The document discusses how teachers can use technology to provide instructional continuity during disruptive events like snow days. It provides many suggestions for using tools to deliver remote content, generate student interaction, conduct assessments, and communicate expectations. The document emphasizes practicing with new tools, being flexible, and not using technology just for its own sake but to solve problems like keeping instruction on track during snow days.

1. Online Learning Network

2. Online and Blended Learning
Extravaganza

3. Candace Girard
Candace@CandaceGirard.com
@CandaceGirard

4. Snow Days: Outwit Mother
Nature with Technology
Candace Girard

5. “Instructional Continuity”
That Sounds Serious…
It does NOT sound fun!
But it really just means keeping your class on schedule during disruptive times (this might mean weather events, or it
might mean widespread illness – anything that keeps the students from coming to class).
Snow Days: Outwit Mother Nature With Technology @candacegirard

6. Snow’s Coming!
Get Your Bread And Milk!
Just as you would prepare your home and family for a snowstorm, you can also prepare your class. Plan ways and
learn tools that allow you to do things remotely so that Mother Nature will not wreak havoc with your schedule.
Snow Days: Outwit Mother Nature With Technology @candacegirard

7. Your Schedule Is Slipping…
Better Tuck That In!
It’s hard enough to stay on track as it is. It’s really hard to do if you are missing multiple days. Use the data analytics
from previous classes to determine what areas to really focus on with remote content.
Snow Days: Outwit Mother Nature With Technology @candacegirard

8. There Is More Than One
Way To Skin A Cat…
Or To Learn From A MOOC
You can enroll in a MOOC class, not just to learn about that topic, but to see how they structure the content for online
delivery. Go through a few from different organizations and see what you like.
Snow Days: Outwit Mother Nature With Technology @candacegirard

9. Blend It
Flip It
Snow Day It
If you are already incorporating ‘blended learning’ or ‘flipped classroom’ concepts and technology into your classroom,
then you are already well on your way. Snow day learning is really very similar (you have permission to play with your
phone for the rest of this presentation).
Snow Days: Outwit Mother Nature With Technology @candacegirard

10. Content:
Be Seen, Be Heard
There are various ways to deliver content remotely. There are free tools to help you record video or audio for the
students to watch or listen to. Just keep it short and digestible (a few minutes for each clip).
Snow Days: Outwit Mother Nature With Technology @candacegirard

11. Interaction:
Give And Take
There are ways to generate remote interaction. You can set up a webinar with breakout rooms and white boards – and
have the groups come back together and share their work with the virtual class.
Snow Days: Outwit Mother Nature With Technology @candacegirard

12. Assessments:
Assess The Situation
There are online quiz tools that allow you to configure for timed or untimed exams, with multiple attempts, and instant
feedback.
Snow Days: Outwit Mother Nature With Technology @candacegirard

13. Submissions:
Take It All In
Have students email their work on snow days, or use collaboration sites to post papers and projects. You can set it up
so that they can see each other’s work, or not, work together on presentations, or not.
Snow Days: Outwit Mother Nature With Technology @candacegirard

14. Learning Management Systems
And Class Websites:
A Little Or A Lot
You can have a single page with announcements or you can do a class that is fully integrated in the LMS with all of the
bells and whistles, or somewhere in the middle.
Snow Days: Outwit Mother Nature With Technology @candacegirard

15. Classroom Response Systems:
Interaction From The Couch
There are tools that allow you to take attendance remotely, deliver questions synchronously or asynchronously,
anonymous or not, or take a poll like we are doing at this conference.
Snow Days: Outwit Mother Nature With Technology @candacegirard

16. Communication:
Everybody On
The Same Page
This is key. The students need to know what is expected of them. If you want them to do something on a snow day,
then they need to know that, so set the expectation. Make sure the parents know as well.
Snow Days: Outwit Mother Nature With Technology @candacegirard

17. Technology Coaches:
Let Them Inspire
And Guide You
That’s what they are there for. They have all this expertise and access to tools - and they are bursting to share it with
you. They want you to be successful. They can get you deals. Lean on them.
Snow Days: Outwit Mother Nature With Technology @candacegirard

18. Teacher Practice:
Let’s Not Embarrass Ourselves
Vendors will often give you a 30 day free trial period. Use that time to get used to a new tool. Don’t try to wing it with
new technology in front of the class (that doesn’t always go well). Practice ahead. Avoid stress.
Snow Days: Outwit Mother Nature With Technology @candacegirard

19. Student Practice:
Do A Dress Rehearsal
Just like you need to practice with new tools, so do they. If you want them working remotely on a snow day, declare a
fake snow day, and have them do all their work in school that day on their devices, with you right there to assist if
necessary.
Snow Days: Outwit Mother Nature With Technology @candacegirard

20. Be Flexible
Stick With What Works,
Toss What Doesn’t
The technology should make it easier, not harder. If a tool is more trouble than it’s worth, ditch it. If you waste the first
twenty minutes of a webinar fighting with audio, it’s not worth it.
Snow Days: Outwit Mother Nature With Technology @candacegirard

21. Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day
Your Snow Day Plan
Won’t Be, Either
Take time now to start thinking about it, while it’s hot and sunny –
don’t wait till the snow is piled up at the door and the students are at home.
Snow Days: Outwit Mother Nature With Technology @candacegirard

22. Don’t Use Technology
Just For The Sake Of Using It
Use It To Solve A Problem
Where have we heard this before? Ms. O’Brien made this same point in her keynote yesterday – and it bears
repeating, especially as we make our way through that big expo hall with all the shiny products and convincing
salesmen.
Snow Days: Outwit Mother Nature With Technology @candacegirard

23. Takeaway:
We Can Outwit Mother Nature…
We Have The Technology
Snow Days: Outwit Mother Nature With Technology @candacegirard