Welcome To Your New Classroom: Tips For Teaching In The Virtual Classroom.
Teaching virtual classes can be hard, and it is not the same as what we experience in our normal classrooms. We would all love to be back in the regular classroom environment with our students, but that may not happen this year. So these are some virtual classroom learning tips, tricks, and ideas that I have learned over the last 8 years as an online teacher to make it easier for you and your students. These tips will help you with any video conference platform you use.
Virtual classrom Management Tips – Classroom management is the essence of a successful class and can be very challenging when you are not in the classroom so here are some strategies to help.
Set a password and security settings (and tell families NOT to share it with others or post it on social media)
Remind families and tell them what their child needs to bring with them (ex: notebook and markers, play dough, project, stuffed animal, project, or something related to your book/learning theme). Send a text message via an app such as WhatsApp to families the day before the class to remind them just in case they forgot. By doing this, the class will run smoother, and be more productive as the classroom time is used entirely for teaching rather than having students wasting time as they search for materials during the opening minutes of the class.
Make it interactive- Interactivity is the key, the foundation to a successful class, especially with regards to classes with children. When studying in their home, the attention of the children can easily shift from your class to those things which are happening in their home if your class is not interactive, or it is boring. Classes must be student-focused, they must engage the students in every way if you are to reach the same level of success that you achieve in the regular physical classroom. Do reading aloud, fingerplays, sing songs, sitting movement games, syllable games, rhyming games, name games/songs, write together (they write in their journal/paper while you write), painting/drawing, the message of the day, simple directed drawings, fine motor journal activities, dance party, freeze dance, playdough challenges (have kids bring playdough and make things with playdough together), "What’s missing" game, mystery bag games (hide something and give clues with letters, numbers, objects), virtual show and tell, or virtual show and share (share a project, drawing, or something they created or did).
The success of the class, and ultimately the level of education that the students receive is in your hands, and even though you are teaching under quarantine conditions, this is not an excuse for failure.
Make it short- You know your students and their attention span best so plan your classes to have a length that is appropriate for your students. Set realistic goals and expectations and stick to them. Traditionally, students who study online can achieve about 70% to 80% of what they can achieve in a regular classroom, and this needs to be taken into consideration when planning your classes. This doesn't mean that you provide a lower level of education, on contrary, you supply the same, just through less, yet more focused activities.
Shy students- You may have students who do not want to be on camera, and that is ok. They can turn their camera off or just sit to the side that way they can see and hear you but not be on video. They may sneak in view once they are comfortable. You may need to chat with the family so they know not to force them on video and explain that there is an option to turn off their camera. Just make sure to use the camera for a short period of time to verify that the students are in constant attendance and participating in your class rather than playing video games or chatting with their friends.
Make it interactive- Interactivity is the key, the foundation to a successful class, especially with regards to classes with children. When studying in their home, the attention of the children can easily shift from your class to those things which are happening in their home if your class is not interactive, or it is boring. Classes must be student-focused, they must engage the students in every way if you are to reach the same level of success that you achieve in the regular physical classroom. Do reading aloud, fingerplays, sing songs, sitting movement games, syllable games, rhyming games, name games/songs, write together (they write in their journal/paper while you write), painting/drawing, the message of the day, simple directed drawings, fine motor journal activities, dance party, freeze dance, playdough challenges (have kids bring playdough and make things with playdough together), "What’s missing" game, mystery bag games (hide something and give clues with letters, numbers, objects), virtual show and tell, or virtual show and share (share a project, drawing, or something they created or did).
The success of the class, and ultimately the level of education that the students receive is in your hands, and even though you are teaching under quarantine conditions, this is not an excuse for failure.
Make it short- You know your students and their attention span best so plan your classes to have a length that is appropriate for your students. Set realistic goals and expectations and stick to them. Traditionally, students who study online can achieve about 70% to 80% of what they can achieve in a regular classroom, and this needs to be taken into consideration when planning your classes. This doesn't mean that you provide a lower level of education, on contrary, you supply the same, just through less, yet more focused activities.
Shy students- You may have students who do not want to be on camera, and that is ok. They can turn their camera off or just sit to the side that way they can see and hear you but not be on video. They may sneak in view once they are comfortable. You may need to chat with the family so they know not to force them on video and explain that there is an option to turn off their camera. Just make sure to use the camera for a short period of time to verify that the students are in constant attendance and participating in your class rather than playing video games or chatting with their friends.
English Grammar and 11 Guidlines for Making it More Understandable.
https://englishforyoutheteachersvoice.blogspot.com/2020/07/understanding-grammar-11-key-rules-for.html
Making the Rules of Grammar Easy to Understand
https://englishforyoutheteachersvoice.blogspot.com/2020/07/the-essential-rules-of-english-grammar.html
Have the same schedule every week.- This is important! Once you find a day(s) and time that works for you and your families, making it the same each week. Most families are now working from home, have huge amounts of anxiety, going through financial challenges, and now teaching their kids each with their own Zoom meetings. Families are beyond overwhelmed right now; we all are. Make it the same each week so they can put it on the calendar making it easier to remember. Tell families to set a weekly alarm on their phone to remind them of the meeting.
Use students' names- It may sound silly, but make it a point to say each student’s name as many times as you can. It is important that the students feel that even though they are in a virtual classroom, that they still have that familiar bond that they are accustomed to with their teacher. Every class, say hello and goodbye to each student, congratulate them, call them by name to answer questions etc. It’s a simple way to show that you care about each of them.
Use visuals to stimulate the learning process. Classes should use visual learning aids as the foundation of the class. PowerPoints, Presi, videos, etc add attractiveness to their computer screen and help to attract and maintain the students' attention.
Predictable schedule with visuals- Just as you do in your real classroom, construct a predictable routine for your students during virtual classes. Schedules reduce stress and increase productivity.
Well, I hope that you enjoyed reading this article and that you find these tips helpful in your virtual classesUse students' names- It may sound silly, but make it a point to say each student’s name as many times as you can. It is important that the students feel that even though they are in a virtual classroom, that they still have that familiar bond that they are accustomed to with their teacher. Every class, say hello and goodbye to each student, congratulate them, call them by name to answer questions etc. It’s a simple way to show that you care about each of them.
Use visuals to stimulate the learning process. Classes should use visual learning aids as the foundation of the class. PowerPoints, Presi, videos, etc add attractiveness to their computer screen and help to attract and maintain the students' attention.
Predictable schedule with visuals- Just as you do in your real classroom, construct a predictable routine for your students during virtual classes. Schedules reduce stress and increase productivity.
Good luck and good teaching.
David White
Managing Director English For You Language Institute Trujillo Peru
Managing Director English For You Language Institute Trujillo Peru
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