A few solutions
Keep in mind there are several solutions for the challenges of online teaching(2):
- Focus on digital literacy and netiquette in the first lessons. Both you and your students need to be comfortable using a learning platform and, at least, the channel for synchronous learning. By the way, synchronous means “live”, it means that you and your students are “on camera” at the same time. What about netiquette? It means “etiquette on the internet”, the rules applied for acting and interacting in online learning. Some rules are very easy to explain with the help of available online tools (microphone on/off, “raise hand” option, using written answers in chat etc).
2. Less is more. In the online lesson, due to a smaller attention span combined with more time needed for the same contents, you need to communicate clearly and check students’ understanding. You don’t need to load the lesson with a lot of contents and methods. Focus on the essential.
3. Create an interactive design. Ideally, find solutions to engage learners every 3-5 minutes, either by interaction, a challenge given to them, or simply keeping their attention on the screen. There are a lot of methods to support you, not to mention that in the online environment you can let students be in charge even more, through project (or even better - problem)-based learning, flipped classroom and other similar methods.
4. “Multi-dimensional content and learning exercises”, as Miami University nicely explains it in an e-learning course about online teaching. Technology can be of great aid in creating suitable, attractive contents and using the proper methods. Students can use digital tools and apps, interact with each other, discover new ways of learning. Information is everywhere online, and they are in the right place.
5. Adapt, adapt, adapt. Paired and group activities can be transferred in breakout rooms. A brainstorming can be done using a specific app or even a Jamboard. A competition can be transformed into an online quiz.
Reflection question
If, when you teach in the classroom, you use a ball which participants pass to each other to answer, how could you do it in the online classroom?
We will discover more solutions as we dive into the contents.
Another personal development advice (take them if you need them)
Search and participate in good trainings yourself!
