Allie Emery, Director of Teaching and Learning, at Knoxville CSD shares how AEA Learning Online's Blended/Flip courses have helped their teachers prepare for in-person and virtual learning.

 

As schools closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw a need to expand our tool boxes for effective virtual instructional practices.  KCSD had 32 teachers express interest in learning more about online, blended, and flipped learning environments.  We reached out to Denise Krefting and Melissa Wicklund at AEA Learning Online for assistance.  They helped us navigate learning opportunities available and were extremely responsive to our needs, setting up a cohort for KCSD to engage in Blend/Flip courses with dates that would work for the majority of our staff.  They also shared additional offerings across the state to provide flexible options to meet individual needs.

 

Surveys were sent in September to our cohort teachers and 100% of respondents indicated the Blend/Flip courses were helpful or very helpful in preparing for virtual and in-person instruction. This fall our teachers have been serving students who attend school in person as well as virtually. All teachers are using a learning management system, Canvas or Seesaw, to organize learning activities, provide feedback, and communicate with students and families. Teachers are designing synchronous learning environments where virtual students attend live classes with their on-site peers.  This learning can be supplemented with asynchronous activities posted in Canvas.  Other teachers are hosting daily morning meetings with their students via Zoom, and connecting with families to support their work in an online learning service.  Blend/Flip courses have also influenced the design and delivery of professional development at KCSD.

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