Here's how VLN Primary online learning is setup for 1200 students from over 50 NZ schools

This online learning is a mixture of online taught, (synchronous) classes and also independent, assigned (asynchronous) learning.   

Online (synchronous) classes:

The taught, synchronous, classes use video-conference Zoom software

• Audio and/or text chat is used by teachers and students

• Teachers share screens with presentations and ‘write/draw’ on the screen. Students can do all this too when teachers allow.

• Texts sent using chat are also a way to share links to online activities such as Quizlet live, Kahoot, Padlet.

• Screen-share can present google slides and be split - so as to show learning activity on one screen and demonstrate an example on the other.

• Virtual backgrounds can be added to participant's images (Teachers can use this to share their location, to engage /add to cues ?! or hints).

• Ways to interact include show of hands or thumbs, Zoom poll, adding posts to Padlet, and updating collaborative Google Docs. Students can share their screen/work.

• Students can collaborate in smaller groups in Zoom breakout rooms

• Class management is supported - Teachers as Zoom host can mute participants' audio /choose session settings re what participants in the meeting can do and can even remove a participant.

Online classes or portions of them can also be recorded to be accessed later.

Independent (asynchronous) learning:

Students access independent learning activities at any time that works for their other learning and activities.

Asynchronous learning is supported via Google Classroom and/or Seesaw for students to share images, recordings in a digital portfolio. 

Google classroom (Learning Management System)

• eTeachers post learning activities and resources and mini recordings.

• Topics are easy to reorder or rename - Group by date, content, activity type etc) e.g. Intro, Helpful info, Topic 1, …

• Facilitated discussion boards - students can post and answer questions

• Quizzes such as Google forms

• Revision Tools - Quizlet lets students choose different ways to revise (flashcards, matching, games etc.)

• Post-it board such as Padlet

• Google is used for Collaborative documents, Posted questions and collaborative answers, Quizzes, Assigned Learning Activities/Assessments etc. Teachers post links to recommended online learning vidoe and resources, and information about other learning activities. Students and their class teachers join.

Seesaw

is also used as a social media based way for students to share digital portfolios with eTeachers and class teachers - and to share resources and for students to create and share a video and other resources.