VDOE Instructional Support During School Closures

16 March, 2020

In an effort to support teachers and schools during this time, multiple resources have been provided by the VDOE and different education organizations. These resources may expand as more organizations provide support for K-12 instruction. We will do our best to keep you updated on reliable resources that become available.

1. Zoom Video Conferencing

The CEO of Zoom Video Conferencing is providing free access to Zoom video conferences for K-12 educators and their students. This easy to use platform allows for face to face interactions for instruction. Access to this powerful resource can be found here.

2. Instructional Support per Supts Memo #071-20
Virtual Virginia Resources and Free Teacher Training to Support Virtual Learning. Virtual Virginia is a program offered by the VDOE at no cost to school divisions. Virtual Virginia is pleased to host a series of three webinars at no cost over the next few weeks for all Virginia public educators:

Foundations of Online Teaching Using Web Conferencing

Thursday, March 19, at 4 p.m. EST

Participants will learn how to create online classrooms, structure a live instructional session, and share best practices for synchronous instruction.

Supporting Instruction through Video Lessons

Thursday, March 26, at 4 p.m. EST

Participants will learn how to use free tools to record brief video lessons that can be shared with students.

Teaching Online with Virtual Virginia Digital Content

Thursday, April 2, at 4 p.m. EST

Participants will learn how to quickly get the most out of the Virtual Virginia Outreach Resources (listed below), create assignments, monitor progress, and much more.

Please encourage your staff to register for these webinars by clicking here.

Free Resources to Support Virtual Learning. Virtual Virginia offers 14 course resources in EPF, Math, Science, and Computer Science at no cost for teachers and students to use in blended delivery via the Virtual Virginia LMS.

● Economics and Personal Finance

● Personal Finance

● Economics

● Algebra I

● Algebra II

● Geometry

● Math Analysis/Pre-Calculus

● Earth Science I

● Biology I

● Chemistry

● Physics II

● Computer Science Foundations

● Computer Science Principles

● Computer Science Programming

These resources contain fully developed lessons aligned to Virginia Standards of Learning, videos, interactive applications, and assessments. Visit the Virtual Virginia website to learn more about how to begin using these free resources (VVA Outreach Program). Should you have any additional needs for support through Virtual Virginia’s digital content, please contact Sarah Warnick, Director of Products & Services ([email protected]).

3. Newsela:

Newsela is offering free access to all educators through the end of this school year. In addition, they are offering free professional development on remote instruction. More information can be found here.