“When the going gets tough, the tough keeps teaching online!”
The onset of the global pandemic changed a lot of things. The world is just a click away now. It has become digitized. From payments to education, everything has become online. Online education has become a household term now and this is a shift that would have happened anyway but the pandemic just catalyzed the whole process.
There’s a paradigm shift that has occurred in the education landscape and it is for the best. It goes without saying that online teaching is significantly different from traditional, face to face teaching. There are certain things that need to be kept in mind when you teach online. Today, we will be throwing light upon five important things that you need to know when you teach online.
5 Things to Keep in Mind when You Teach Online
- Choose the right online teaching app
As mentioned, teaching online is significantly different from teaching in a classroom. You require a platform that has ample amount of features so that you don’t have to put in extra time and effort. Teachmint, for instance, has a host of features like live class recording, automated attendance, online whiteboard, fee management, MCQ tests, homework evaluation and more. You may need an online payments processer to take payments for your classes. You can find a lot of options over at Xpress-pay. This ensures that the teachers can focus on the important aspects of teaching. When you teach online, you have to be able to concentrate and choosing the right online teaching app will help you do that.
- Know Your Students
“Nous allons étudier”! Now, if you are French or if you know French, you would understand what this phrase stands for. It means “We are going to study.” but what about those who have no clue about the language? They wouldn’t understand what it means. You should understand your students comprehension level, what methods work, what are the kind of activities they like and what bores them. This is extremely important when you teach online because unlike a normal classroom setup, you can’t pick on non-verbal cues and gestures.
You have to ensure that what you are trying to say is not lost in translation. Understand that it is hard for them to raise their hand when they have a doubt or just ask their neighbor. Before you set forth to teach online, conduct a small session and get to know your students. This will help you in the long run and help you ace student engagement.
- Guide your students through the online teaching app
Your students might be tech-savvy but they are new to the online teaching app that you are using. Even if you are using simple and effective apps like Teachmint, your students might not know certain features and how the app works. Conduct an orientation class or just make sure that your students know how to use the app before you start the class.
- Use Audio- Visual Aids
Audio- visual aids will help to break the monotony in the classroom. There are different types of learners and these audio-visual aids will help teachers to cater to these learners. Breathe life to your teaching methods by choosing videos and colors. However, while using visual aids, it is important to ensure that all students have access to these.
- Record Your Classes
Recording the live classes has multiple benefits. Recording the classes will help teachers to understand and alter their teaching methods and it will also be helpful for the students who have missed the classes. In addition to this, recorded lectures are a boon during revisions and when students have doubts. Commitment to self is pivotal to be efficient and effective. You must be ready to work on yourself to create and curate the best experience for your students.
There is a common misconception that it is difficult to teach online. However, that is not the case. Teachers just have to be smart about the choices they make and be ready to work on themselves and extend a hand for their students. These five things will help you navigate through teaching online. The ultimate aim of teaching is to impart quality education and the all round development of the students.
Happy Teaching!
