Classroom management for distance learning – what are the mistakes and how to avoid them

What does classroom management look like for distance learning? What does classroom management look like for hybrid or transition to in person learning?

The cornerstone of classroom management (especially this back to school season) is your students and classroom community, BUT so important to remember this point below. Sarah said it better than I ever could – it’s one to think on!

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C • O • N • T • R • O • L : We are all grasping for any sense of control in our lives right now – in a time where so very many things are out of our control. It’s human nature. But it’s also what we must fight against when we are in a position to exert that control over others.⠀ ⠀ At the beginning of a normal school year, many – maybe even most – teachers set rules, norms, or agreements. Ideally they’re co-constructed; research tells us that’s best practice. In any form, though, these rules, norms, and agreements are a form of control. Rules are controlled largely by the teacher, norms and agreements more so controlled by the learning community.⠀ ⠀ This is not a normal school year, particularly for those students, families, and teachers that will be engaging in distance/virtual/digital learning. We must examine all of our practices in light of this. But particularly this: control.⠀ ⠀ A student’s home is not our classroom. A student’s living space is not our classroom. A student’s daycare or childcare provider’s space is not our classroom. Full stop.⠀ ⠀ In so many ways, we already control students and their families in unhealthy ways due to the nature of the public education system AND the racism, xenophobia, classism, etc. inherent within it. We have an opportunity to break that cycle in distance/virtual/digital spaces.⠀ ⠀ We must recognize that we are not in our classrooms anymore. When a student logs in to Zoom or Google Meet or Canvas or Google Classroom or or or… they are in effect inviting us into their life in ways that they never have before. They are inviting us into their personal space. Their family or their caregiver’s personal space.⠀ ⠀ We do not get to dictate how they exist in those spaces.⠀ ⠀ We do not get to force them to have their cameras on. Or use their microphones. Or “be free of distractions.” Or refrain from eating/drinking. Or sit still and not move around.⠀ ⠀ This entire situation is traumatic enough without having an adult – that they likely do not know – demand these things of them in what should be THEIR space. Which hopefully feels safe to them.⠀ ⠀ Please, please, PLEASE think twice before asking/demanding that of them.

A post shared by Sarah Plum (she/her) (@sarahplumitallo) on Jul 29, 2020 at 7:35pm PDT

What are successful strategies for classroom management even distance learning?

With this frame of mind or lens if you will classroom management can only go so far and built firmly on the foundation of classroom community and student relationships! Distance Learning Classroom Community can be done!

This list really has some great ideas to get started. Like really start there…building classroom community is THE. MOST. IMPORTANT and easy ways to do that even distance learning. The strategies for classroom management are easy to implement and keep students engaged while not demanding how they act in their space.

Use Distance Learning rewards in your virtual classroom management

This list of rewards is perfect for distance learning and keeps students motivated.

Focusing on working toward distance learning rewards as a class and not on specific behavior can motivate students!

Do not reward if everyone is acting a certain way or showing up but even:

• % of attendance to synchronous learning
• cycle through special days with teacher (everyone would get a turn)
• start off class with songs, dance, or jokes

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This year, we have to get creative with how we can keep students motivated and working as a team while building classroom community. Working towards a common goal improves morale and keeps learning engaging! In these tough times, we cannot forget the fun! You can read more detail about each of these (mostly free!) activities TheSassyAppleTpT.com

A post shared by Molly 2nd grade (@thesassyapple_) on Jul 30, 2020 at 5:34pm PDT

All of these reward ideas for distance learning can be done wihout rewarding behavior and incorporated into student engagement and motivation.

Providing students have access to the required technology and platforms creating engaging lessons for content and building relationships are the single most important “to do” for online classroom management.

If you are ready to plan engaging lessons and take your content to the next level (especially if you are starting virtual!) then make sure you have checked out this Distance Learning Engagement Workshop.

You’ll benefit, having a cornerstone for planning and engaging students which is something you CAN control- since so many pieces we cannot.