As the physical distance increases between you and your students, so can the psychological and emotional space.
In the traditional learning classroom today, faculty and students arrive with a certain set of expectations, shaped largely by past experiences. And although students may need the occasional reminder of what’s required of them, there’s usually something very familiar about the experience for both faculty and students alike.
In the online classroom, an entirely new set of variables enters the equation. In studies of online classrooms, it was found that students viewed teaching presence through the lens of all interaction they had with their teacher—from emails to announcements and assignments to much subtler, background signals, like the way the course itself was organized. The digital tools that tutors use become extensions of their teaching, in other words, blurring the lines between your physical and virtual personae.
As with the advent of technology, online education is also showing a great spike. Parents feel comfortable enrolling their children with online teachers. Even it’s a very easy way for uplifting your skills and shaping your talent as a student at your own pace.
But researchers have found that teachers are struggling to understand what good teaching looks like, as well as how they can measure the engagement of their students. Here we’ll be discussing some effective ways for online teaching.
The technology is new to everyone, so be prepared to troubleshoot and let your students know you are working on it. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the technology. Go for some training sessions are organized for teachers.
Be very clear to students about where they should go for technical support. Make the contact information readily available, and be prepared to direct students there if they come to you.
Send a message to all students, to welcome them to online learning and reassure them
Use video chat instead of basic instant messages when interacting with students
Try to be understanding and flexible
To make the students talk by beginning discussions in the discussion board, and then contributing rapid, regular, and open responses to questions
Use non-verbal communication such as emojis
Check-in with your students to see how things are going on a regular basis
You can do formal or informal surveys to assess attitudes, workload, and challenges.
Make course corrections as necessary
Use ad hoc quizzes to assess learner comprehension of the material
Follow the established course start and end dates
Follow consistent guidelines for managing your online course
Monitor assignment submissions and communication with students to remind them of missed and/or upcoming deadlines
Provide an assortment of relevant and easily accessible resources such as digital publications, news sites, and online videos
Provide some thesis and notes to students from your peer instructors
Students can prefer any material at their convenience
Spend 1-On-1 time with each student
Develop an Interest in their Interests
Share stories related to your journey to grow their interest
Have some sense of humor
Incorporating these principles into your online teaching methods will not only ensure a supportive community for your students but will make your job ultimately easier too. As online education is in its developing phase many more technologies are yet to come, as a teacher you should be up to date every time for the maximum utilization of the resources present at the moment. You should inculcate the feeling of adaptation and learning as well, for making your students comfortable. These above-mentioned points will obviously help you make your career as an online teacher better.