Enhancing Communication during Digital Learning with Colleagues
Communication during digital learning can be an obstacle, but not an insurmountable one.
This series of posts will outline ways to communicate with various stakeholders (parents, administrators, and students) during digital learning as well as share what type of information to communicate.
Although digital learning looks different for everyone right now during Covid-19 shutdowns, the truth is no one is exempt from digital learning in some form or fashion. Distance learning is here to stay for the foreseeable future which means we better figure out how to make it successful.
Enhancing communication is essential to continue on a path of learning and growth for stakeholders like administration, colleagues, students and parents.
Enhance Communication with Colleagues
-
- Ask what’s working and watch to replicate– Great teaching strategies shouldn’t be a secret. A student in one room should not be at an advantage or disadvantage depending on the teacher in front of the room. Great teachers collaborate. Ask what other’s in your grade level or subject area are doing. Catch a video demonstration so you can replicate it in your own instructional methods.
- Planning and brainstorming sessions– Come together often with your colleagues to plan upcoming lessons, brainstorm ideas for future instruction or overcoming specific challenges. [bctt tweet=”A collective mind is more powerful than an individual one.” username=”gschultek”] Be sure to swap materials that you are using and finding success with as well as any new learning you have acquired.
- Group chat sessions– It’s acceptable to chat with each other in more informal situations. Create a way to stay in touch with your colleagues to vent, share and celebrate each other. The support you provide each other is immeasurable to your sanity and growth.
- Invite to collaborate– You might be the leader in your classroom, but that doesn’t mean you have to lead alone. Invite another teacher into a lesson if their expertise could be of benefit. Co-teaching or spotlighting a guest speaker could bring new life to a classroom. Students will love learning from someone else for a change.
Consistent, on-going communicating with stakeholders during remote learning is of utmost importance to make the school year successful for all. Using communication tools like Google Meet, Skype, Zoom and FaceTime are great for connecting face-to-face in a virtual world. Using Voxer, email, and text are helpful to staying connected on a daily basis through voice or print.
Whatever tool or strategy you employ, enhancing communication during remote learning is the goal to success for everyone involved.
Need resources for communicating with colleagues? Click here.
How are you communicating with colleagues during remote learning?
About the author, Gretchen
I am a teacher trainer and coach. Working elbow to elbow with teachers and teacher leaders to ensure instructional proficiency and student achievement soar lights me up. We have a real need in our nation for strong educators to remain in the field. My blog, book, podcast, courses and instructional materials are geared towards empowering teachers (and those that lead them) to receive the support needed to grow and thrive today, tomorrow and always.