Establishing Norms and Protocols in Remote/Hybrid Learning (A Community of Learners)

Google Doc version (to print or share): Establishing Norms and Protocols

Objective

To establish mutually agreed-upon norms and protocols that will encourage students to act out of a sense of personal responsibility.

The estimated activity time is 45-60 minutes.

Read this E-Text

Norms (sometimes called norms of engagement) are standard expectations for engaging in a group, such as a community of learners. Norms might include listening to one another, making eye contact when someone is speaking, offering help to others when they need it, etc.

Protocols emerge from the norms as a set of rules or procedures for engaging with others in a specific situation, such as in a discussion. Discussion protocols can be powerful tools used to foster community, engagement, critical thinking, equitable discussions, and a sense of belonging.

Part I

The School Reform Initiative (SRI) provides a diverse range of protocols that can be implemented with students and families, and within collaborative work teams. Each protocol will serve its own purpose. SRI’s web page of protocols has an alphabetical list of hundreds of protocols that offer structured processes to support focused and productive conversations, build collective understanding, and drive school improvement.

Take 15 minutes to explore some of the protocols that interest you. We have chosen 6 protocols from SRI’s list that you might want to start with. Otherwise, choose from any of the listed protocols on the SRI website.

Part II

Remote/hybrid learning environments require their own set of protocols as learners navigate both learning at home and learning at school. Choose one or more of the example protocols for remote and hybrid learning below to explore and consider using in your own learning environment

Part III

To create effective protocols, you will need to establish mutually agreed-upon norms with your learners. Use the table below to brainstorm the core values you would want to see in your learning community. Then use the table to frame a discussion with your learners to create norms for your learning environment. You may refer to the tips provided below or use the table linked here: Establishing Norms and Protocols (Table)

Norms:

  • Represent collective agreements 
  • Are co-created between teachers and students 
  • Narrow the core values and behaviors of a learning community

Take a moment to envision what you want interactions to look, sound, and feel like as students are working independently, as a large group, or in smaller groups.

When I am working independently:
  • I want to see:
  • I want to hear:
  • I want to feel:
When I am working in a large group:
  • I want to see:
  • I want to hear:
  • I want to feel:
When I am working in a small group:
  • I want to see:
  • I want to hear:
  • I want to feel:

Stop & Think

Key (T – teacher; SL – school leader; DL – district leader)

  • What are some of the identified or understood norms that guide your engagement with your colleagues in the remote world? (T, SL, DL) 
  • What are some of the situations in which you need to work as a group or with another person that could benefit from using a protocol? (T, SL, DL)
  • What norms would you like to see established for the students in your class? (T)
  • What situations exist in your remote/hybrid learning environment where students would benefit from following protocols? (Ex: buddy reading, science experiments, peer editing, art critique, etc.)
  • Think about the language you want to include or avoid to ensure that all cultures, languages, orientations, and identities are represented in your norms and protocols? (T, SL, DL)

Brainstorm & Design

Using the remote/hybrid learning protocol examples above, revise one or design your own to use with your students as they engage in remote learning. (T)