How did it all begin?
Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic, a lot of things have changed and that too for the long-term. Work from home is the new normal and even schools have started conducting classes online via zoom meetings. Traditionally speaking, a lot of things had an SOP, standard operating procedure, which set the base for operations or curriculum that needs to be executed to get the work done.
Presently, no SOPs have been framed for online classes or digital education in India. Many schools have improvised their way of teaching online. Google Meet and Zoom are two of the most popular mediums of conducting online classes. While it’s been figured out to take classes via zoom, it’s still essential that standard procedure is established to reduce any chaos or clutter in this new model of education.
Current challenges faced in online classes:
Although the transition from traditional to online education has been smooth yet certain problems are faced by both the teachers and the students alike, such as:
- Longer hours of screen time.
- constant distraction
- vulnerability to anxiety and laziness
- lack of physical activity/movement
These are a few of the issues that are faced and if SOPs are not implemented then the current model of education will not affect the physical health of the students but also the mental health.
Setting up the SOPs:
Although online classes seem like a possible way forward for the future of education, it still has a long way to go and requires a set of SOPs to make the most of it. Here are some suggestions that can make things easier for both teachers and students.
Establish rules:
When it comes to communicating through online mode, it’s a little different from face-to-face. Teachers must incorporate some of the below mentioned basic online etiquettes to make the transition easier:
- mute/unmute,
- use of chatbox
- raising your hand to raise or make a point,
- using backgrounds.
- Recording the session for future reference
Access to content and lessons:
Providing access to content means making content or a lesson comprehensible to everyone including those who are not familiar with certain languages. For eg: Some students might find it difficult in comprehending instructions in English. Accessibility also includes sharing of documents to the students, however, there may be some students who may not be familiar with using the digital tools, the chances are rare but it’s still possible. Ensuring that the students are taught the know-hows of accessing the content should be encouraged.
Establish a connection with the students:
When we say connection, we mean the relationship between a teacher and a student. With technology, face-to-face communication may be distanced but it can still be bridged with online communication. Here are some simple methods that can break the ice between a student and a teacher.
- Make a short personal video for each student.
- Appreciate students when they do something right. It can also include unmuting the other students and giving them a round of applause.
- Starting live sessions and asking students to showcase their talent.
- Begin a session with some music to lighten the mood.
- Set up breakout rooms where students can work in teams.
- Encourage students to ask questions in the chats so that everyone can be involved.
- Utilize emojis while interacting with students.
- Humour goes a long way. Add funny content to connect with the students.
Include a few offline or physical activities:
Too much screen time may do more harm than good. Teachers need to ensure that the students are getting adequate amounts of physical exercises and activities that will keep their neuro-motor systems sharp. Teacher incorporate:
- A session for warm up exercise
- Get to the students to dance in their rooms.
- Assign art/craft activities
Render Emotional Guidance:
Due to the pandemic and as students are locked up in their homes some students tend to feel a sense of isolation. This isolation might hamper mental health and lead to poor performance in academics. Teachers can:
- Conduct an individual session for those who seek guidance
- Organize webinars with child psychologists and counselors
- Make students feel appreciated and involved
Session with the experts:
Subject experts can make the class even more interesting. Now, that the classes are held at the comforts of our homes, teachers can organize sessions with subject matter experts with ease.
Talk about digital literacy:
Teaching online also means to ensure that the students are engaging while maintaining classroom decorum and act responsibly online. While many are already aware of digital literacy, a few refresher sessions can instill some mannerism among students which can help them carry out an online activity without hiccups.
Conclusion
The ones mentioned above are some of the basic yet effective methods of making online classes as interactive and effective as traditional ones. However, it still has a long way to go and with continued efforts, both teachers and students can benefit from it.
