Tips and Considerations for Distance Learning

General Tips for Distance Learning Contexts

  • Review your school board's approved online educational tools and related protocols to determine which technological tools might be suited to your needs; learn about the distribution of tech to families to account for planning
  • Connect with families to determine their needs in terms of schedules, monitoring tech usage, etc.
  • Whenever possible, connect and share in real time via virtual platform
  • Real time brainstorming and collaboration can happen via collaborative platforms, on a discussion thread, slide, shared document or virtual meeting
  • Draw, photograph, or record work and submit to the teacher (if permission is given)
  • Use puppets or other objects as characters to improvise or explore text
  • Warm up routines and dance breaks can be maintained via audio or video files posted to your online platform
  • Simple digital Forms or quizzes can be used as exit cards

Other Considerations for Distance Learning in Elementary Drama and Dance

  • Establish protocols and norms for the remote community learning prior to attempting dance and drama work
  • Break lessons into small steps with lots of check-in and reflection; this is vital when beginning drama and dance work
  • Many of these tips assume that teachers have already done collaborative dance and drama work with their students; make selections based on the prior knowledge of your students
  • Because we cannot see how students are feeling or responding to the material, be even more selective when choosing sources to ensure there are adequate supports in place
  • If students are shy to participate in class, they may also be reluctant to share in a remote learning environment. Offer options for participation in activities that honour their access needs
  • If teaching drama and dance in the context of Indigenous studies, please consult the CODE guide​ In a Good Way: Drama, Dance, and Indigeous Studies