09/04/2020
Dear Educator,
Within the last few weeks, you’ve probably researched on how you can still communicate with your students in spite of the pandemic. You might even be frightened at the thought of becoming an online teacher. Covid-19 has disrupted many traditional methodologies and in order to remain relevant, you have to evolve. Evolve to that better version of yourself you always believed you could be.
I'll give you a few relevant tools at the end of this post to get started on your journey. But beyond knowing the tools, it's important that you understand certain things about being an online teacher.
The tips below will give you a headstart:
1. Set Personal Goals and Regular Schedules: Define what success means to you for each class. Know that one thing you will see happen that will make you say "Yes, this online teaching stuff is making sense".
2. Be prepared: In other words, plan your lessons ahead of the class. Trust me, it's easier for your students to get bored online than in a physical class. So, you want to start the class prepared.
3. Choose a reliable platform: You don’t want some of your students following and the others just lost. So whatever platform you chose to employ, do a test run ahead of time.
4. Engage your students: Don't just talk all the way, ENGAGE THEM. Try to introduce yourself at every class and get your students to do the same.
5. Request for feedback from your students: You may think your class is going the way you planned but an online class is not just about what you think. The students have the larger population and their opinions matter. So, ask for their opinion on how classes went for the day, week, or month. Google form is one of the best tools to do this.
Now that you understand the above, here are a few tools you might need to get started.
1. Google Classroom
2. Zoom or GoToMeeting
3. Evernote or Sticky Note
4, Camtasia or Bandicam
5. Lots of data
We believe you found this write up useful. And if you need any assistance using the tools above, we’ll be hosting a free 40 minutes webinar every day of next week to support your transition to online teaching.
Leave us a comment if you're interested.