An online class is different from the offline teaching set up. While it is an accepted fact and having said so, the other side of the coin is that many common aspects exist between the two. To make the online learning process a success, administrators, and teachers need to understand the sets of differences existing between the two.
A lot of challenges came to the surface when teachers, administrators, and students started to attend online classes. Prime among the challenges was – one-way interaction by teachers, low collaboration, the difference in instructional methods, lack of motivation in students, and technical glitches. All of these challenges can be solved given that administrators and teachers start making use of new instructional strategies and tap the power of education technology.
In a face-to-face teaching environment, a teacher can create a bonding with the students; in the online space too, this can be created. The solution is to maximize the levels of interaction and initiate collaboration activities that kindle eagerness to learn among the students.
Methods to foster Interest of students
Allow students participation in the class
It is vital to keep the classroom lectures brief and interactive. Where in passive lectures students can easily get distracted, in an active classroom environment it is easier to hold their attention throughout. The idea is to make learning sticky for the students. Hands-on learning should also be encouraged to make it more appealing.
Provide timely feedback to the students
Much of what a teacher covers in the class needs to be retained by the students. To ensure this, teachers can conduct weekly tests or Q & A sessions post completion of lessons. This way, all the doubts of the students get cleared and students also get a chance to express their perspective with their peers. A teacher can devote some additional time for Q & A sessions and provide timely feedback to the students in general or individually.
Play videos or other interactive elements in between lectures
Passive lecture sessions for a long period are dull and boring. To tackle it, the suggestive measure is to include interactive elements in between the lecture, say- playing immersive or educational gaming videos related to the lesson being taught in the class or showing infographics to explain the core points of the lesson. Videos and images have a higher gratification value.
Shake things up for the students because remember, not everyone has the same ability to absorb information in a uniform way.
Being empathetic with students
It is a tough time for all, be it a school administrator, a teacher, or a student. As decision-makers and educators, it is important to be empathetic with students. Regular communication with them apart from just answering their queries can build a rapport and remain connected even when they are not meeting with each other face to face. It helps build emotional intelligence, resilience, and trust in each other.
Before starting the class directly in the morning, setting the mood is also beneficial. A soft warm-up exercise such as journaling, checking mood levels with the help of online mood meter tools or just throwing a fun question can help foster the interest levels of the students.
Ways to Enhance Teaching Online
Adopt different instructional strategies
The new normal of virtual class set-up is sure to stay for long. Even if schools, colleges, universities, and institutes open in the coming days, physical interaction will continue to be limited. Taking this in mind, teachers too have to continuously improve their teaching craft by picking up skills that meet the demand. One such is experimenting with teaching methods that make learning sticky in a virtual class setup. Some of these strategies comprise- Visualization, Cooperative learning, Inquiry-based Instruction, Use of different educational technologies. Any receptiveness to adopt new ways of teaching can be damaging in nature both for themselves and for the students learning at large.
Use technology wherever needed
Other than teaching, all teachers need to perform various kinds of additional tasks such as creating class timetables, assignments, and their distribution, creating questions for tests, grading them, and also publishing them. It often results in stress. The purpose of using education technology is to simplify the job of the teachers and help them work efficiently. It is possible when teachers show their keenness to know which technology to use for a particular work or learn to use them at different stages of pedagogy.
Access classroom technology-free tutorials
Searching free tutorials online and referring them to clear doubts, help teachers start using classroom technology like a pro. Learning to use technology efficiently can help anyone work faster and concentrate on core activities. In the present time, a teacher is nowhere different from any other working professional who makes use of technology from morning to evening to perform various official tasks
Time is Now. Cut down the fears to use technology to harness its overall benefits. Proactive use of online class applications will help administrators and teachers in making online teaching systematic, easier, interactive, and time as well as cost-effective. So are you ready to work on the challenges faced in teaching in online classes? If your answer is a ‘Yes’ download and log in to eduTinker- the secure, super user-friendly, and easy online class application today and manage classes right from your mobile.
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