using Schoology for workflow and communication, especially in our middle and high schools. We should not expect online learning to mirror more traditional (seated) school experiences, but these experiences will fortunately not be completely new for many of our students and teachers.
- Effective teachers are intentional in their focus on relationships and building community in the classroom. This important work must extend to online learning, as our classroom extends beyond the walls of our classrooms and schools.
- Teachers should refer regularly to their curricula - mostly housed in Schoology Courses - and the range of digital/non-digital curricular resources that are already available to us.
  - In addition to Schoology, a K-5 guidance document outlines expectations and offers possible suggestions for instruction.
  - Middle and high school teachers should also refer to their curriculum, relying on colleagues for collaboration and ideas. Please work in your teams, departments, or PLCs to determine the number of lessons you will teach and how many assignments you'll expect to be turned in by students.
- Online learning will present challenges not present with face-to-face schooling, but we should also embrace the opportunities that may come with KSD Learns Online. Teachers and students should think creatively about how this experience may yield new and even better results than in-school teaching and learning practices. When challenges arise, we should actively seek ways to problem solve and create solutions.
What are our baseline expectations for KSD Learns Online?
- Teachers will use Schoology to share learning, activities, and assignments with students, making use of recorded audio, video, and or screen captures to support instruction
- Teachers will use Schoology to collect assignments (documentation of learning) and provide feedback to students. Not all “assignments” need to be graded, as some could simply be learning experiences or activities for students to complete. Some of these student experiences may not require the use of technology.
- Teachers will communicate with students/families about learning. Communication and/or instruction options may include audio/video via Schoology or Zoom, and/or written text via Schoology or email.
- Teachers will be online and available to students and families during established times, although these times do not need to mirror a normal school day. Continue reading for additional information.
How might the day flow for students and teachers?
- Asynchronous Learning: We recommend that a majority of learning be set up for asynchronous learning, meaning students can engage in learning on their own time and complete experiences/lessons at their own pace. Direct instruction, demonstrations, mini lessons, or lectures can be recorded and posted for students to view, directly in Schoology or via Google Drive (linked in Schoology). Work can be assigned and collected within Schoology. In some cases, discussion boards might be used to assist in student collaboration. An asynchronous structure is not aligned with bell schedules or seat time.
- Synchronous Learning: There may be limited need or opportunities for students and teachers to engage in synchronous learning, meaning they will be online at the same time for real-time communication or work. Instruction could begin at set times, either “by appointment” or aligned with bell schedules and seat time in specific classes. We recommend this structure be used sparingly, as it may negatively impact students who have limited access to high-bandwidth Internet or have interruptions to their Internet service. We also cannot assume students will have parental support at any given time, should problems arise.
Is real-time instruction or live conferencing with students an option?
- Video conferencing is an option, and there are potential benefits for real-time collaboration if used wisely. After exploring numerous options, we have decided that Zoom is the best solution for teachers who wish to use real-time video or audio with students. Teachers will need to register for a free Basic account with Zoom, using your school email address. Zoom has temporarily waived the 40-minute time limit for these accounts.
- Zoom will allow teachers to schedule a meeting for a certain time OR start a meeting whenever necessary. Meeting invitation links can be shared in Schoology, giving students quick access to join your meeting at a certain time. Students do not have to create a Zoom account to join your meeting.
- The Zoom Help Center offers a number of simple tutorials, including videos to help get you started. In addition to audio and video, Zoom allows you to share your screen with viewers. This may be helpful during instruction.
- The Zoom app is available in KSD's FileWave MDM and will be pushed out to student devices. Teachers may find that it is easier to schedule Zoom meetings online, generating an invite link to share with students.
- Teachers may find the Mute All function helpful when hosting sessions with a large number of students. You can also mute new participants when they join.
- If you're hosting a large number of students in your Zoom session, consider using Breakout Rooms to engage participants in small group conversation. You can manually assign students to breakout rooms, have them assigned randomly, or you can pre-assign them before your meeting.
- Teachers who are new to Zoom and have time may want to view this 45-minute Zoom Meetings for Education webinar. It explores great tips, tools, and possibilities for teachers using Zoom with students.
- We urge teachers using Zoom to record sessions with students to your computer. Recorded videos can be shared via Schoology, for student review or for those unable to attend the live meeting. Keeping copies of these files also protects you, in the unlikely event there are questions about what took place. Please upload these videos into Google Drive, adding the file link to our KSD Zoom Video Archive. Your principal will share the link to this editable file.
What other options do we have for teaching and communication?
- Schoology offers exceptional built-in options for communication and feedback, with some limits.
- While Schoology is the preferred communication tool with families about classroom learning, we recognize that some parents and guardians may not have established these linked accounts to access their child’s learning.
- Emails sent to families can include links that may direct parents to items in Schoology or Google environments, as appropriate.
When will teachers be online to support students’ learning?
- While a majority of virtual learning will be asynchronous, we are asking all staff to be online from 10:00-2:00 each day for established “office hours.” Having this established schedule will be valuable to students and families, as they will know when teachers are available for real-time (or more immediate) guidance/support.
- In addition to being online and available from 10:00-2:00, we are also asking staff to check Schoology and email at least once each evening, recognizing that students/families may have questions or needs beyond this four-hour window. We ask for patience from our students and parents, recognizing that questions asked beyond these times may not be answered until the next day.
- Teachers are free to be online beyond these times, of course, and we trust you to make professional decisions to meet the needs of your learners.
How will we support teachers with online learning via Schoology?
- While good teaching is good teaching, it may be helpful for teachers to refer to resources regarding effective online pedagogy. Three sites with particularly useful ideas are noted below, and we encourage you to share additional resources about online pedagogy when you find them.
- Do not forget what Weston Kieschnick taught us about planning for BOLD School Blended Learning: (1) Determine the Learning Outcome; (2) Select Instructional Strategies; (3) Choose Digital Tools; (4) Plan for Success; then (5) Assess for Rigor & Relevance.
- Training modules and support materials will be accessible online for teachers and families. Some teacher courses are available in Schoology, accessible on the Kirkwood Technology Website. Additional resources are linked below.
Many educators are actively sharing resources and ideas on social media, including the Educator Temporary School Closure for Online Learning group and School Administrator Coronavirus Planning group on Facebook. You may also want to connect with educators in public Schoology groups. We encourage teachers to be thoughtful in reviewing resources, as some ideas will be fantastic and others may lack the rigor/intentionality we’ve come to expect in Kirkwood.
What support will be available to students and families?
- We plan to reboot online support with LiveChat Help Desk, which KSD has used previously to assist families and staff with after-hour help to begin school years. Our technology specialists can use this tool to provide technical support, likely from 8am-4pm each day.
- We will use Zoom to host online informational webinars/trainings for families. These will be viewable live, with recordings posted online for later use.
- Training modules and support materials will also be accessible online for families.
How can we support students, families, and colleagues with stress and anxiety during this time?
- The outbreak of COVID 19 may be stressful for our students, families, and staff. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children.
- Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. How you respond, and how we support our fellow staff members, students, and families can help minimize stress during this time.
- The CDC has provided a resource on managing anxiety and stress during this unprecedented time. We will provide additional links to various social/emotional/mental health resources to our SEL staff, including guidance counselors, SEL coaches, social workers, and other related services, and these can be shared with our families and students.
Are there options available to families who do not have WiFi access?
- We are currently working with multiple Internet carriers, exploring options for our families who may require support with WiFi and digital access to resources.
- Families in need of assistance are encouraged to share their contact information using our WiFi Request Form.
What are the expectations for early childhood educators?
- Schooling will necessarily look different in PreK, as our youngest learners do not have one-to-one devices. Administrators at KECC have been working with staff to develop plans and define expectations when children and teachers cannot physically be in school.
- Early Childhood - General Education
  - Each general education teaching team will work as a group to create three learning activities in each of the following categories:
    
    Literacy/Language
    
    Science/Math
    
    Social/Emotional
    
    Music/Movement (Motor)
  - Teaching teams are asked to work together to assign each member a category above for creating activities. Teams are asked to have one individual gather information and communicate each of the three activities to parents daily.
  - Teaching teams are asked to identify ‘office hours’ of availability to respond to parent questions and communicate the appropriate method for parents to access you at that time.
- Early Childhood - Special Education

Kirkwood School District

MyWay Premium Template

Guidance for Educators

General Information for Educators

How might online learning be the same or different than what occurs at school?

What are our baseline expectations for KSD Learns Online?

How might the day flow for students and teachers?

Is real-time instruction or live conferencing with students an option?

What other options do we have for teaching and communication?

When will teachers be online to support students’ learning?

How will we support teachers with online learning via Schoology?

What support will be available to students and families?

How can we support students, families, and colleagues with stress and anxiety during this time?

Are there options available to families who do not have WiFi access?

What are the expectations for early childhood educators?