
Unexpected school closure got you panicked about distance learning, online teaching, digital learning, eLearning, and how to do it all! I’m here to help.
Let’s walk through the possible online platforms for online teaching, some great resources, and all the curriculum and connection ideas you can do from afar to be a stellar distance learning digital online teacher educator!
HOW TO CONNECT WITH STUDENTS VIRTUAL LEARNING, DISTANCE LEARNING, OR BECAUSE OF A SCHOOL CLOSURE
….cough cough…COVID-19
Here’s my list of ways to connect with students and keep engagement up while distance learning or eLearning or online teaching elementary or whatever term this will end up being labeled.

These ideas are meant to keep students engaged and provide EASY ways for you to deliver content through the this new digital learning distance learning happening today.
Grab your FREE Distance Learning Engagement calendar below! All the curriculum and connection one place for beginning online virtual distance learning teachers.
The best part is it’s packed with links of curriculum and CONNECTION ideas! We know that the student is most important during these times and what are some fun way to connect with them.
Here’s a few sample ideas:
- Host a Virtual Spirit Week to raise morale with students and STAFF! Make sure to show up and post pictures of outfits everyday!
- Mindfulness Brain Breaks are great! Send out some of your faves and make a bingo board to get 5 in a row. I just recently found out about Cosmic Kids Yoga and LOVE it.
- Send Positive Notes – use a Bitmoji, printed notes, or just screenshot and type on these type of notes to still connect with students who are not close by!
+ over 20 others!
WHAT DISTANCE LEARNING RESOURCES ARE THE BEST?
What a loaded question I know! Digital learning might be completely new to you and so my answer is whatever you feel comfortable with!
Do not go and assign items willy-nilly. The best bet is to start small. Pick one subject and work to online or distance learning and then slowly add in resources as you feel more comfortable.
Another tip is to start with only ONE TYPE of Google assignment as well. Get students used to Google Forms – easy to answer and collect and see results immediately but adding on Google Slides increases the student capacity and you as an online educator because you can do more things.
Grab your Distance Learning Engagement Calendar to spark some new ideas in this distance learning world!

This post originally appeared on SSSTeaching. Amber is a partner in distance learning with digital resources ready to use!
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