Rewarding Students During Distance Learning

Technology has made it possible to continue teaching during this pandemic, in many cases when it is not possible to be together face to face with students at all. Our current circumstances have teachers scrambling daily to figure out what works for students in the online classroom and what changes need to be made on the fly.

Students Need Motivation Right Now

One thing I am learning is that now more than ever students need incentives to keep moving forward in learning. The school system is working tirelessly to get materials, technology, books, and anything else students may need to be successful in online learning in the hands of students. The one thing missing is students’ social and emotional well-being during this extended period of time where they are learning at home.

One thing teachers can continue to do to make online learning more normal is to continue their reward programs or initiate a system to acknowledge students’ who are working so tirelessly during this difficult time.

Certificates and Acknowledgments

One thing I am adding to my incentives is an acknowledgment certificate to recognize students who are turning in all of the work and doing it on time. I don’t care if they are getting As or Ds as their score I care that they are trying. I email a certificate out to the student and their adults so everyone knows what a great job the student is doing. I try to do this once every 3 – 4 weeks.

Get your ASL Caught Being Good certificates here.

I am hoping to use these same certificates for a weekly shout out on social media. It will take less time since it will just be 1 – 2 students getting the shoutout. But it will be a powerful statement since the school community will be able to see it.

Other Ideas to Reward in the Digital Classroom

There are other incentives you can use during this health crisis. Many things can be done online such as a free homework pass, lunch with the teacher, an award point system (you can get some ideas here), have a virtual theme day (PJs), or you can even award students with a gift certificate to Starbucks or have a meal delivered to them via UberEats.

Get Social

There are so many great ideas out there for rewards. What are your favorite ways to reward students during distance learning? Join in the conversation in the Creative ASL Teaching group.

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