Some school districts have been getting in social media hot water by trying to regulate what students and teachers wear during online learning. Face-to-face contact with colleagues and teammates is essential. Here are sample process norms or group guidelines that a team might use to effectively conduct its business. Do not multi-task (do other work) during the meeting. You may use these sample team norms as a starting point, but each team needs to go through the process of generating and committing to its own team norms… Let your grade/content level teams set the agendas for the meeting. Copyright © 2020. So many of us are feeling isolated and overwhelmed. A school’s focus should always be on the needs of the students and that often clarifies the next steps. Here’s how to set norms for respectful school staff meetings, so that everyone feels heard: The word “rules” automatically makes many people bristle and the goal is to appeal to everyone on your team. Download the Zoom app. Bring two possible solutions for every one complaint. Teachers can pre-assign the groups before class, assign them manually during the meeting, or have Zoom randomly break students into groups. During staff meetings, suggest that everyone try their best to find a quiet place, let others know they are unavailable, and close their doors. developing a set of operating norms or ground rules. Keep background distractions to a minimum. As a general rule, limiting the number of norms to 5–7 makes it easier for teams to keep them in mind. Being able ... 2. Request cameras on. Nothing is worse than sitting in … As always, the ultimate purpose of faculty meetings should be focused on outcomes for kids. The scheduled start time is when talking should Ideas, Inspiration, and Giveaways for Teachers, Practical advice, inspiration, and tools for K-12 school leaders. Times are hard, and we’re all stressed. 6 Armstrong Road | Suite 301 | Shelton, CT | 06484, $10,000 IN PRIZES! It’s a waste of time to come to a meeting filled … All rights reserved. Here are some alternatives to Ground Rules: Use the word respect in everything you do. 1. Be respectful of those concerns and allow staff to use virtual backgrounds for meetings if desired. 2. They set the expectations for the group, encourage risk taking and participation, and establish accountability. 4. Try opening your meeting with something fun, such as one of these 15 Virtual Icebreakers to Cheer Up Your Online Meetings. This activity will walk you through the steps to create norms for a team or group. If you have to run a teacher meeting and … Expectations and norms about business meetings in general differ across cultures. How to Be Successful With Online Faculty Meetings. There’s nothing worse than showing up on time, ready to go, and having to sit around waiting for colleagues to join a meeting. Everyone can get on board with these clear and simple guidelines. It takes a little practice, but ask participants to keep their microphone on mute unless they are speaking and encourage everyone to take a beat before they jump in. Agendas and conversations should ultimately be centered around doing what is best for our students, especially in this crazy, uncertain time. Even though we had a taste of online learning and communication in the spring, we’re all still learning. 5. What needs must be met in order to solve the problem? Plus, guidelines for in-person staff meetings. When it comes to faculty meetings, everyone is happier when a clear agenda is set and followed. Teachers who are over-tired or unfocused can’t be there for students. Raise hand, clap, disagree, speed up, slow down. Connecting as a staff is more important than ever. These suggestions for setting norms for online faculty meetings are a good place to start. It’s hard not to talk over one another, particularly when the conversation is spirited. 2. As many school districts go into the new school year with at least some of their operations online, school leaders are wondering how to plan effective online faculty meetings. • Violation of norms should be addressed. Some people may not feel they’re doing anything wrong, because we all have different tolerance levels when it comes to actions and behavior. The teacher can divide students up into smaller groups, then bring the entire class back together. And they are essential to keep your school’s shared vision on track. • Less is more. Review the ‘purpose’ for setting norms (e.g. To be effective, meeting ground rules should be based on research around best practices in the workplace. Provide examples of norms by posting the list of norms that appears on Page 5 of this issue of Tools for Schools. And doing so effectively requires full attention to the business on hand. A set of norms should be concise (no more than seven), kid-friendly, and applicable to all members of the classroom community. Team norms are the basic ground rules for civil discussion among coworkers that should be followed no matter what. This is where meeting ground rules come in to play. A few key norms are better than a laundry list. 3. Once you’ve established ground rules and agreed to them, use those rules to help bring everyone back to center regularly. Developing norms for remote learning will help foster engagement and accountability. Stay in One Spot during the Zoom. Oh, and nobody cares if your roots are showing or your office is messy! Raising your hand in class is simple, but getting the teacher’s attention in a synchronous class is more difficult. 3. Examples of Team Norms • We will maintain a positive tone at our meetings. Although these norms were originally developed to support school-based teams as they work through the Data Wise Improvement Process, we have found that they can be useful in a variety of settings, from teacher team meetings to central office workshops to faculty meetings at colleges and universities. Even treatment of teachers’ needs is ultimately about student needs. To create that understanding, as well as buy-in, students should be at the center of the discussion that creates the norms. Make your time together inspirational. By adopting these few simple norms, you can help ensure staff meetings will be a time to come together to cheer each other on, share ideas, and solve problems. That being said, some teachers have legitimate privacy concerns and may not want to expose their coworkers or supervisor to the inner workings of their homes. Ask teachers to help create protocols that address the high priority items. Listen with care instead of “building your story”. North American May 31, 2018 Too often, teachers assume that students know how to behave in a virtual meeting. A sample team norms document, created for grade 1 collaborative team meetings. The Adaptive School: A Sourcebook for Developing Collaborative Groups. Below are some tips to help you focus and prepare for developing remote learning norms. So many of us are feeling isolated and overwhelmed. SIDE NOTE: I am a big fan of Sophie Kasahara, a 3rd year teacher in St. Paul , MN. This is a great handout for parents and teachers to describe developmental articulation acquisition. Break into smaller groups or schedule one-on-one sessions for individuals with specific questions or problems that are not relevant to the whole group. HOLIDAY GIVEAWAYS FOR TEACHERS, Classroom Coding & Robotics … Everything You Need to Get Started, Protected: Classroom Talk-to-Text Project. This assessment should include a review of members’ adherence to team norms and the need to add new norms. Create faculty “base teams.” These norms are put in place so that various points of view are offered and discussed among the team and not just by the will of the people in the right. But it’s essential for the entire faculty to approach meetings with an open mind, listening ears, and a commitment to working together respectfully for the benefit of all. How do you ensure that your time together is productive and effective? Remember, this is a time to be flexible. Elizabeth Mulvahill is a teacher, writer and mom who loves learning new things, hearing people's stories and traveling the globe. Copyright © 2020. There are three parts of the virtual meeting for which you should set norms: before, during, and after the meeting. Collaborate with staff on developing norms for expected behavior. By now, we’ve all witnessed things like dogs jumping onto laps, kids running in and out of the room, doors slamming, and doorbells ringing. The same is true for staff meeting behavior. Have you had an experience with ground rules that could benefit others and help set the tone for respectful school staff meetings? Communicate the purpose of faculty meetings. I know this seems like a great time to give your school friends a … 6 Armstrong Road | Suite 301 | Shelton, CT | 06484, $10,000 IN PRIZES! No doubt, everyone’s experience this fall is going to be unique and there may be a need for more guidance than usual. Here are a few sample meeting norms that I have found to be effective: We will be engaged and present during our time together and limit our use of electronic devices to emergencies only. Log in a couple of minutes ahead of time. Decisions that affect everyone at your school should involve everyone in your school. Listening to one speaker at a time in a group conversation is a bit tricky with video conferencing because there is that tiny bit of lag time. These are the 3 rules she built classroom norms around in her classroom this week. to work collaboratively and effectively) and then test for clarity; Review the ‘outcome’ or results expected by the end of norm setting (e.g. Consider using norms that address the common behavioral challenges with virtual meetings. 2. Here are some of the factors you might want to include in your poll: Once you’ve gathered your poll results, bring the information to the meeting. Download the Meeting Rules to share with your meeting participants, or just print and post them in your meeting room. Virtual Learning, Leader Resources, Teacher Resources Here’s a quick infographic you can share with your team to help establish new norms for virtual meetings … Wear what makes you comfortable. When the status quo becomes putting your thoughts out there, people feel more empowered. 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