Online education seems here to stay, at least in some capacity, especially for higher education as schedules are busy and culture changes. And though there are large benefits to online education and distance learning, it can be a difficult transition for many teachers.
Here are some of the best tips and tricks that professors and faculty of online courses have shared over the past year.
1. Planning Your Classes Is Even More Integral Now
Often administration thinks that in-person classes take more planning than online ones, but this isn’t true. Typically, in a virtual classroom, class time is short, and students expect to learn as much as they can in that given period, and as activities may be quicker and less frequent – that time needs to be filled and utilized to the fullest.
This is an important reason why it’s essential to plan your lessons beforehand and in a detailed manner to make sure you are providing a high level of learning and value to students.
2. Master And Vary Your Technology
This is the second biggest tip, just barely behind planning: make sure you understand the technology you will be using. And this doesn’t just mean Zoom or the University’s platform, this means all of the media and technology you plan to use in class. From quizzes to breakout rooms, videos to interactive setups, or even games, this is paramount.
If you do not where begin, here are some things to familiarize yourself with:
- Identify common technical issues in the platform you will be using
- Discover platform tricks or shortcuts
- Know how to get tech support from your University
- Understand if there’s mobile access or only PC access
3. Set Up A Clean And Designated Work Area
Regardless of being in a virtual classroom, your environment still sets the stage for your course. Make sure you are setting a good example by having an academic virtual background or a tidy physical backdrop. Also, be consistent if your background is not virtual – or do not have the room change between your office and kitchen, living room, or outdoors.
If possible, your classroom area should be intended for work only – not a kitchen counter or couch. You want the space to be tidy, educational, and engaging while still looking productive.
4. Start Discussions And Communicate Regularly
Teaching online is different, but some principles are the same, like facilitating discussion and communicating with your students.
Discussion is how many students learn best, either by teaching their peers or asking questions of them, even having breakout groups where each section may discuss a different topic before coming together and sharing with the group in their own words and with their own understanding. It’s important to start these discussions so they can be comfortable and acquainted with you and the class, but then allow the group to speak more than you while you still guide the timelines and subjects.
Communication is needed in all classroom styles, virtual or in-person, in order to ensure that the students know what is needed, expected, and due. Additionally, a teacher (online or not) who answers emails in a timely manner will be seen as more helpful and friendly, which in turn aids in discussion and makes the students feel more comfortable.
Set Your Students Up for Success With Our Online Academic Coaches
When your students are not physically in front of you, you have to plan and prepare even more to make sure you are using your time well and helping your student in the most efficient and effective ways. And sometimes, that means getting help…
Luckily, our online academic coaches are highly qualified, experienced professionals in the appropriate academic discipline and have earned at least a Master’s degree from an accredited university. In fact, on average, our online academic coaches have 14 years of industry experience in their field!
Our coaches’ goals are fully customizable to your classroom and its needs. Because under the leadership and direction of your faculty, our online academic coaches can assist you with grading assignments, managing discussion threads, posting approved announcements, and managing day-to-day tasks and course issues in distance learning – such as timely and consistent communication.
We have been working in online education and distance learning since long before COVID-19, and the push for online learning began in 2020, which means we have our process and systems perfectly in place already.
