DL and Curriclum Integration

Have you ever used distance learning with your students? Did you enjoy the experience? Did your students enjoy it?

If you answered yes to all of those questions, then you probably know the secret to good distance learning experiences. If you answered no to any of the above, read on to learn ways to directly relate distance learning to your curriculum, making the experience more meaningful for you and your students!

Look at your curriculum and determine how distance learning can be beneficial to your students. Do you want to use distance learning as a way to introduce a concept you are teaching? Would you like to review content with your students using a virtual learning experience? Perhaps your students have been researching a particular topic and would like to ask an expert on the subject some questions... Distance learning can be done in a variety of ways, but to make it most meaningful to your students, there must be a specific, standards-driven purpose for the event.

If money is a concern, there are plenty of ways to use interactive video conferencing that are very cost effective, if not free. Class-to-class collaborations are an excellent way to introduce students to others who are studying the same content so they can share thoughts, ideas, and projects from one place to another. Some content providers offer their services for free. At GST BOCES, Rene Carver, Mary Hutz, and I develop and deliver content to teachers in our participating districts by teacher request. Look to members of your community for possible content providers: veterans, doctors and nurses, business leaders... You could also connect with other classrooms right in your own district!

There are also some excellent content providers who do charge for their time, but at a fraction of the cost compared to having them visit your school, or going by bus to visit them. The Paley Center for Media and Royal Botanical Gardens are two examples of content providers that offer meaningful, standards-driven virtual learning experiences. They also work with teachers to gear the materials toward what students are learning in the classroom.

Check out CILC.org and do a keyword search on your topic to locate content providers and possible collaborations with other classes. If you would like assistance locating quality content to offer your students, along with help integrating it into your curriculum, please contact us!

Talk to you soon!