Tech Tools & Helpful Hacks

Using Virtual Team Teaching to Connect Classrooms

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This post originally ran on EdTech Digest here.

Inspiration or pure insanity. These are the only possible reasons why “Virtual Team Teaching” is successful within an elementary school setting. What is this technology teaching thing? A new curriculum?  A professional development book? Essentially, it is two teachers who have combined two classrooms, at two different schools to create one virtual, collaborative environment. Our initial intentions were basic; we wanted students to share information and get to know one another using video. From there, it progressed to students educating each other about topics they were studying in class. Finally, it evolved into an inexplicable entity we never expected.

Not only had it become a student-centered pedagogy, but a student created pedagogy.

Our students began connecting and learning in ways we couldn’t have imagined when we started. Take one of our favorite collaborative moments centered on an integrated health unit: our students were communicating over a video conferencing tool while simultaneously working on a shared cloud document. These elementary-age children were working on a spreadsheet, interpreting data, learning word processing skills, collaborating, and discussing information while carrying themselves with poise, respect, and confidence. They had the opportunity to redefine and shape themselves while learning about different peers, different experiences, and different cultures. They embodied the art of meaningful, productive communication. Perhaps the experience is best described by our students: “This has changed our learning so much that we feel like we are now the teachers. We have a different point of view.”

With more teachers involved, the possibilities are limitless for what this style of teaching can accomplish.


Ready to start collaborating with other educators? Here are our top 3 suggestions as you venture into the world of redefined digital collaboration:

  • TouchCast
    Smart video…which is exactly what it sounds like. This tool enables you to record videos with interactive features. The sky is the limit when considering the lessons that you can put together for your students, or even better, the videos your students can create themselves.
    Quick collaboration tip: Have students create ‘get to know me’ videos using vApps.
  • Zoom
    Our “go-to” for teleconferencing. Zoom allows you to record sessions, share your screen, annotate, invite multiple attendees (including parents), and much more. You can access this tool by invite code (or email invite) only.
    Quick collaboration tip: When conferencing with another class, always begin with basic introductions. It helps participants gain some added familiarity and comfort with the teleconferencing environment. Don’t forget to record it! 
  • Nearpod
    Customizable, interactive, mobile presentations. Nearpod includes mind-blowing features including 3D diagrams, VR field trips, videos, audio files, open response questions, polls, quizzes, a draw feature, collaborate boards, fill-in-the-blanks, standard-aligned lessons, and more.
    Quick collaboration tip: Why control one classroom when you can control two with over 40 students?!  Design lessons to engage two different classrooms from two different locations.

Want to start collaborating with us or others? Reach out on Twitter @collabgenius or visit virtualteamteach.weebly.com.


Rachel and Steven are elementary school teachers, Apple Distinguished Educators, and PBS Digital Innovators with a knack for collaboration. Using a teaching method they co-created known as “Virtual Team Teaching”, they bring two geographically separated elementary classes together to help students learn from their peers across the city. See how they have used this approach to help their own 4th grade students become more collaborative and confident communicators.

Rachel Thomas

Rachel Thomas 4th Grade Teacher

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