Through technology, students and teachers can connect for online instruction to discuss lectures, turn in assignments, and communicate. Since lectures, assignments, and readings are all delivered online, there is no face-to-face instruction. Online schooling makes accessing and sharing information more accessible and more convenient. Instead of relying on their physical location, educators and students can join online communities of practice based on their areas of interest. If you are looking for ways to help your students learn while working online, there are some things you can do. These can include using Graphic organizers, group projects, case studies, and accommodations. The key is to find the right tools that fit your student’s needs.
Group projects
Adapting the content of a class for online delivery like an online EdD curriculum and instruction is more challenging than it sounds. For starters, there needs to be standardized time to dedicate to each student. As a result, there’s a greater emphasis on tailoring each student’s learning experience.
While this is arduous, a successful effort can go a long way toward fostering student engagement and boosting productivity among instructors. The best course of action is to devise a coherent strategy and then implement it with the utmost fidelity. Among the strategies that should come first are: adapting the classroom’s culture, improving learning outcomes, and employing innovative teaching methods. Aston University’s implementation was particularly effective. Its most noteworthy accomplishments include: a) implementing an adaptive learning platform to support online delivery, b) leveraging a blended approach to enhance the teaching-learning experience, and c) providing online study space for students in need of a quiet study space.
However, these are just the tip of the iceberg when delivering quality online education to students in resource-scarce areas. A whole world of possibilities awaits if only the research and development community could take the bull by the horns.
Graphic organizers
A graphic organizer is an instructional tool that can be used to aid in comprehension. Graphic organizers have been around for a long time and are still used by classroom teachers. Many variations make it a good fit for students with diverse learning needs. However, not all students have the same cognitive, language, or physical abilities. This is why it is crucial to plan ahead for every student.
For example, if you have a student who has severe dyslexia, you will need to modify the graphics to allow him to manipulate words on his own. You might consider using colored transparency overlays to calm the graphic print. Other possible adaptations include different size fonts for low-vision students and speech-to-text tools to ensure students can understand the lesson.
It would help if you also considered using a timer to break up long lessons into shorter chunks. It is essential to give students “brain breaks” during long instruction periods.
Case studies
In this article, the author presents several case studies focusing on adapting curriculum and instruction for the online learning environment. This article contributes empirical evidence on how to do this in resource-scarce settings. The article also outlines a generalized theoretical framework to guide curriculum adaptation.
The author applied a cross-case analysis to three action research case studies to develop the theory. Case 1 involved a university in the United Kingdom preparing to deliver business and management courses for Sub-Saharan African students. It was a hybrid course based on the UK’s blended learning model.
In case 2, the course was modified using a Moodle environment. Students were allocated to separate online rooms for small class seminars. Tutors moderated these classes.
The study also explored the use of technology to create blended learning. The authors found that a blend of face-to-face and online learning was effective in a resource-scarce context. However, the limited availability of personal computers and internet access could have improved the effectiveness of online learning.
Accommodations for students with disabilities
Accommodations are a key tool for providing equal opportunities to students with disabilities. They can help remove instructional barriers. In addition, they can help students overcome the challenges of their disability.
Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact Student Disability Services (SDS) for assistance. SDS can provide a list of accommodations that may be available. However, not all students with the same disability will benefit from the same capacities. For example, a student with a vision impairment might require alternative text formats, extended testing time, or a laptop as a word processor.
In addition to requesting accommodations, teachers should ensure that all students with disabilities are held to the same academic standards. This requires a collaborative effort between the instructor and the student’s D&A office. Once an instructor has decided to make accommodations, they should begin collecting data. The data will help monitor the effectiveness of the accommodations.
While accommodations are designed to facilitate learning, they do not change the content of assignments or tests. Additionally, they are not intended to provide an undue advantage to the user.