Using a Schedule Effectively for
Distance Learning
T I P S A N D R E S O U R C E S F O R E D U C ATO R S
Schedules are an Evidence Based Practice that can help students be more available for learning. They are helpful to
all students by clarifying what is going to happen, increasing predictability and making abstract concepts such as time
concrete, and they help students to be more independent.
Here are a few ideas on how you can utilize schedules during distance learning or help caregivers provide structure for
their students.
❑ Tip 1: Begin by scheduling your entire learning time. There are two ways to do this: using concrete
windows of time, or providing a list of things to do when it fits.
Schedule with Time Noted Schedule without Time Noted
This type of schedule is helpful if you are Think of this as a checklist. This schedule
providing live instruction via a teleconferencing removes the concrete times and allows for more
app. Help caregivers remember when students flexibility for the student or caregiver. It is simply
should be logged on by using calendar invites that a list of things to do during a set period of time.
will sync to their phones or computers. It may be helpful to give students and caregivers
an idea of how much time to anticipate a lesson
Example: to take.
9:00 Language Arts
10:00 Math Example:
10:45 Break • Read Chapter 4 of Tuck Everlasting and write a
11:00 Science/Social Studies summary of the chapter. (1 hour)
• Watch lesson on finding the common
denominator and complete worksheet
provided. (45 minutes)
• Complete lesson and activity on Hydropower
(30 minutes)
When creating this schedule, do your best to find the balance.
• Balance activities that require sitting and listening with activities that involve movement and response.
• Balance activities that involve a high level of verbal or written responses and demands with activities with low
demands.
• Balance activities that are required with time for students to choose what to work on.
❑ Tip 2: For activities or students that may need more support, create an activity schedule breaking
down the individual components of a task.
Example: Comparing Fractions Example: “Into the Hive” Science lesson
• Watch as Ms. Sullivan models comparing • Read “Working the Hive,” page 5
fractions • Underline all sequence words
• Complete problems 2-4 on page together • Answer questions 1-3
• Complete even problems on page 132 • Read “Being of Service,” page 6
independently. Raise your hand if you need • Underline all sequence words
help. • Answer questions 4-6
❑ Tip 3: No matter which schedule you choose, you must teach your students and caregivers how to
use the schedule you designed.
First, make the schedule visible to learners or caregivers. Create an image for each day and share it in your video
while you teach, post it on your virtual platform, or send it out however you distribute your content.
Next, model using the schedule. Talk through the schedule with your students in the same way you would in class.
Reference it before an activity begins and once an activity is complete.
Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) is a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
program dedicated to improve assessment and treatment services for children with autism spectrum disorder and
their families while advancing knowledge and training. [Link]
04/20