Five Ways to Support Students in the Virtual Classroom
As schools transition to Distance Learning for All, educators are experiencing a shift in how they teach and connect with their students – in record time. Developing online lessons, ensuring that students are able to access materials, navigating video calls, and addressing students’ social and emotional needs brings a new set of challenges (and emotions) to the virtual classroom.
To help educators navigate this new way of interaction and instruction, Ophelia’s Place has some suggestions for adults to support middle and high school students by encouraging and modeling self-care.
These recommendations for self-care are integrated into day-to-day practices and interactions, with a focus on creating a sense of safety, and helping students feel valued and supported in an online setting.
1. Create Class Agreements
Ask students to consider how things are different in a virtual classroom setting vs. in-person. What does respectful communication look like online? How can we have meaningful discussions? How can we create a safe online space?
This free lesson from Teaching Tolerance may help to start the conversation about respectful online participation (this lesson is geared towards 3rd-5th grade, but you can use the basic concepts to facilitate discussion for middle and high school students).
Involving students in this process helps create clear expectations and boundaries for the class. It also sends a message that everyone is invested in the group’s collective well-being and shows that student input is valued.
2. Foster Connection
Start class with a positive quote, funny video, or other words of encouragement.
Have regular check-ins with your students (as a class and individually). This is a great way for them to connect with their peers and with you.
Don’t ignore the context. Share how your life has been disrupted by COVID-19 and invite students to do the same. This can create a sense of connection and togetherness, allow students to process their feelings, and show students there is power in vulnerability. Learn more about that here.
3. Encourage Students to Try Different Self-Care Strategies
Have students incorporate one form of self-care into their daily routine, or if that seems like a stretch, encourage them to try one new self-care activity each week. They can then report back during a class check-in or via another method you may be using, such as a virtual journal, video diary, or even writing it down and taking a picture of their response.
Encourage your students to pick some self-care activities from this list.
You may also consider providing a self-care plan for students to complete as an optional activity. (Un plan de autocuidado.)
Remind students that self-care…
Is not selfish. Sometimes, we need to put our own oxygen mask on first, so we can help others put theirs on, too.
Can be integrated into their everyday lives. Self-care includes everyday tasks. It doesn’t have to be something extra, indulgent, or expensive.
Is a practice. It’s a process that doesn’t need to be perfected.
Is individual-specific. Everyone’s self-care is different.
4. Adjust Your Expectations (for Your Students and Yourself)
Be patient and flexible with your students, and gentle with yourself as you all navigate the “new normal” together; don’t demand perfection.
5. Offer Support and Resources
In the shift to online learning, many students will lose connection to their biggest resource: their school. Now, more than ever, students will need to know what resources are available to them and their teachers will be a key source of information, and support.
Simply letting your students know you are there for them can make a world of difference in their lives.
Remind your students that it’s okay to ask for help!
Resources
Safe Oregon: A tip-line for youth, families, community members, and educators to report student safety concerns.
Youthline: A 24/7 free, confidential crisis helpline for teens (text, call, chat or email).
School Lunches: A list of grab-and-go food locations by school district
Oregon Food Bank Finder: Find local food banks
FACT Oregon: Resources for students with disabilities
Oregon AFL-CIO: Resources for Immigrants
Ophelia’s Place is committed to being a trusted resource for educators. While our staff is working remotely, we are still available to connect Monday through Friday.
To contact us, please email info@opheliasplace.net or send us a message via Facebook Messenger. You can follow Ophelia’s Place on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and information. Our YouTube channel also has more great ideas on practicing self-care.
Need more info? Here are some additional resources.
Chronicle of Higher Education. (2020). Coping with Coronavirus: How faculty members can support students in traumatic times. 8-11.
Oregon Department of Education. (2020). Five key ways to support mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak and beyond.