January 2021

Strategies and Resources for Engaging Learners in a Digital Environment

Who We Are…

Dr. Bo n n ie Ha inSr. Director for Learning and Professional

Services –ACT, Inc.

Ms. Alia Knight -DahlClassroom Teacher –

Frederick County Public Schools, and

Blended Learning and Personalized Learning

Instructor –Hood College

Dr. Nancy LewinSr. Director with the Center for

Equity and Learning –ACT,

Inc.

Dr. Patricia BeadleSr. Content and

Assessment Developer for Learning and

Professional Services –ACT, Inc.

In Your Career…

• What has been your greatest success?

• What has been your greatest challenge?

Re s o u rce sSh a r in g Id e a s

Agenda1. How can we define student

engagement and monitor it in digital learning environments?

2. Are there cultural factors that may impact how students engage in learning in these environments? How can I respect diverse learners and ensure equity in learning?

3. How can teaching SEL skills increase student engagement?

4. How can use of blended learning (adaptive learning platforms) increase student engagement?

Ms. Alia Knight-DahlClassroom Teacher – Fre d e rick Cou n ty Pu b lic Sch oo lsBle n d e d Le a rn in g a n d Pe rson a lize d Le a rn in g In st ru c to r – Hood Co lle ge

How can we define student engagement and monitor it in digital learning environments?

Engagement in a digital format may not look like engagement in a traditional setting.

How can we define student engagement and monitor it in digital learning environments?

Asynchronous vs Synchronous

Are there cultural factors that may impact how students engage in learning in these environments? How can I respect diverse learners and ensure equity in learning?

Don’t sweat the small stuff• Students eating and lying down• Students may have additional

responsibilities in the home (babysitting etc.)

• Cameras and Microphones may be off

• Students’ homes may not be an issue of Home and Garden

How can teaching SEL skills increase student engagement?

• When you establish a relationship as a trusted adult

• “Buy in” happens for students when they know you care

• Teach self -advocacy, time management, and coping strategies

How can the use of blended learning (adaptive learning platforms) increase student engagement?

Give students…• Choice in how they

demonstrate their learning• Variety to break up monotony• Opportunities to take

advantage of distance learning environments

Educators should…• Use goal setting strategies• Allow students to design ways

to demonstrate mastery• Provide timely feedback that is

meaningful and actionable• Change up activities• Plan for offline tasks

Dr. Nancy LewinSr. Director with the Center for Equity and Le a rn in g – ACT, In c .

How can we define student engagement and monitor it in a digital learning environment?• Student engagement

in a virtual setting is directly linked to a student’s degree of attention, interest, optimism and curiosity expressed by their level of active participation.

• It calls for a student being present in the moment and open to receive and immerse themselves within the virtual setting.

How can we define student engagement and monitor it in a digital learning environment?

Focus on needed learning interventions and extensions

01 03 05

02 04 06

Colle c t stu d e n t d a ta

In fo rm ou r in st ru c t ion a l im p rove m e n t

Provid e e q u ita b le a ch ie ve m e n t

Gu id e th e a sse t -b a se d a p p roa ch , le a rn in g style /m od a lity

Provid e fe e d b a ck

• Ask a check -in and checkout question for the day • Student can use a personal playlist/movie list or meme

that best represents how they are feeling to monitor their feelings

• Build in survey time• Use a shared document for communication and

feedback to enhance student & teacher connection• Student can use a personal playlist/movie list or meme

that best represents how they are feeling to monitor their feelings

Ho w ca n w e d e fin e s t u d e n t e n g a g e m e n t a n d m o n it o r it in a d ig it a l le a rn in g e n viro n m e n t ?

How can we define student engagement and monitor it in a digital learning environment?

Group Discussion Clear product expectation doc

Use chat box for student input/feedback, opinion

Include variety of mixed media: video, visual representations,

Asynchronous activities/work Survey, polls

Use capability/apps: idea generation, brainstorming, mind mapping, reverse brainstorming etc …

Virtual representation models: number pieces number rack, number line, number frames, graphing calculator, etc…

Virtual Libraries: manipulatives, calculators, locations, etc…

Gamification: points, collectibles, meme of the day

Synchronous group documents Surprise game that includes for content support

Breakout rooms Choice menu & variety of product

Are there cultural factors that may impact how students engage in learning in these environments?

• Need for virtual nature of the class to increase student feeling of connection and engagement

• Understand your students• Incorporate different teaching styles• Equal access to opportunities• Celebrate diversity• Encourage differing perspectives• Include diverse learning materials• Appreciating and valuing diversity

• Today’s schools are increasingly multicultural and multilingual with students from diverse social and economic backgrounds.

• Educators and community agencies serve students with different motivation for engaging in learning, behaving positively, and performing academically.

• Social and emotional learning (SEL) provides a foundation for safe and positive learning, and enhances students’ ability to succeed in school, careers, and life.

Are there cultural factors that may impact how students engage in learning in these environments?

How can I respect diverse learners and ensure equity in learning?• Reflect on your own beliefs• Reduce race and gender barriers to learning • Establish an inclusive environment early • Be dynamic with classroom space• Accommodate learning styles and disabilities• Be mindful of how you use technology• Be aware of religious holidays• Include a diverse

curriculum/resources/activities

Ho w ca n I re s p e c t d ive rs e le a rn e rs a n d e n s u re e q u it y in le a rn in g ?

• Learn your students’ background, interests, strengths and learning style• Create opportunities for students to get to know one another and gain an appreciation for the

diversity they bring and their uniqueness• Increase access to different role models and people as a resource so that students can

connect with a varied cultures• Have students help to create a safe classroom/virtual classroom standard/norms• Engage in building -up peers in learning• Create a safe and welcoming space• Help students not feel out of place• Acclimate students to a culturally diverse world• Lift up the value of the cross -cultural class• Increase perspective of diversity

Ho w ca n I re s p e c t d ive rs e le a rn e rs a n d e n s u re e q u it y in le a rn in g ?

• Provide students with evidence that people who don’t look or act like them are still people just like them.

• Teach this viewpoint by building a culture of learning from one another rather than a culture of passing judgment on differences in values and beliefs.

• Provide students a variety of opportunities to share stories of their home life, such as family holiday practices, provides fellow students with a window into their peer’s cultural traditions to help students recognize the essential humanity and value of different types of people.

• Teach students to embrace their own culture and heritage• Embrace cultural individuality helps students understand their worth and feel appreciated.• Build cultural awareness• Build -in inclusion for greater understanding and empathy

How can teaching SEL skills increase student engagement?

• Increase the feeling of self -acceptance and belonging

• Learn stress management skills

• Increase student engagement and motivation

• Increase empathy for peers, reduction in bullying

• Reduce absenteeism

• Increased mastery of coursework

Dr. Patricia BeadleSr. Content and Assessment Developer fo r Le a rn in g a n d Profe ssion a l Se rvice s –ACT, In c .

http://www.cast.org/our -w ork/a b ou t -u d l.h tm l# .X1o iNJ5KiUl

Ho w ca n w e d e fin e s t u d e n t e n g a g e m e n t a n d m o n it o r it in d ig it a l le a rn in g e n viro n m e n t s ?

Ho w ca n w e d e fin e s t u d e n t e n g a g e m e n t a n d m o n it o r it in d ig it a l le a rn in g e n viro n m e n t s ?

Clarify and share learning in te n t ion s a n d c rite ria fo r su cce ss.

En g in e e r e ffe c t ive c la ssroom d iscu ssion s, q u e st ion s, a n d le a rn in g ta sks.

.

P rovid e fe e d b a ck th a t m ove s le a rn e rs fo rw a rd .

Ac t iva te stu d e n t s a s t h e ow n e rs o f t h e ir ow n le a rn in g .

. Ac t iva te stu d e n t s a s in st ru c t ion a l re sou rce s fo r on e a n o th e r.

.

Le a rn in g

Ass

essm

ents

sh

ould

…

Instructors now have a rare opportunity to create a culture t h a t ca n su p p ort st u d e n t e n ga ge m e n t u sin g a d ig ita l le a rn in g e n viron m e n t b y su p p ort in g :• m u tu a l re sp e c t (b e tw e e n in st ru c to r a n d stu d e n t s, a n d

e sp e c ia lly b e tw e e n stu d e n t s)• op e n n e ss to d iffe rin g vie w s a n d op in ion s• e vid e n ce -b a se d a rg u m e n t a n d re a son in g• m a kin g le a rn in g e n ga g in g a n d fu n• m a kin g exp lic it a n d e n cou ra g in g th e u n d e rlyin g va lu e s

a n d e p iste m olog y o f a su b je c t d isc ip lin e• t ra n sp a re n cy in a sse ssm e n t (e .g . ru b rics a n d c rite ria )• re cog n it ion o f a n d re sp e c t fo r t h e p e rson a lit ie s o f e a ch

stu d e n t in t h e c la ss• co lla b ora t ion a n d m u tu a l su p p ort

Are there cultural factors that may impact how students engage in learning in these environments?

How can teaching SEL skills increase student engagement?Social -e m ot ion a l le a rn in g is th e p roce ss th rou g h w h ich ch ild re n a n d a d u lt s a cq u ire a n d e ffe c t ive ly: • a p p ly th e kn ow le d ge , a tt itu d e s, a n d skills

n e ce ssa ry to u n d e rsta n d a n d m a n a ge e m ot ion s

• se t a n d a ch ie ve p osit ive g oa ls• fe e l a n d sh ow e m p a th y fo r o th e rs• e sta b lish a n d m a in ta in p osit ive

re la t ion sh ip s• m a ke re sp on sib le d e c ision s

Ho w ca n t e a ch in g SEL s k ills in c re a s e s t u d e n t e n g a g e m e n t ?

St u d e n t Te a ch e r

• boosts social -emotional skills• improves attitudes about self, others,

and school• positive classroom behavior• lifts achievement on standardized tests

11 percentile points• lifts teacher retention rates

• fewer conduct problems• less emotional stress• lower drug use• lower intervention costs for schools

Teachers who possess social and emotional competencies are more likely to stay in the classroom longer because they’re able to work more effectively with challenging students —one of the main causes of burnout

Statistically significant associations between measured social -emotional skills in kindergarten and key young adult outcomes across multiple domains of education, employment, criminal activity, substance abuse, and mental health

Evidence -Based SEL Gains

How can use of blended learning (adaptive learning platforms) increase student achievement?

• Teachers and students must be present (part of the time), but the content and student work is divided into parts to be completed with teacher presence (whether via a live webinar or in a physical classroom) and times spent digitally on computers, tablets, etc.

• This multi -modal learning approach can also include learning at home using digital tools and platforms, with assignments like watching a video or completing an online activity.

• When combined, these learning experiences complement and supplement each other.

How can use of blended learning (adaptive learning platforms) increase student achievement?

• Accessibility, offering anytime and anywhere delivery

• Training that is self -paced and matched to the learners’ needs

• Timely dissemination of up -to -date information

• Streamlined and effective learning delivery

30

Closing Thoughts

Ta k e a m o m e n t t o t h in k a b o u t yo u r le a rn in g t o d a y a n d jo t d o w n a fe w id e a s a b o u t h o w yo u ca n t ra n s fe r t h is le a rn in g t o s u p p o r t s t u d e n t s u cce s s .

31

Ad d it io n a l q u e s t io n s ? Co m m e n t s ?

Thank you!

Session Name: Jan 6 WebinarPre se n te r Na m e : Bonnie

Please take a moment to complete our survey:https://act.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8DpdJ1T7zedYUaV