Tips for Virtual Learning

The Her Flowers teens came up with a list of ways to make online learning more inclusive and engaging. We hope that this information is shared with school staff and administration to inform equitable school-wide policies for virtual learning. Although we are all looking at the same shared screen, our learning spaces may not only look very different but feel very different.

Regulation

First, a bit of brain science. When someone feels anxious, depressed, attacked, overwhelmed, etc., they struggle to learn and retain information. We can prepare the most engaging lesson possible, but if someone feels uncomfortable in their home space it will be difficult to focus no matter how hard the teacher tries. If students are forced to keep their videos on during class, they will not be in a place to retain information. Their brain will go into fight, flight, freeze response, leaving memory retention, critical thinking, and self-regulation out the door.

The best learning happens when people feel safe, comfortable, and calm.

To help people feel safe, comfortable, and calm focus on these four areas: Grounding, Space, Boundaries, Collaborate

FOUR WAYS TO IMPROVE ONLINE LEARNING

Grounding

At the start of each class, try familiarizing students with the classroom culture. In a normal school day, students have time between classes (at least 2-3) minutes to transition to the next period. This plays a big role in telling their brains what’s next. The environment changes drastically - the smells, the culture, the individuals; it’s all different and it is also valuable information for the brain to take in and then orient to the new material.

At home, this transition is missing. As a teacher, it’s important to create those transitions for students. Try coming up with some ice-breaker activities, stretching, mindfulness, trivia, etc. to help create routine and transition to the new material. Check out Sources of Strength which has amazing ideas for virtual games. 

Many students aren’t getting dressed for the day. While at one point, this might have been the ideal scenario and a high schooler’s dream, it’s really bad for learning. Just like the brain needs transitions throughout the day between classes, it also needs transitions between major activities. We need to tell the brain that it is no longer lounge, relaxation time, it’s time for learning and work. Changing your clothes helps change your mind. 

Space

For some people, home is their safe space. But for many others, home is the exact opposite. It does not provide an opportunity for relaxation or relief, many students are on high alert and on edge while at home. It therefore might not provide the same capacity for learning. It’s essential that teachers don’t assume everyone feels safe in their home environment. Offer opportunities to brainstorm with students to increase a sense of safety (without calling individuals out) and work on your own assumptions - never announce to a class that everyone feels good at home. 

Additionally, while a desk and a designated learning environment are ideal for schoolwork, it’s not possible for everyone. For some students, their bed might be the only space they have available, which is okay. Again, help them mark the transition into learning - make sure the bed is clear and made, there is a defined difference between sleeping and working.

Boundaries 

Unfortunately, I have heard too many instances of well-intended teachers crafting a gratitude activity where everyone needs to share out what they’re grateful for in the chat. Forcing students to share three things they’re grateful for in the collective chat can create anxiety, shame, and perhaps more feelings of isolation and depression. For many of the students you’re working with, this is certainly the most difficult time in their life. (Yes, if you have a one-on-one conversation with a student and help them feel a sense of relaxation, they probably will find a few things to be grateful for or some silver-lining to this strange time.) But popcorn sharing their gratitude as a class can often backfire. 

Instead, bring vulnerability and humanity into your virtual classroom by acknowledging their discomfort and isolation. 

CAMERA USE

At the start of the pandemic, I was one of the people that was adamant about camera use. I was certain that it would help people feel more engaged and present, creating a collective sense of community. I’m here to say that my mind has changed. 

In a normal classroom, a student would never be looking at themselves for 40 minutes straight. Other classmates would not be looking at them for 40 minutes straight. Think back to when you were a teenager and asked to give a presentation in front of the class. Chances are, you were anxious. 

In a teenager’s mind, 24 of their classmates will be judging and critiquing them the whole time. While as adults we can rationalize and know that this isn’t the case, teenagers just aren’t there yet. To a teen, it could feel like we’re asking them to submit themselves to perceived judgment, ridicule, and harassment from classmates all day long.

On top of that, not all students feel comfortable exposing their home environments. Some have really wonderful, beautiful spaces that they are proud to share. A lot of other students do not. Mandating camera use is not an equitable practice. 

Collaborate

Offer time during your office hours or individual check-in’s for students to give feedback about virtual learning. In the end, the lessons are for them. Allow them to be engaged in the process. Listening to your students' feedback is the best way to create an effective online learning environment.

General technical tips

• Hide self-view

  • Click the three dots on the top-right of your image to select "hide self-view" (Zoom)

• Include pronouns in name

  • To add your pronouns, click the three dots on the top-right of your image and select "rename" (Zoom)

• Create a sense of community

  • Choose gallery view to see each other (Zoom and Google Meets)

• Use headphones for privacy

• Utilize private messaging

  • Message students privately to activate the camera or unmute; do not assume that just because their camera is off or they are unmuted they are not engaged

• Encourage movement and short screen breaks

Share these equitable tips with school staff and parents. We’ve created this infographic to easily distill and share the information out.

Let’s create a more inclusive online learning environment for all! If you are interested in learning how to make your school or organization more friendly for virtual learning, we offer personalized training sessions and mental health workshops. Reach out today to learn more.