The Coronavirus pandemic has caused hundreds of pupils and teachers to think about how they’ll be learning over the coming months and weeks. Schools across the country were forced to go totally online without much or no warning, and as the disease persists to keep businesses and schools shut, teachers are striving to ensure that the school year is productive no matter how it goes.
A few schools across the nation are shifting to in-person education with online alternatives for students who aren’t able to attend in person. Some schools will have certain days of online learning while others will be online in the near future. Today more than ever, teachers are essential in helping students to continue learning and excel in the face of uncertainty.
Teachers face a daunting task to complete as they try to modify their lessons and curriculum to accommodate their new routine. The most important thing for anyone who works in the field is to discover secure ways to ensure that students continue getting the education they need and deserve.
Teachers want their students to feel comfortable and secure and still provide them with opportunities to learn and grow. As changes continue to occur and evolve and shift, students may be unsure about their education. Parents also feel strongly about the education of their children, and it’s crucial for teachers to be prepared to offer the best possible opportunities for their students.
Teachers are carrying a heavy responsibility, and their importance is unquestionably irreplaceable. Teachers today more than ever before are going further and higher, doing more for classrooms that are online altering strategies and plans, and ensuring that students succeed.
If you are a teacher and making preparations for a part or entirely online classroom in the coming year, you have many aspects to think about and prepare for. These five suggestions will assist you in preparing to enhance your online teaching method and ensure that your students enjoy success at school this semester.
1. Use a Variety of Tech Choices.
In the case of studying online, utilizing technology is essential to succeed. There are a variety of ways educators should be prepared to integrate technology in their classrooms, particularly if they’re primarily communicating with students online. WGU provides an online master’s degree program that will help teachers become familiar with technology and incorporate it into their classrooms in a more seamless manner.
Teachers should make plans to spend the first few days of the class teaching students about the technology and how to use it. Practice exercises are an excellent method for students to try using the system and ensure they know what they need to do, as well as asking questions and receiving assistance prior to projects starting. This time of learning, as well as practical exercises, will help students as well as those instructing them to prepare and iron out any issues with the system.
The best ways that teachers can utilize technology to create a fantastic environment for learning for pupils include:
Video conferencing. Many online teachers require sessions or classes for their students. There are numerous video conferencing services that allow teachers to interact and interact with students at a particular time throughout the day. Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Hangouts are the most popular choices for teachers to utilize.
These video conferencing solutions permit online teachers to establish certain times when their students are able to log in to watch lectures or attend class, providing teachers who teach online the opportunity to teach concepts in a manner that students can comprehend. Students can also use them to come together for collaborative projects or to connect with the teacher who teaches them in a one-on-one manner.
Videos. Teachers who don’t have the time to create a live video conference setup in their classroom might prefer to use previously recorded videos. Teachers can record films for their students using their webcams or video recorders. YouTube, Vimeo, and Microsoft Teams are free programs that teachers can use to upload videos for students to watch. Students can also view recorded lectures by teachers at their convenience.
Screen capture. The technology of screen capture allows people who teach to demonstrate what they’re working on their personal computers to assist students in understanding. This can be very helpful for teachers who teach students how to set up the project, show the concept, or clearly show students the steps to take. Screencast-O-Matic, Loom, and Camtasia are all well-known options for teachers looking to communicate their screen with their students.
Class management system for classroom management. Teachers who teach and connect with students electronically in online classes or classrooms are able to benefit by having an online control center to aid in their organization. The system lets teachers communicate with the students, set lesson times and discuss online classes and lessons or assignments, upload them to the system and ask students to submit their assignments. Google Classroom, Canvas, and Blackboard are among the most popular systems for classroom management that teachers can use.
They give teachers who teach the ability to arrange their classrooms in a planned manner and ensure that students are aware of what they must do and when. Students can also engage in discussions, communicate with their teacher, and much more, using this system.
Helping tools. Teachers who transition to online education require new technology to communicate with their students. This could be done by showing them the third-party video and using visual aids for making exciting projects, and much more. YouTube, PowerPoint, Prezi, and even learning games are all great ways to add an interactive and interactive aspect to your virtual classroom.
2. Connect to Students On a Personal Basis.
While teachers have to develop strategies to collaborate with all the students in their class, when they’re in an online classroom, it is vital to meet with students in a private manner. In traditional classroom settings, the teachers can monitor what their students are doing each day and can interact with them one-on-1 in case they have any questions, and talk to students in private when needed.
Online teaching can offer the same benefits for students. It could be as simple as having teachers be open during the day and have virtual tools for students to join and chat with or contact them with concerns or questions, or teachers can use video calls and follow up with students once or twice a week to ensure they’re doing fine. These meetings help teachers evaluate how students are performing academically in online courses and lessons, and also mentally and socially. Education is about students who have success in other areas of their lives, and teachers play an essential role in this. One-on-one meetings with students can assist teachers in evaluating how their students are performing.
3. Be Prepared to Work With Your Parents.
Since teachers are spending much or none of their hours with students inside the actual classroom, parents’ involvement is a major factor in the school’s success. Teachers are extremely important to inform parents of how they plan to go about the school year to go to make sure parents help that their children have the tools as well as the setup and abilities they’ll require to succeed.
Parents will also be required to answer questions and complete assignments for online classes and lessons therefore it is essential that teachers communicate regularly with parents about what their expectations for students are. More than ever before, parents play an essential role in their child’s education, as it happens at home, and with them near. Instead of teachers being able to respond to an inquiry or fix the issue parents will be required. Engaging with parents and talking to them often will help parents feel more confident while helping their child to navigate through school.
4. Think about New Learning Strategies.
There is a broad range of learning methods that students can choose from and a broad range of learning strategies that teachers can use in their classrooms to assist their students. Since teachers are transitioning towards online-based learning, it could be a good idea to review their plans for lessons and strategies and determine if they’re the best option for students. For instance, the majority of teachers choose to use a flipped class method.
This method of teaching involves students watching instructional videos and video lectures for homework after school and, during class time when they’re on the internet with their teacher, they discuss homework and work on assignments.
It allows them to view videos and gain knowledge during the afternoon, as they go through the day, they are asking questions to their teacher and consolidate their understanding. This is a fantastic alternative for learning via digital media because it provides students with the chance to interact with their teacher and ask questions during the majority of their school time.
A similar inquiry-based learning model in which teachers function as more of a facilitator for learning rather than a sole teacher can be a good option to use for classes online. This type of learning can lead to online students discovering what they would like to know more about, and teachers assist students. In an online environment, where students and multiple teachers do not share the same space the learning model could assist them in increasing their enthusiasm and motivation for learning.
5. Create Social Opportunities and Collaboration.
It’s not just about education Social skills are taught in the classroom, too. In the online classroom, teachers can continue to encourage social interaction and collaboration. Using Google Hangouts or Zoom, teachers can have online students collaborate and connect on group projects. The teacher may also organize smaller groups for students to interact and collaborate more freely in a more comfortable environment.
Every day, teachers might have students spend time discussing what they’ve been doing, or perhaps invite them to share funny or humorous stories. Chat channels allow students to talk about things in their online classes and provide an easy way to communicate when they’re far away. Teachers can provide “recess” or an opportunity for students to simply relax, visit and socialize.
Socialization of this kind is essential to creating a fun engaging classroom for students. Establishing these connections between the students’ peers as well as with the teacher is crucial to ensure an enjoyable experience.
If you’re a teacher and you’re wondering what your online classroom is going to appear like in the next school year, it’s crucial to begin preparing a plan to help your students flourish. In even the most challenging and unorthodox settings, students can experience an enjoyable learning experience in which they develop a passion for learning and build essential abilities.
Teachers are essential to making this happen and they are so vital and appreciated for the work they perform. Think about obtaining a master’s in education to enhance your resume, and also be more prepared for success in your career.
