For students with limited access to technology or internet, synchronous and asynchronous instruction delivery methods can still be utilized.
Synchronous: schoolwork is completed alongside the teacher and classmates
- Have the student participate with the class via phone call rather than via video chat
Asynchronous: schoolwork that is completed independently by the student
- Mail or drop off printed out worksheets and materials or a USB drive with the work on it to the students
- Set up a phone call to go over the materials the student completes or provide a stamped return envelope for them to mail back their work
Strategies
- Host accessible video sessions
- Some students may be using phone audio to call into video meetings
- Keep this in mind by ensuring you are describing what is happening on the screen or providing slides in a materials packet before the meeting
- Give students a few minutes to log on in case of technology barriers
- Use the waiting time to check-in or play and ice breaker
- Record teaching sessions and provide them to the student in an accessible format
- Rather than having the student audio call in, record the session you taught with the class and send the student a DVD or USB with the recording on it
- Maintain communication with the student’s parents or caregivers
- Open communication allows you to better understand what is going on at home
- Communicating with parents/caregivers allows you to find ways for the student to access a Wi-Fi hotspot at locations like a local library
- Refrain from requiring students to have their video on
- Videos can be a barrier for students who are using internet from a public location
