{"id":1018,"date":"2020-06-25T05:58:01","date_gmt":"2020-06-25T05:58:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unremot.com\/blog\/?p=1018"},"modified":"2020-07-01T06:24:29","modified_gmt":"2020-07-01T06:24:29","slug":"how-to-be-a-better-online-teacher-best-practices-for-teaching-online","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unremot.com\/blog\/how-to-be-a-better-online-teacher-best-practices-for-teaching-online\/","title":{"rendered":"How to be a better online teacher | Best practices for teaching online"},"content":{"rendered":"

It might seem to be challenging to grab the student\u2019s attention and ensure their enthusiasm in online classes. Most of us, as students and teachers, are used to attend the regular on-campus face-to-face sessions. Even the general saying states \u2018kids are fast learners, more creative and fast adapters than adults\u2019, where kids themselves find it difficult to cope up with the online classes, well the teachers aren\u2019t an exception here. It obviously would be difficult for teaching online. But as a teacher, it is your responsibility to educate the students effectively. In this blog, let us discuss the online education best practices and the ideas for teaching online classes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Classroom management 101 | Techniques for regular & online classes<\/a><\/p>\n

Teaching online<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Teaching online refers to education that takes place on the internet. It typically refers to teaching that is delivered entirely online where no physical or on-campus class sessions are involved.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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How to teach online classes?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

To teach online, as a teacher, you should plan for your classes, prepare the technology setup and communicate the students about the topic to be discussed, timings and software in place for the session. Motivate the students, stimulate timely discussions with the students and communicate regularly. Asking for feedback and working on them should be an ongoing process.<\/span><\/p>\n

21 Best Online Teaching Tools | For Better Virtual Teaching<\/a><\/p>\n

Best practices in online teaching<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Many of us have quickly moved to online classes. The digital classroom is an unknown and unexplored segment by many of us. To be an effective online teacher, it is your responsibility as a teacher to ensure a few best-practice methods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Learn the technology<\/h3>\n

Well, this is going to be something new for you, new for everyone. As an example to the students, you should learn some basics of the working of the software. It is essential to familiarize technology and be prepared to troubleshoot. Take out some time before the session to familiarize yourself with the technology. Some schools and companies are offering training for online classes to equip them. It is also the responsibility of the teachers in clearly specifying it to the students about when to seek technical support and to make the contact information readily available.<\/span><\/p>\n

10 Best LMS Software | Top Free & paid LMS Software in 2020<\/a><\/p>\n

2. Expect the unexpected<\/h3>\n

Technological glitch is common, unexpected and inevitable. At some point, this technical error occurs while connecting to a video chat or links of assignment resources link not working properly. Anything that causes trouble to connect a video call, error during the conduct of video call, error in the functioning software can be said as a technological glitch or technical error.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is better to have a backup plan for assessments and assignments that rely on technology. It is necessary to be transparent to students about technology error. Formulate a policy that outlines the actions students should undertake if they are unable to submit the assignments due to technical issues. Even it is essential to anticipate technical errors during the conduct of video calls and prepare the necessary backup plans.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. The expectations<\/h3>\n

Online classrooms are often felt as a free-form; it is your responsibility as a teacher to provide students with a clear set of expectations before they commence to study or prepare assignments. The expectations should clearly specify what they can expect from you as a teacher and what you are expecting from your students. For example, the expectations can outline communication frequency, guidelines of attendance in online classes, how much online participation of the students is required, the conduct they will be expected throughout the course, due dates for assessments, mode of assessment submitting, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How to improve student motivation? | Effective strategies<\/a><\/p>\n

4. Create a strong presence<\/h3>\n

Creating a strong presence makes the students curious to attend online classes. Send a message to all the students, a video message if possible to welcome them to attend the classes. It is advisable to use video chat to interact with the students rather than using basic instant message features. During non-verbal chats, don\u2019t be too formal. Be a bit casual and also use emojis as it coveys your mood and tone of the text to the students. Rather a single side oration from you, keep it as an interactive session and get the students talking by beginning discussions in the discussion board. Also, it contributes to rapid, regular and open responses to the student\u2019s questions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Stay flexible<\/h3>\n

Even in general, teachers should always be flexible with their students. During online classes, it is highly recommended for online teachers to remain flexible. As the teachers and students are new to this online platform, it is obvious that both are prone to errors and mistakes. In this case, as a teacher, be ready to adjust the deadlines and the grading policies. The students might find it difficult to maintain the pace with online classes, preparing assignments and submitting online, appearing in the assessments, etc. Hence, staying flexible is essential for an online teacher.<\/span><\/p>\n

Best virtual classroom software in 2020 | Set up your Virtual classroom<\/a><\/p>\n

6. Feedbacks<\/h3>\n

After a few classes, check-in with your students to see how things are going. Ask the students for honest and direct feedback. Ensure that the feedback covers everything, for example, if they are facing any issues with teaching methods, content, software\/technology-related problems, to see if anything requires improvement, etc. Formal and informal surveys are the best way to assess workload, attitude and challenges. It is necessary to make course corrections as we all are learning. Also, the best way to overcome this formally is to post something on the discussion board and see what pops up.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Develop personal relationships with each student<\/h3>\n

In a class of a specific number of students, every student has their own issues. It is good that many communicate about the difficulties they face because of online courses. But some feel hesitant taking it to the teacher. As an online teacher, after the session, try to talk to them in individual. Try to develop a personal relationship with each student. This personal relationship would break the hesitations of the students. They might feel comfortable sharing the difficulties they face during an online class. Developing a personal relationship is just a matter of time for the teacher, but this helps in building a rapport with the students and help them to resolve their issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Teaching strategies | Best strategies for regular & virtual classrooms<\/a><\/p>\n

8. Finally, make them feel comfortable<\/h3>\n

Finally, it all depends upon your tone to make students feel comfortable. Students\u2019 mood and comfort totally depend upon the tone you set in the class. Demonstrating excitement and enthusiasm about the teaching course alleviate anxiety and fear of the students. Post some welcome videos, photos that tell the students what you are pursuing to keep yourself busy, engaged and how you make an effort to design your life as you wish. Empower the participants to question each other and incorporate instant chats and web cameras to make it live, real-time interaction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Online teaching tip:<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0Have this habit of responding to students privately via phone, video and email. Students would feel more engaged with the course with timely feedback they receive.\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Ideas for teaching online classes in an interactive way<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n