Processing today: I took 2 fully online APSI courses this summer. Here are my takeaways as it relates to being a "student" in an online class.

1. Do not make students turn on their cameras
There were times I was eating & turned off my camera only to be asked to turn it back on

2. Do NOT comment on students surroundings.
I have just finished a big remodel and I have a lot of boxes and one instructor commented on my "junk" and said I should "clean it up." I also live in a house with lots of windows--I'm always going to back lit--doesn't matter.

3. Us the mute all feature--folx forget and we don't need to call them out--use your control as the leader of the zoom/meet to mute folx.

4. Create permanent breakout groups. Assign them and then keep it. I kept getting tossed into different groups and we missed out on the deep learning that could have happened if we stayed together all week. And would have allowed us to feel part of the class more.

5. Do not lecture/mini lesson for longer than 20 minutes. Ss aren't listening anymore. Moving into and out of breakout rooms multiple times in a 50 min synchronous class was better--best process was introduce for 10 minutes and then breakout for 5 and back and repeated that

6. Zoom/Meet polls are great ways to take attendance, quickly gauge understanding. Use that.

7. Let Ss know what the end goal of each session is. This helps the focus and guides their attention. If Ss don't know what they are going to have to do, they don't know what to pay attention to (remember they will be at home w/distractions).

8. Use that chat. This is a great way to have students share info/work/etc.

9. Most important--put yourself if the Ss shoes. Think about their needs. Their situations and tailor your teaching and expectations.