Things altered dramatically when Covid-19 entered our lives. After our health, our daily routine was the first aspect to be impacted. We were no longer living in the same manner as before. Even while things are improving, the effects brought about by this novel virus are still being experienced. Consider the educational system. Schools and universities have switched from a physical to an online teaching method. The majority of them are not willing to head back. Online learning has become the new standard. However, this is a tough challenge for teachers. There is a huge contrast between controlling a class of thirty students on campus versus controlling a class of thirty students online.
Many students are inattentive while attending a lesson from the comfort of their homes. As a result, instructors become infuriated. But there’s no need to worry anymore. We’ve put up a list of five tips to help you improve your online teaching presence.
Thorough Planning with Backups:
Uncertainty is a part of life. Although you never know what will happen next, it is essential to plan ahead for all possible scenarios. Everyone struggled to get out of their comfort zones due to the sudden shift in routine. There is no longer any interaction, and the sense of presence has almost vanished thanks to the pandemic. Consequently, managing to foster community in an online classroom is a significant concern for all educators. To achieve it, they must carefully plan their class schedule to establish a regular school routine so students do not notice the profound transformation. Teachers must also be prepared for backups to maintain the classroom’s flow. For example, if a student misses an online session, a recorded lecture should be provided to keep them on track and make them feel involved.
Frequent Student Feedback:
Compared to an on-campus course, maintaining concentration during an online lecture is far more demanding. It’s pointless to hold an online class if the students don’t grasp what’s going on. Things may appear fine to you as a teacher, but they may appear tough to the students. It’s critical to have frequent feedback from students about how the session is going, whether they’re comprehending the content or having trouble managing the technology. This will benefit you in two ways:
- Students will feel valued and be more focused.
- It will be simpler for you to bond with your students.
As a competent teacher, you will value both of these factors and ensure that students are learning effectively.
Fun Activities or Challenges:
Fun activities aren’t a new way to make education more engaging in the classroom. However, implementing this into an online session needs some considerable attention. You must search for games that will capture students’ interest, refresh them, and teach them something useful. Since it’s an online session, look for relatable online games that provide students with enjoyment and information. Conduct group activities and encourage kids to compete healthily. Allow children to compete against one another in different competitions; this will excite them and make them want to study more about the subject.
Promote Self-Learning:
Without self-learning, no matter where you are in life, you will never be able to attain your ambitions. There will be professors and mentors available, but unless you put forth the effort, you will receive nothing. It’s not enough to give your students a recorded lecture and a PowerPoint slide to study for the exam. You must enlighten them about the term ‘self-learning’ to make learning productive for their future. Allow them to explore the internet and research things on their own. Request that they acquire whatever facts they can and describe it in their own words. Your task will be to correct them afterward if they are inaccurate. This will help children develop research skills and demonstrate their interest in the course.
Creating the environment:
A physical classroom provides students with a conducive learning environment. A large black or whiteboard at the front, well-organized desks and chairs, and soft boards everywhere for posting important announcements or artwork — none of this is available in an online classroom that students are attending from home. As a result, their retention suffers significantly. However, you can make online sessions more productive with a little extra effort. Begin by establishing a rule for turning on the camera. While conducting the lesson, this will compel participants to sit up straight, dress nicely and clean their study area, so all necessary items are within easy reach. A person’s learning ability is influenced by their environment, so help them understand the importance of keeping it pristine.
Conclusion
Conducting an online session is undoubtedly difficult, especially when you must maintain the highest level of learning efficiency. Teachers are under more stress than ever before. They have to worry about maintaining student participation, completing the course on time, and random internet issues. All educators are expected to go above and beyond their call of duty. However, it’s important to consider what type of additional effort will be required to overcome the obstacles associated with online learning. This can only happen once you’ve figured out where the students’ shortfall is. The above-mentioned points will certainly support you in improving your online presence.
