The questions and answers below are adapted from Common Sense Education. Consider adapting and customizing for your own use.
For families
Q: How will I get information about assignments, progress, and other classroom news?
A: Try to convey as much information as possible through one platform. Keep it simple, and limit the number of messages.
Q: How/where should my child keep track of their assignments?
A: Google calendar? Assignment notebook? Make sure families and students know your expectations and that students are learning to stay organized.
Q: How can I contact you? How can my child contact you?
A: Using one method is best so nothing falls through the cracks.
Q: What’s the best way to share a problem or concern?
A: It’s OK to let parents know how you’d like to receive complaints and concerns so you can have productive conversations.
Q: How can I communicate with other families?
A: Is there an online communication tool for the class? PTA contact?
Q: What should we do if we have technical difficulties or our device breaks?
A: Let families know what to do/whom to contact if students can’t get into a class meeting and whom to contact with bigger device issues.
Q: How will the school help facilitate social connections while distance learning?
A: Will you have office hours? Discussion groups? Social clubs? Is there a list of possibilities on the school website?
Q: Will you have office hours or other one-on-one time with students?
A: How will students connect with you one-on-one in case they don’t want to share something with others? How will they get extra help?
Q: How can I help keep my student on task?
A: What tips can you offer? To collect other devices? To work in a public space in the home? To take breaks? Can you offer any subject-specific tips?
Q: What happens if my student is absent?
A: What are the reporting procedures if a student needs to miss class/be late?
Q: For how long will my student need to sit still?
A: How long will students need to be in front of a screen? Will they get movement breaks? Are there resources you recommend we can do outside of class or during transitions?
Q: If my child is struggling, should I try to teach/tutor them?
A: How much are families expected to facilitate learning? How much teaching do they need to do, if any? If they don’t know how to help, what tools are available (Socratic, Wolfram, etc.)?
Q: How will we know how to access online classes? Where will the links be?
A: Will the links be static, or will they change? Where will they live?
For students
Q: What’s the best way for me to get in contact with you?
A: How do you want students to keep in touch? When can they expect replies (be sure to give yourself some time off-duty)?
Q: What’s the best way to share a problem or concern?
A: It’s OK to let students know how you’d like to receive complaints and concerns so you can have productive conversations.
Q: How will I know how to access online classes? Where will the links be?
A: Will the links be static, or will they change? Where will they live?
Q: What should I do if I have technical difficulties?
A: Let students know what to do/whom to contact if they can’t get into a class meeting and whom to contact with bigger device issues. Can they complete their work in some other way?
Q: What are your expectations during remote-learning classes?
A: Address digital citizenship, online behavior, use of comments, use of virtual backgrounds, etc. Screens on? Pajamas allowed?
Q: What happens if I don’t meet the class expectations?
A: What happens when students break the rules? Are there steps in place?
Q: How should I keep track of my assignments?
A: What’s the one best and most efficient way for students to track due dates? How can they break assignments into smaller chunks?
Q: What happens if I’m absent?
A: What are the reporting procedures if a student needs to miss class/be late?
Q: What should I do if I’m feeling sad, disconnected from people, or anxious?
A: Let all students know what to do and whom to contact if they’re feeling depressed or anxious before anyone asks. Have students complete a well-being plan and encourage them to refer to this plan for strategies.