You know it. I know it. I think other people are starting to realize it, too. Building classroom community online is one of the biggest challenges we face as educators. We need that face-to-face connection with our students. They need to actually touch and move 3-dimensional objects to learn things. One of the biggest challenges, though, is accountability. What are your students doing with those cameras off? How can we help our students to engage with our lessons? And more importantly, how can we continue to build meaningful connections with our students?
That’s where digital desks come in. Using a class set of Google Slides that are set up to look like an actual student desk (we’re talking clipboard, loose leaf paper, a nametag and sticky notes) can help you to see that your students are engaged without having to use a bunch of different apps and learning platforms. Building classroom community online has never been easier since your students feel like they have their own space in a shared space.
Before you read on, make sure you CLICK HERE to download this freebie. Not only will you get your very own set of digital desks but I’ve also included a fun game and a digital postcard to send to your students.
Hooray! You’ve downloaded the digital desks. Now what? Here are some ways you can use them with your students.
1. Decorate the desks
Encourage students to make their desk their very own! Have them search for images of things they love or things that represent them. In the search bar type “basketball png” and they will find images with a transparent background so it looks like the image is just sitting on the desk!
2. Add a motivational quote
Having students search for images of motivational quotes to paste on a classmate’s desk is a surefire way to build classroom community online.
3. Put daily/weekly goals on a sticky note
Our students need to constantly be reminded of their goals and what they are striving for. Use the sticky note to serve as that reminder of their daily or weekly goal. You can find out more about goal setting here.
4. Give a Quick Write prompt that students can respond to on their “paper.”
Sometimes we want our students to just write – no marking! Give students a prompt and have them write, in real-time, on their paper! Using the desks facilitates sharing since everyone can see what everyone else is working on.
5. Revise a short piece of writing
Do your students resist this part of the writing process? Mine sure do! Being able to copy an excerpt of their writing on to the clipboard allows you to see if they actually are making those changes. Plus, it lets you easily share examples of great work!
6. Leave feedback
Once students have added some work to their desks send the students to another desk to leave a positive comment (a “glow) and a constructive comment (a “grow).
7. Respond to a video
On the clipboard have students respond to the prompt, “What challenged, changed, or confirmed your thinking as you watched the video?”
8. Solve a math problem
When you ask students to work on a problem, you may discover that not everyone is doing it. Being able to see what your students are doing (or not) can help you to identify strategies to share with the whole class. Encourage your students to travel to another desk to get “inspiration” if they are stuck.
9. Post artwork
Have you used Padlet before to share artwork but then ran out of the free boards? Get your students to snap a picture of their artwork and put it on their desks. That way everyone can admire their work
10. Add stickers
I seriously miss giving my students stickers! Search “sticker png” and add a sticker to their desk. It will brighten up their day for sure.
11. Respond to Would You Rather questions
You’ve probably done some Would You Rather questions with your class. Have them respond to the prompt on their sticky note. This allows the students who may be feeling anxious about speaking their ideas to have a space to share, too.
12. Snap a Picture of…
One of our favourite activities to do is to insert a picture in response to a prompt. You can find some engaging prompts here. Try, “Insert a picture of something that you wish you knew how to do.” You’d be surprised with what they come up with!
13. Add True or False or Multiple Choice cards
Activate some prior knowledge or do a quick review of a lesson by reading out some questions. Students will drag the appropriate card on to their clipboards.
14. Play Scattergories
Write the numbers 1-10 on the loose leaf paper. Then visit this site for an online version of Scattergories.
If building classroom community online is a priority for you, know that I’m here to help! Make sure you have downloaded your own copy of 3 Tools to Connect with Students Online. Can’t wait to go on this journey with you.
I’m Lauren, from “From Math to Music” – your go-to person for all things Math and Classroom Community!
Being a middle-school teacher and a mom of 3, I know how hard it is for busy teachers to create resources that allow for deep thinking and build classroom community. That's why I love sharing tips and tricks that you can you use in your middle school classroom right this minute.
