Communication technologies – Supporting distance learning

Communication technologies

Communication technologies such as video conferencing, Skype, and Google Hangouts are increasingly able to facilitate relevant and authentic learning opportunities for students.

Use communication technologies to:

• provide learning that is not constrained by timetables, physical locations, and in-school teacher expertise
• maintain and grow relationships when distance is a barrier, overcoming feelings of isolation
• connect with experts outside the school walls
• provide authentic learning contexts
• learn collaboratively – share ideas, ask questions, and receive feedback
• offer virtual courses.

Synchronous and asynchronous communication technologies

Communication technologies are designed to be either synchronous or asynchronous.

When to use synchronous or asynchronous communication technologies

Each method of communicating has advantages and disadvantages. Choose which one to use, and when, depending on factors such as:

• what technology is available to both teachers and students
• what type of teaching or learning or activity is being done
• learners' ages, stages, and digital fluency
• when the communication is taking place.

A combination of both methods forms an effective overall online learning experience for a student.

Choosing a conferencing platform to create your online classroom

In a virtual classroom learning is accessed through a mix of web applications including:

• video conferencing for regular real-time (synchronous) sessions
• a shared online resource space for accessing course material and independent study.

When choosing a platform, consider:

• what online communication tools you already have available to use or are familiar with
• how easy is it to set up user accounts
• how many students can participate in the online classroom
• what features the platform offers
• what hardware and software or apps the platform runs on.

Commonly used platforms

Google Hangouts Meet

Part of Google’s G Suite products. Schools that have Google G Suite in place automatically have access to Google Hangouts Meet as long as it has been enabled by an administrator. Meet runs in a browser or using a mobile app. To get started visit Welcome to your first day of Google Hangouts Meet .

Microsoft Teams

Part of Microsoft’s Office 365 suite of products, provided at no cost to schools as part of the Ministry’s Microsoft Agreement. Schools that have Office 365 in place automatically have access to Teams as long as it has been enabled by an administrator. Teams runs in a browser, using software or using a mobile app. To get started visit Get started with Microsoft Teams for remote learning .

Zoom

A feature-rich video conferencing solution. Using Zoom requires teachers and students to set up a new account. Zoom offers a full-featured Basic Plan for free with unlimited meetings. Zoom runs in a browser, using software or using a mobile app. To get started visit the Zoom getting started help centre page .

Practical tips for teachers using video conferencing platforms for online classrooms

If you are beginning in an online environment, familiarise yourself with your online tool, and start with short manageable sessions as you develop expertise.

Getting started

• Start with a trial of only a few students or colleagues and schedule your online class for a short length of time such as 15 minutes.
• Choose to use the platform and tools that you and your learners are already using and familiar with.
• Check that students know how to use the platform.
• Schedule classes well in advance using the URL created when setting up the video conference session.

Forming relationships is typically best done synchronously. Then, asynchronous communication helps to sustain those relationships.

e-Learning teacher, Nicky Lewis explains the importance of building relationships with the students she works with virtually and how she does this.

During the online class

• Start and finish on time.
• Be clear about the purpose and learning outcomes for each lesson and create structure to your lessons in the same way as you would face-to-face.
• Have participants mute their microphones when they are not talking.
• Provide some time for students to chat together and have one of your students monitor the chat.
• Your audio is the most important thing to get right; use headphones with a built-in microphone if your device's audio is poor or if you are in a noisy place.
• For your video, have your face lit up from in front and avoid having a light window in the background. Consider what people can see as your background.
• Try to look at your webcam when you are talking rather than the screen so that you connect more effectively with participants
• Try to relax and have fun – connecting online with students can be equally as rewarding as when you are face-to-face.

Going further – planning for effective learning

Take an inclusive approach as you design your learning spaces.

• Use visual aids when you are talking – low tech such as paper and pens, books are often more effective than high tech
• Slowly get to know the in-built functions such as screen-sharing, breakout rooms, polling/voting/quiz tools, hand-raising, annotation tools, and so on.
• Use other synchronous online tools such as collaborative docs, whiteboards, quizzes, brainstorming sites, and so on, to make your lesson more interactive and varied. Limit the online resources that students are sent to, so as to not overwhelm them.
• Save questions up to the end of the session – use your chat monitor to help.
• Use the different views to your advantage – usually, the gallery views are best as you can see everyone’s faces.
• Turn your video on – seeing each other builds connections, helps participants to read body language, and makes for clearer communication.
• Encourage two-way communication. Ask students to come prepared to share something with the rest of the class so that communication is not only from you, the teacher.

After the online class

• Consider how students will contact you, or each other, for help when it is needed.
• Schedule small group meetings with students, if possible, to check in with them.

Virtual learning courses

By offering virtual courses schools provide a very diverse curriculum to meet the needs of their learners. Large and small schools gain from offering virtual courses.

Online learning organisations

VLN Primary School

The VLN Primary School is a Charitable Trust dedicated to creating exciting learning opportunities for children across New Zealand, using online learning technologies. 

NetNZ

A large community of secondary and area schools who work together to provide online programmes of learning based on the New Zealand Curriculum. 

NEX – Kōtuitui Online Teachers Network

NetNZ and the VLN Primary School, supported by the Ministry of Education, are collaborating to develop a new Network of Expertise (NEX) for online teaching and learning. NEX is aimed at teachers who are teaching online in New Zealand schools, teachers who want to teach and collaborate online, and teachers who support online learners.

Lalaosalafai Tu’ua describes his experience of using video conferencing to teach Samoan at NCEA Level 3 at Southern Cross Campus in Mangere.

NetNZ

Ashburton College (with more than 700 senior students) and Roxburgh Area School (with only 30 senior students), offer NCEA courses run by NetNZ .

Classes take place on Google Hangouts video conferencing and typically learners from several different schools are in the same class. Each course is run by an e-Teacher and students are expected to self-manage their learning. They are supported in their own school by local staff in a learning commons style space.

Ashburton College e-Dean, Anne Williams explains how online learning provides students with timetable flexibility and personalisation of learning. She explains their system of support for students to enable successful learning outcomes. 

Ashburton College students, Vlad and Olivia describe the benefits of timetable flexibility, easy access to course content, and the independent learning skills they have developed through participating in NetNZ courses. 

Ashburton College e-Dean, Anne Williams explains students are developing many skills through being an online learner. Students say they are becoming more organised, feel motivated, have learnt to use a range of digital tools, and feel like they're in charge of their own learning. 

More information »

• Innovative learning environments
• Senior secondary teaching and learning guides

Browse through the learning snapshots and videos below. 

Use the filters to find videos that relate to your specific area of interest.

Filter by: Primary Secondary Social media Remote learning Video conferencing

Using technologies to connect with the community

Principal Jane Danielson explains the different applications they are using to connect with their community. 

Engaging your school community using technologies

Rob Clarke, principal of Burnham School, explains the importance of face-to-face meetings in terms of successful whānau and community engagement with e-learning tools.

Using Ustream to share assemblies

James Rea, DP at Russell Street School, shares how they are using Ustream to live stream their school assemblies.

Using blogs to communicate with the school community

James Rea, DP at Russell Street School, shares how students are using their library blog to post book reviews and character profiles.

Using video conferencing to expand learning options

Southern Cross Campus student Shona Unasa takes economics via video conference.

Teaching Samoan via video conference

Lalaosalafai Tu’ua describes his experience of using video conferencing to teach Samoan at NCEA Level 3 at Southern Cross Campus in Mangere.

Sharing book reviews with QR codes

Hillcrest Normal School librarian, Kim Bizo demonstrates and describes the process for making QR codes of book reviews with gifted and talented students. 

Engaging parents in learning through technology

Hillcrest Normal School teacher, Michelle Macintyre shares how technology has enabled parents to be involved in different ways with students' learning.

Using mobile devices to improve communication

Parents from Holy Cross School explain how they are able to connect easily with the school, using mobile devices and different forms of digital media.

Bringing the classroom to the community

Staff at Mahurangi Christian School discuss how the school connects the classroom to the community through digital technologies.

Inclusion

Waerenga o Kuri student, Herepo Wynyard talks about how the involvement of her whānau both online (through her e-portfolio), and face-to-face at school has encouraged success with her learning goals.

Building connections with parents and whānau

Wairakei School principal Shane Buckner explains the benefits of using digital technologies to build connections with parents and whānau.

Students communicating beyond the classroom using digital technologies

Teacher, Mike Crawford and his students from Woodend School describe why they are using Twitter to raise public awareness of local environmental issues.

Connecting with the community through social media

Rosin Lamb, Communications Manager at Pakuranga College, explains how they use social media to connect with the community.

Sharing student learning

Staff and students from Apiti School discuss the benefits of using e-portfolios to share student learning with parents and the community. 

Connecting learning and the community

Teacher, Nicki Fielder and students from Apiti School explain the different social media tools they use to connect with parents and the wider community.

Rewindable learning

Teachers, students, and parents from Bay of Islands College talk about rewindable learning and the benefits that it has for them.

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Resources

eTeaching 101 – be ready to teach online

NZ e-teachers participated in an online workshop designed to support them with the basics of preparing to teach online. They explored pedagogies of online teaching and learning, strategies for student engagement, areas for skills development, and ongoing support and professional learning.

• Watch the webinar »

Online learning guidelines for school leaders  

In this article, published 22 March 2020, e-Principal Rachel Whalley outlines key considerations for principals planning a successful online environment. The article includes examples of planning from primary and secondary schools.

Keep them "connected": Advice for taking learning online

Some key points to consider when planning to take your face-to-face class or school fully online. In this article published 22 March 2020, Darren Sudlow from NetNZ shares his expertise.

e-Learning in a crisis

In this blog post, Stephen McConnanchie shares what they learned at his secondary school following the Christchurch earthquake when their school was closed for seven weeks.

Learning beyond the classroom

Enabling e-Learning page outlining how the use of digital technologies enables students to personalise their learning and extend that learning beyond the classroom.

Digital tools for connected schools  

CORE Education blog post by Tessa Gray outlining how digital tools can help schools work together as networked organisations, online and off. When used appropriately, they can also help to develop collaborative relationships and facilitate powerful learning opportunities. 

Research

Virtual learning in New Zealand – a research base

A collation of research and reports from NEX– Kōtuitui Online Teachers Network. Reports focus on the policy and practice of online, flexible, and distance learning in New Zealand schools.