“Teaching is not about preparing students for something. It is about helping students prepare themselves for anything.”
Good education is a necessity and everyone deserves access to quality education. The sudden onset of the pandemic and the lockdown took life to a standstill. It was the online alternatives that came to the rescue. Online education, thus became the way forward. Even if the pandemic hadn’t happened, online education would still have witnessed a huge fan following because of the ease and efficiency that it offers.
Teaching online is different than face to face teaching. However, the efficacy of online teaching is the same or maybe even more than that of face-to-face teaching. Online teaching is relatively new to some teachers and this blog will throw light on some of the important things that teachers should keep in mind while teaching online.
Five things to Keep In Mind when you Teach Online
As mentioned above, online teaching is significantly different from traditional teaching. While it is easy to pick nonverbal cues in a traditional setting, it is not that easy to understand what your students are thinking in an online classroom setup. In an online classroom, it is essential to ensure student engagement and to use various teaching methods and approaches. Without further ado, let’s look into the important things to be kept in mind while teaching online.
- Communicate
“The biggest problem in communication is that people don’t listen to understand, they hear to reply.” As discussed, it is difficult to pick up non-verbal cues in an online setup and communication is of utmost importance. As a teacher, you need to understand the hurdles that your students face, the concerns that they have, the pace at which they learn, and likewise. In order to understand all this, you need to talk to them. Communication works both ways. You should talk about your expectations and make your students understand that the classroom is a safe space where they can voice their interests and concerns.
- Include innovative teaching methods
Each kid is different and each of them learns differently. Some might be fast learners and some might be a little slow. The way they understand might be different. Some students learn when things are demonstrated and some learn better when they hear them. Figure out what the vast majority in your class likes and devise a good plan. To cater to minorities(i.e, the other types of learners), chart a different approach and try everything in the classroom. Make sure everyone feels heard and understood. This is extremely important while teaching online.
- Test the technology
It goes without saying that online teaching is heavily reliant on technology. You are dependent on either your phone or laptop, your internet, and the online teaching app that you are using. Make sure to test everything beforehand. Choose a reliable online teaching platform or virtual classroom so that you don’t face many issues. While a lpt of people consider this uncertainty as one of the disadvantages of online learning and teaching, what should be kept in mind is that there are an equal amount of things that can go wrong in a traditional setup as well. All that matters is how you see the problem and how you solve it. Being a little proactive can help you solve the problems, if any, with ease.
- Talk to the parents
Learning begins at home and a classroom community can never be complete without the involvement of parents. Talking to the pare3nts is pivotal especially when you are teaching online. Since parents are with their children all the time, they will be able to communicate the problems that their child is facing when it comes to learning. It is also important to keep them updated about the activities that are being carried out in the classroom and their child’s performance.
- Be flexible
Another important thing that teachers should keep in mind is to be adaptable. Resistance to change is never a good sign, especially for teachers. A willingness to learn is one of the best qualities for a teacher to possess. Stringent routines are not always necessary to make learning effective. Understand the pulse of your students and be ready to alter your methods and approach accordingly.
We have discussed some of the major things to be kept in mind while teaching online. Teaching online is not a cakewalk. There are things that need to be considered. The important thing is to choose the right app where you can do everything under one umbrella. Juggling multiple platforms can be a hassle. The next thing is to be truthful to your job, no matter what it is. These tips should help you conduct online classes efficiently. Stay tuned for more informative content.
