Executive Functioning Forums: Digital Executive Functioning during Remote Learning

Executive functioning skills are a common deficit for our students with autism and low-incidence disabilities. Many teachers have excellent executive functioning supports in place within the classroom. However, with the switch to remote learning this is an area that needs to directly addressed in a whole new setting with new expectations. In today's Executive Functioning Forum we will provide some ideas for Digital Executive Functioning during Remote Learning

 

The first step in digital executive functioning is developing a digital organizational system. For younger grades, this system may be developed by the teacher and then taught to the student. However, as students get older it is important to involve them in the development of any organizational systems since this is an important independent living skill.

Don't overcomplicate the system. Look at what is already used in the physical classroom and expand upon those structures. Focus on consistent color coding and labeling.


Color Coding
In many classrooms, they have a system for color coding each academic subject. This can be replicated in Google Classroom for folders.

Additionally, students can be taught to organize their emails by academic subject so that they are easier to find when needed. Create a folder for the academic year and then individual folders for each academic subject. Remind students when they recieve an email about an assignment, grade, or answers to questions they should remember to file the email accordingly.

In the physical classroom, it is an important executive functioning practice to make time for routine desk or locker cleaning. This practice is also important in the digital classroom. Schedule time each week for students to organize their emails and assignments to ensure they are using their established organizational systems.


Labeling
In additional to labeling folders and email files, it is important to develop a consistent system for labeling assignments across all academic subjects. This is the equivalent to students writing their name and identifying information in the header. Headers may include the students name, subject, assignment name, and date.

Assignment names should be consistent across all platforms. This can aide in organization and when searching for assignments later. Students should label files with the assignment name. Teachers can use the same name on assignment sheets, emails, and grading system.

The first few weeks should be focused on establishing and practing these organizational systems to set up the year for success. And as mentioned above, don't forget to set aside time for weekly organization.