Online Learning Strategies for Students with special needs


​Over the last few years, online courses have become more common. During the current public health emergency, many postsecondary institutions have moved their courses online. Students with disabilities may want to adopt specific strategies for learning as they transition to online courses. Many students with disabilities have shared their experiences and recommendations for online learning; the DO-IT Center has compiled the advice into an easily digestible resource find it by clicking the button to the right.

Strategies for successful teaching with video conference apps

This document offers strategies to help all students and especially special needs students when using video conferencing technology for teaching and learning are.

getting​ started with Google 

Learn to log in to your MDUSD Google account with the guide on the right.
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 Learn how to navigate your Google Drive with the Introduction to Google slide show to the right. 

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​Learn how to share a document in your Google Drive by clicking the button to the right for a step-by-step guide.








If you need help understanding how to use a Chromebook the short video on the right will help.

Google Classroom

This is learning management system that teachers can set up to deliver assignments to students and students can return them back in via the platform.

Google meet Video Meetings

As part of the Google tools in our MDUSD Google accounts Google Meets provides a way to do Video conference with students and also to record your direct instructions to post into Google Classroom.


​How to get started with Google Hangouts and invite students.






How to Share your screen and watch your students in Google Meet at the same time.

The power of chrome extensions

Chrome extensions add lots of additional functionality to your Chrome browser.  Adding Chrome extensions can only be done by teachers within the MDUSD Google accounts.   Extensions for students can be added either through your Principal or the AT Services.

Here is a tutorial on how to add Chrome extensions to the Google Chrome browser.

Zoom video conferencing

 This is a Free app that allows you to connect with a large number of people in an online video conference.  You as the host invite guest (students) with a simple link. This may be an excellent way to flush out any common questions students have, give complicated direct instruction and have some much needed social time together.  To the right are short videos that will help you understand how to use Zoom.

online whiteboards
 Ziteboard
This chrome extension is an online whiteboard that will not work on phones but will work on Chromebooks and other devices including iPads. 

​To the right are two short videos that show how to use this tool.

Google Jamboard
Google Jamboard works with in the Google drive and makes it easy to share and collaborate with other MDUSD Google users.  to the right is a video to help you understand how to use this tool.  Once you log into your MDUSD Google you search for Jamboard.google.com and it opens in your Google drive.  Teachers can invite students to join then for tutoring. It will work on iPad and cell phones.

Screencasting to Connect and Teach

To promote virtual learning you can use Screencasting with a great Chrome extension Screencasitfy.  You can give direct instructions on how to use Google classroom or explain assignments by going through the document on screen. This is a great app for Music Performances, world languages, deaf students signing and other assignments that a video.

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Discipline When Using Technology for Learning

Some students may have trouble staying focused on their work while using technology.  If you or parents see too much off-task use while students use technology such as going to non-educational sites, playing games or chatting with friends you need to redirect these students.  The best way to deal with students who struggle with being off task while using technology is to simply let them know the device will be timed out for a period of time. Which means teachers will need to partner with parents to have the device put away and clearly letting the student know why this is happening.  Hopefully once or twice in doing this will help students who struggle with this.