This article is a compilation of research and data from an ISM survey of over 1,000 teachers conducted over the 2020 spring and summer.

The rapid shift to distance learning left the majority of teachers and school leaders dealing with impossible tasks. In retrospect, teachers reported one of the biggest mistakes was trying to recreate brick-and-mortar classroom practices in an online setting.

Doing so had poor or mixed student feedback. One of our surveyed teachers commented, “Students do not learn differently at home. Teachers must adjust their teaching methods.”

In a distance learning paradigm, traditional sequences and program syllabuses should be deconstructed and replaced with teaching a set of skills, abilities, and proficiencies. Traditional summative testing becomes student-centered formative assessments.

The main takeaway was this: a student-centered, outcome-based methodology often better recognizes achievement and progress in proficiencies that enable students to become successful citizens.

Some of the most important concepts we learned from this teacher survey include:

Students crave predictable routines.
Increase engagement with an emphasis on personal connection.
Social and active learning experiences increase engagement levels.
Projects work well for asynchronous learning time.
It is difficult to engage students and assess their comprehension when using live video conferences. Asynchronous learning activities are more effective.

Are you looking for other tips and best practices to improve your school’s distance learning? Click here to check out ISM school year workshops. https://isminc.com/events/School-Year-Workshops