Norms and Expectations

When using Webex to gather students in your course start with clear expectations around behavior. Consider customizing the following e-mail (to specify how students should ask questions, whether you want them to Raise Hand, etc.) to share with students and their families. While online students should be held to the same standards as face-to-face students, staff teaching an online class should remain flexible and exercise patience. For almost everyone, this is the first time a student has enrolled in an online class, it may take a bit of time until she or he feels comfortable with the systems and with self-regulating habits required to keep up with the work.

EXAMPLE: Our class will meet through the Webex online video conference system. We will adopt the same rules and norms as if we were back in our classroom (take notes; participate by asking and answering questions; wear classroom-ready clothing). For everyone’s benefit, try to join the course in a quiet place. Turn on your video. Mute your microphone unless you are speaking. Close browser tabs not required for participating in class. This form of learning will be somewhat new to all of us, and success will depend on the same commitment we all bring to the physical classroom.

Considerations for setting norms or expectations:

When deciding to host and/or allow students to show live video consider:

• Will what is in the background be appropriate?

• Can my students control their impulses?

• Have I made expectations about school appropriate clothing?

• Can I manage the Webex meeting should someone misbehave

  • If you need to mute or block a student from participation, follow up with students, administration, and parents just as you would if you asked a student to leave your class.

  • Can a paraeducator or other educator join with you to help moderate chat during instruction?

• Teachers should limit one-on-one meetings with students without anyone else in the meeting, just like you would at school. These sorts of interactions can occur with a parent if needed and/or via phone or email.

Communicate Norms and Expectations to Parents and Families As Well

Distance Learning is new for our parents as well as students. Consider creating some norms and expectations for families as well. Some things you may want to make clear:

• Do you prefer questions to come from the parent or students?

• Do you prefer questions via email or some other mechanism?

• How frequently will you respond to questions?

• How will parents know how to access the curriculum to support their student(s)?

• Do my parents know how to support their students to achieve the objectives I have set for them?

• Do my parents know how I plan to connect with students?

• Do my parents know how to support their students with technology? Including, but not limited to logging in, ensuring an appropriate background and quiet space is available for video meetings, etc.

Posting/Sharing Materials and Resources for Students

Before Posting or Sharing Resources to students and/or parents Instructors should:

• • Review guidelines for Privacy and Cyber Safety

  • Review the materials/videos/resources thoroughly to make sure:

    • The materials/videos/resources are of high quality,

  • Ensure that materials/videos/resources are aligned to your lesson and support, and curriculum

  • Ensure the materials/videos/resources are developmentally appropriate