Create structure and consistency through schedules, regular communication, and clear instructions in distance learning¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

To help students feel settled, the brief advises educators to "Create structure and consistency through lesson schedules, regularly scheduled communication, and clear, concise instructions." For virtual settings this means an online calendar showing lessons, start and stop times, and due dates; for nonvirtual settings, a paper version plus instructions for returning work. Teachers should communicate at the same time(s) every day using the same formats and tell students and caregivers how and when to reach them.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Consistent timing and format of communication, with expectations shared with students and parents or caregivers

Constraints¶

Target Learners¶

• K-12 distance learning students and their families or caregivers

Target Learning Goals¶

• Emotional regulation
• predictability and organization of learning

Affordances¶

• Perry 3 Rs Regulate Relate Reason

Related Strategies¶

• Maintain transparent, ongoing communication through consistent schedules, agendas, and multiple channels
• Zoom Family Hours
• Begin remote lessons with grounding and centering exercises to help students focus
• Use established routines such as course-map and unit-plan review cycles to monitor and sustain instructional work
• Reduce workloads and chunk instruction into smaller pieces to support diminished capacity and executive functioning
• Screen lessons, texts, activities, and videos in advance to ensure they are not activating for students and families

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Pate, C. (2020). Strategies for trauma-informed distance learning. Center to Improve Social and Emotional Learning and School Safety at WestEd. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED606091