Learning and Instructional Continuity Planning

The majority of educators say they’re not fully prepared for remote and online learning. What’s more, nearly half of teachers report that they themselves are responsible for making decisions about which online tools to use. Given the complex and unpredictable education landscape in times of crisis, teachers need the support of university administrators and school district leaders. And they all need the support of IT. No one is entirely certain whether teachers and students will be back in traditional learning environments come fall. Will remote and online learning extend through the next academic school year? Will there be a mix of in-person and online instruction? Schools and universities need to be prepared for all possibilities—including the worst-case scenarios. To get there, they need thoughtful learning and instructional continuity plans. Here’s how university and school district IT departments can support learning and instructional continuity planning for educators.

Proactive plans for an uncertain future

Unexpected school closures and the uncertainty surrounding when they might reopen have brought a lot of unknown factors into discussions about continuity planning. While some are hesitant to make concrete plans before they have more information, the reality is that further delays could have big consequences for student learning. As such, schools and universities must act swiftly to support teachers and administrators in anticipating and preparing for all possible outcomes.

Start with faculty

Support for faculty and staff should be the first priority. Without adequately trained and equipped instructors, the entire plan will fail. Just as teachers and administrators are looking to IT for leadership in this new remote and online learning environment, students are looking to their instructors to help them find their way in this unfamiliar space. This is especially true for younger K-12 students who are not as tech-savvy and independent as high school and college students.

Teach educators how to use virtual instruction tools

Similar to the students they serve, educators are equipped with varying degrees of digital literacy. Never assume that all the instructors at your university or in your school district are ready to tackle online learning tools. While some schools are unified in the resources they rely on, others are taking a patchwork do-it-yourself approach. This can be a source of confusion for students and parents, further distracting them from learning in an already unpredictable situation. Ideally, there will be school- or district-wide alignment regarding online teaching tools. This gives IT departments a chance to vet the security and effectiveness of these tools. It also streamlines training and support for teachers—especially those who are not as comfortable in digital environments.

Encourage thoughtful lesson planning

Unlike traditional learning environments—in which teachers are present throughout the entire school day—remote learning necessitates a thoughtful approach to scheduling the day. It doesn’t make sense for teachers to spend seven hours a day giving live instruction via video conferencing tools. Encouraging educators to deliver their daily lessons in segments, allotting breaks for individual and group project-based learning, will go a long way toward protecting instructors’ sanity. It will also give students the variety they need to stay engaged with the material. These lessons can be live, pre-recorded, or a mix of both. Having a plethora of self-directed content and curricula to allow student preference, remediation, and expanded learning will be key. As noted above, it’s imperative instructors feel confident using the tools they have available to create these live or pre-recorded lessons.

Crowdsource ongoing training and support

IT departments likely don’t have the necessary resources to support every teacher’s request. As such, it would be helpful to designate tech-savvy users and create support cohorts around each one. This will give teachers an opportunity to share best practices and lessons learned while benefiting from the insight of instructors who are proficient in online teaching. They can also brainstorm through what kinds of resources they have available and identify shared efficiencies that can streamline lesson planning and execution.

Education’s new normal

Teachers, students, and parents are all approaching this new normal for K-12 and higher education from different starting points as it relates to digital literacy. Keep education in motion for all with simple, effective, and easy-to-use online learning tools. Details on resources for K-12 learning tools and instructional continuity can be found in this informational video. And watch this video for information about instructional resources related to higher education continuity and virtual teaching.

This blog post is part of a collection of resources that HP is creating to help the higher education community during these unprecedented times