The onslaught of this pandemic has brought the world to a complete standstill because of which it created a lot of hurdles for various sectors especially the educational institutions. But thanks to technological advancements and the internet, the effects of these hurdles are simmered down.
Several video conferencing software such as Zoom, GoogleMeet, Skype etc. are helping the teachers and students to carry out their day-to-day academic activities while staying at home! However, online teaching is a lot different from that of regular classroom teaching and there are still a few challenges that come with this new mode of teaching.
To make the lives of teachers working from home easier, here are some of the simple yet effective tips which can help bring an impact to online teaching. For this type of teaching, following these basic etiquettes first saves a lot of trouble.
- Comfortable, noiseless spot with lighting: Ensuring a comfortable environment with adequate lighting and less disturbance will ease out the teaching experience. Better the environment, the greater the online teaching experience.
- Internet Connection: Having a good internet connection is no longer a luxury but a necessity. An aberration in your internet connection will only lead to a loss of engagement and interest among the students. So a good internet connection is a must for smooth online teaching and learning.
- Lecture Essentials: Technical necessities such as chargers, lecture links, notes, etc. are essential and should be kept ready before the lecture so that teachers don’t have to waste their time searching for the same.
- Essentials for breaks: Online teaching can get just as tiring as normal classroom teaching. So teachers must ensure that they take interim breaks to catch their breath and refresh to continue the online class with the same energy.
These are the basic etiquettes a teacher needs to take before starting an online lecture. However, the quality of online teaching and the learning experience of the students depend on the teaching skills and the methods employed. Here are some factors and teaching tips that the teachers can implement:
- Fun Learning: Students respond better when sessions are interesting and fun. A little bit of humour goes a long way and engages the students. Usage of interactive materials such as short videos, quizzes, etc. can kindle the interest among the students.
- Personal Experience: Teaching and communicating is not enough. Teachers must establish a connection with their students which can help the students in approaching their teachers without inhibition. The teacher-student connection can be achieved when the teachers share their experience as students and help students relate to them.
- Video Conferencing Etiquettes: This is the latest etiquettes that has been used widely in many forums that involve video conferencing. When this is implemented it can make a world difference in online teaching too. Teaching the students about how to present themselves in a video conference and also teaching how to use features can help in boosting their confidence.
- Recording lectures and live streams: Even during online lectures, there is a possibility of absenteeism among the students. However, in the online teaching setup, teachers can record the lecture they conduct and share it among their students so that the absentees can catch up on the lessons they missed.
- Group Activities: Group activities are always a good idea. This helps the students to engage with their peers and learn teamwork. With this type of teaching, teachers can initiate various breakout rooms, assign groups accordingly, and monitor their activities.
- Individual sessions: Certain students require personalized attention and they perform better with that. As teachers are working from home, they can assign a fixed time for the students who require special attention and help them address their challenges.
- Parental involvement: With online teaching, teachers will require all the help they need to track the progress of their students. Therefore, teachers can initiate activities that involve parents. Parental involvement will not only allow the teachers to use the parental expertise but also help parents bond with their children.
These tips are simple yet have a profound impact on online teaching. If teachers can take some more time and see what more than they can offer, they can bring a phenomenal difference in the learning experience and have a significant impact on their students.
