Learning for Life

  Continuity of Instruction During Remote Learning      Continuity of instruction refers to the plan put in place by a state or school district to continue learning remotely when the in-person learning environment is disrupted.  A well thought out action plan is essential for remote learning to be effective. With the rapidly changing landscape of technology today, schools must have a clear vision for remote learning.  "The stakes are higher now than ever before for the use of technology in teaching and learning. And the pace at which that educational technology is changing—digitized, mobile, online, virtual—is much faster than in previous decades" (Consortium for School Networking [CoSN], 2014, p. 6). While many considerations are necessary for the development of a continuity of Instruction plan, I am focusing on three that I feel have the most relevance for classroom teachers like myself, accessibility, faculty support, and student readiness. Accessibility...

  Assessment in Distance Education by: Kim Blackenburg     "Assessment is defined as the process of measuring, documenting, and interpreting behaviors that demonstrate learning" (Simonson & Zvacek, 2024, p. 242). Assessment in distance education can be tricky due to lack of face to face interaction. Students must have an extremely clear vision of the instructor's expectations. "One of the characteristics of a good assessment tool is that it matches the objectives; learners know what to expect because they have already been made aware of what is important and how they will be expected to demonstrate their mastery of this knowledge or skill" (Simonson & Zvacek, 2024, p. 248) . Specific and intentional design of  a course site is critical to student success. Students must be able to clearly understand expectations and find assignment expectations easily and quickly.  " Formative and summative assessments, grades, and feedback should all be easy to find...

  Leveling Up Distance Education by Kim Blackenburg       Distance Education gained popularity since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. During that time, teachers across the world were thrust into the sometimes uncharted territory of online learning.  Teachers had to find a way to engage students but also ensure that students were learning necessary content without in person interaction. "More often, educators are using technology to increase the access of the distance learner to the local classroom and to other learners, wherever they are, to improve access of all learners to resources, and to make the experience of the remote student equivalent to the experience of the local learner" (Simonson & Zvacek, 2024, p. 27). I have had the opportunity to participate in many distance learning courses for professional development and through the Ed. S. program at the University of Montevallo. The best distance learning experiences have well communicated exp...