I haven’t posted recently so this post comes on the back teaching and learning practices that have been refined due to #Covid19.
I am of the belief that as an educator learning in online spaces as well as the classroom should be equitable and easily accessible. Classrooms comprise of diverse learners that include diversity in ethnicities and learning needs.
#Covid19 will highlight these for us as we return to teaching and learning online in term 2. I use a number of 0365 applications and I will highlight what works for me:
Microsoft Teams and 0365 apps
- a free LMS
- includes Immersive Reader which is a “free tool, built into Word, OneNote, Outlook, Office Lens, Microsoft Teams, Forms, Flipgrid, Minecraft: Education Edition and the Edge browser, that implement proven techniques to improve reading and writing for people regardless of their age or ability” (Microsoft blog)
- contains Classnotebook that allows teachers to facilitate effective online spaces.
- Assignments submissions and grading
- MS Teams provides an excellent workflow in the cloud. Documents/files can be stored in Onedrive.
- Powerpoint is a presenter tool on steroids for me. My favorite updates include captions, screen recording, uploading to Stream, and design ideas tab selects cool themes for your presentation
- Translate functions in most 0365 allows me to communicate with my ESOL students effectively breaking down language barriers.
- Online meetings in MS Teams are stable, safe and allow for recording that can be shared for later use. I love the blur function that allows for increased privacy.
- Live Events in MS Teams allows
- Add-ins tab within Teams allows you to keep your favorite add-ins within one LMS
- Insights gives you an overview of how your students are interacting with posts
- Posts tab provides for a news and announcement feed to your audience
If you would like to learn more I would highly recommend the following resources that have been created by Microsoft to support you as an educator:
- aka.ms/amasway
- https://t.co/PIxL5W93eX?amp=1
Most importantly less is more. Keep your instructions precise and communicate often. All the best with online learning!!