Instruction Support and Distance Learning
As Oklahoma teachers prepare to take on the of relaunching school during this time of disruption, the Office of Curriculum and Instruction is working to support teachers in designing their in-person, blended, virtual, and temporarily blended learning plans and increase available options for enriching learning opportunities.
For comments and questions, please contact Tiffany Neill, Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, or Levi Patrick, Assistant Deputy of Curriculum and Instruction.
Return to Learn: Launching Instruction
The Office of Curriculum and Instruction strives to create resources and guidance that are timely, actionable and centered around creating more access to ambitious teaching and learning for all students. The challenges faced in adjusting instruction for distance learning requires a great deal of vision, grace, patience, communication, and flexibility. We know that the best-laid plans are only viable until they aren't. Then, we reassess, revise, and try again.
The Return to Learn: Launching Instruction series provides educators at all levels guiding questions and meaningful actions that might help the return to learning go more smoothly. The guidance is based upon the belief that progress in students’ academic growth cannot be made without attending to the safety, health, and emotional well-being of each student and teacher.
Elementary Level Guidance
Secondary Level Guidance
Distance Learning Tasks Database
Please note that all Distance Learning Guidance provided here and in the sections that follow were originally developed for the closure of schools that occurred during the spring of the 2019-20 school year. While some information may be outdated, there are numerous resources and tips that may prove useful during the 2020-21 school year. For the most current guidance, visit the Return to Learn: Launching Instruction section above.
In addition to the hundreds of sample learning tasks made available through the Distance Learning Guidance for Instruction documents, there are many resources being developed and shared by educators across the state. We have created a database designed to help you find and share the very best activities that are engaging for students so that you can focus your attention on taking care of yourself, your family, and on connecting with your students.
- For a step-by-step guide on how to utilize the database and how to share lesson and activity ideas of your own, visit a brief tutorial here.
- Looking for other websites with lists of activities? Check out the links provided here.
- Want to share a lesson, activity, or a link to another database right now? Submit your ideas here.
Video Conferencing and Digital Instruction Guidance and Support
Please note that all Distance Learning Guidance provided here and in the sections that follow were originally developed for the closure of schools that occurred during the spring of the 2019-20 school year. While some information may be outdated, there are numerous resources and tips that may prove useful during the 2020-21 school year. For the most current guidance, visit the Return to Learn: Launching Instruction section above.
As April 6 marks the beginning of Oklahoma schools relaunching under within the new Distance Learning requirements, many teachers are being asked to learn brand new technologies to engage and support their students. Through the Curriculum and Instruction virtual meetings, we have heard many your needs and concerns, including that it would be useful to compile some straightforward guidance that will help you to learn more about how to leverage digital tools effectively and safely.
We are happy to announce that we’ve made some progress in this effort and have a few resources to share. Please bookmark these resources as we will continue to update them as we find opportunities to improve them.
Video Conferencing Guidance
Download Guidance
- Provides guidance on federal laws that are pertinent to the safety of students in online activities.
- Provides general considerations to ensure video conferences are safe, accessible, and well-organized.
- Recommends clear expectations for students, providing a sample set of Student Expectations.
- Links to further guidance for best practices for Zoom and Google Meet.
Digital Tools Tips and Tutorials
Download Digital Tools Tips and Tutorials
- Provides links to the best tutorial and guides for various digital tools.
- Digital tools and tutorials are provided in the following areas:
- Discussion Tools
- Content Delivery Tools
- Video Conferencing Tools
- Screencasting Tools
- Assessment Tools
- Other Tools
Initial Distance Learning Virtual Meetings for Instruction
Please note that all Distance Learning Guidance provided here and in the sections that follow were originally developed for the closure of schools that occurred during the spring of the 2019-20 school year. While some information may be outdated, there are numerous resources and tips that may prove useful during the 2020-21 school year. For the most current guidance, visit the Return to Learn: Launching Instruction section above.
Virtual meetings for all areas were held on Friday, March 27, and Monday, March 30. Participants had an opportunity to gain resources and collaborate with other teachers around the state to plan for distance learning. Choose any grade level or topic below to view the recorded meetings on YouTube.
