Papers 2:  Supporting Remote Students:

Supporting Public School Intern Teachers in a Challenging COVID-19 Rural Distance Teaching Environment

Cliff Tyler (National University, USA)

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an enormous impact on every aspect of normal life, including K-12 and higher education students, teachers, and school communities. This paper will examine the impact on student/intern teachers and the research regarding the impact of isolation on remote learning and student achievement during this pandemic. It will also address the challenges encountered by teacher education professors supporting their public school student teachers and interns, and designing human side strategies to increase the academic achievement of their grades K-12 students in rural, lower socio-economic distance teaching and learning environments.

Transdisciplinary Undergraduate Learning Guides in the Humanities

Martha Brenckle, Patricia Farless & Amanda Snyder (University of Central Florida, USA)

Current learning outcomes emphasize critical thinking skills and life-long learning techniques. These skills remain a significant part of teaching in the Humanities and include student responsibilities to community and the importance of diversity and difference. Evidence suggests that active learning strategies can indeed lead to improved learning outcomes. However, to be effective, active learning strategies demand increased faculty involvement in student learning. This is not always possible when class size is large (100+) and especially when the class is entirely online. This presentation will show how introducing Learning Guides in online courses increased student learning.

Papers 2 Discussion

Roundtable 2:

Social and Emotional Learning: Strategies to Ensure a Supportive Online Learning Environment

Olga Hilas (St. John’s University, USA)

Over the past year, many educators in higher education have made the transition to remote instruction as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Professional development activities, online training programs, and institutional resources have focused on remote teaching and learning approaches to maximize educator effectiveness and student success. However, an emphasis on social and emotional learning (SEL) is also needed, due to the impact of the pandemic on mental health. This roundtable session will aim to introduce the process of SEL and strategies to enhance the development of healthy online learning environments by prioritizing emotional wellbeing, resilience and adaptability, and interpersonal relationships.

Roundtable 3:

Zoom On!  A Virtual Show & Share of Peer Student Stories for Connection and Support

HelenMarie Harmon (Indiana University Northwest, USA)

Every student—from entering, first-generation freshman to graduating, accomplished senior—has an intriguing, individual story to tell. While each student has a unique background, there is still an undeniable connectivity among the student population that unites them with one another. It’s from this bond that students experience a stronger sense of belonging—to their peers, campus, and academic pursuits. When students share their stories, there’s an abundance of peer support for success—especially needed during this current, unchartered pandemic. Online platforms allow the use of virtual technologies, further encouraging adaptability and creativity for the show and share.