Communication
The successful online educator:
Establishes relationships and ensures learner success through timely and encouraging communication, using various formats.
Communicates frequently with stakeholders regarding learner progress and strategies for supporting learner engagement.
Standards:
NSQOT: D4, D6, D7
OTS: 2.3
Reflection: Explain what you have done in your professional experience to address these indicators and include reasoning for why you chose this evidence.
D4
When I was working for NCVPS as a virtual French teacher I was required to respond to all communication (text, email, LMS message and phone) within a 24 hours time frame or sooner. Most if not all communication was done within the school day and documented in our personal communication journals. Other approved methods of communication included virtual meeting spaces and collaborative planning documents. This semester I have used zoom, phone and text for synchronous communication for my weekly office hours. For asynchronous communication I used email. At the beginning of the course I sent a message to parents giving them my cell number, encouraging them to text or call anytime for updates or any questions they had. Parents were also given my email as another means of communication.
D6
Screencasts are a great resource to use to teach difficult or confusing concepts. They are also great for helping students know how to navigate the course. I often use screencasts as a quick response to a question students and parents have. Most of my screencast go in Announcements, where I direct students and parents to check regularly. In my course Announcements are used as a means of communication that I refer to as the white board where the teacher in a traditional setting will write important notes, updates and anything else the learner needs to know. In my announcements I poste due dates, external links for supplemental practice including Spanish children’s songs, reminders and collaborative tools for students to post and connect with each other. I also use the grade book option to send messages to students who have not completed an assignment and I like the message ‘inbox’ in Canvas. One area I need help with is using Maestro. I know how to send out bulk messages to all students though I would like to know how to send a message to students by course.
D7
I use the grade book as a means of communication, with the dropdown option on an assignment to send a message to students who have not completed the activity. When contacting parents I also use analytics to view student progress. In the past I have taken a screenshot, cropped out the student name and sent to parents of students that are inactive or very behind. I understand communicating with all stakeholders and doing so within a timely manner though I am not sure where the messages are going for some of the recipients within a Maestro email. Example, I understand whom the message is going to if I select ‘student, guardian and school counselor though I’m not sure exactly who is receiving the message if I select something like ‘advisor, home study, main contact, organizational leader, test facilitator and super administrator.
Where are you now in reaching mastery of these indicators? Explain your reasoning.
Approaching / Meeting / Exceeding
I am meeting mastery in regard to the communication indicator. I am quick to respond to student and parent messages. Parents also have my phone to call and text me during the school day. They may also contact me outside of school hours though this rarely happens. I use screencasts to answer questions on navigating the course and Announcements to post due dates, give updates, post meetings and give external links to supplement lessons. One area would like help in is knowing more about Maestro.
Communication through Announcements: Screencast
Grade book and sending messages
Email in Maestro
Welcome Email
Text Communication