Have you found yourself unexpectedly teaching online? You are most certainly not alone. English teachers all over the world are in the same boat, and it can be difficult to know where to begin.
We’ll go over seven of the most significant features of online teaching in this guide. In no time, you’ll be organizing and presenting superb online English sessions! You can also get our Top Tips for Online English Teaching.
- Select your platform and instructional resources
Before you begin, you must choose a platform for delivering your online classes. Some teachers choose Google Classroom, a free online learning management system for schools. It promotes collaboration, creativity, file sharing, and grading – and, of course, it integrates with all other Google platforms, such as G Suite for Education, Google Docs, and Google Slides.
- Requirements for technology
You will need to administrate your course, prepare materials, broadcast your class, communicate with your students, and grade their work as a teacher. A laptop, desktop computer, or professional tablet is required for efficiency.
If your students wish to fully participate in your classes, they will also need a laptop or computer. When there are no other options, smartphones or tablets with an internet connection can be used.
- Online privacy and security
When giving any type of education online, you must prioritize safety and privacy. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) rule in Europe requires teachers (and their schools) to treat their student’s data with care, safety, and respect. GDPR may potentially affect instructors working outside of Europe if their pupils live outside of Europe.
The regulations are certainly worth reading because they provide practical recommendations for managing personal data. Our post What You Need to Know about Security When Teaching Learners Online includes some excellent safety recommendations.
- Training
Devote a chunk of your first class to assisting your students in becoming acquainted with the technology. Even if you spend half of the first session doing so, you will save time explaining things to different people. Many online teaching and conferencing platforms also include guidelines and video explainers to assist you in getting started.
You may even use these introductory movies as listening activities and whiteboard games to test out functionality.
- Resources and space
Set up a specific teaching place in your home or office if possible. Make sure you have all of the necessary visual aids and materials on hand. This will give you the impression that you are in a classroom and will allow you to be more spontaneous and creative throughout your teaching. This is especially crucial in young learner groups, when the pace of the session may need to be changed using flashcards, puppets, or even costumes!
Encourage your students to do the same and designate a study space. If your students are extremely young, enlist the assistance of their parents. This will help students get into the correct mindset for learning.
- The learning objectives
Students may struggle to acclimate to online learning, especially if they are participating in your class from home. Incorporate them into your courses by beginning all of your classes with learning objectives.
Use your chat box or interactive whiteboard to communicate your class agenda and explain what you anticipate from your students. This will allow pupils to concentrate and feel as though they are in a regular classroom. At the end of the session, you can reflect on what you’ve accomplished together and whether you met your goals.
- Establish a routine
Make an effort to establish a routine in the classroom. This helps your kids feel safe in the classroom and makes giving instructions faster and more efficient.
For example, you may begin with a warm-up exercise that includes all of the students (such as a game, a review, or a few student-centered discussion questions), then move on to your class objectives and review homework or project work. Also, blend study with energizing activities or mini-breaks, and encourage pupils to discuss their views.
- Instructions delivery
Online teaching allows you to give spoken and written directions to all of your pupils. You can also ask students to affirm their comprehension via chat boxes, and you can interact with individuals if they are unsure what to do. Unlike in a traditional classroom, every student can do this at the same time, allowing you to ensure that everyone is on track.
Depending on the platform you use, you may also be able to share your materials, papers, and presentation slides, as well as show and use additional activities such as online quizzes and games with the class, making it easier for them to follow along.
- Classroom administration
Online classes can be easier to manage than traditional courses. Students whispering in the back of the room, swapping notes, or running about are unlikely to interrupt you. However, if students have their microphones on while you’re speaking, you may be interrupted – and they can talk to each other via chat box and become sidetracked with unrelated internet stuff.
- Student participation
When teaching over a webcam connection, it is more difficult to interest your students. It pays to be a little larger than life on camera. Exaggerate your expressions and tone of voice slightly to keep them aware and interested in what you have to offer (but don’t go overboard).
You can also keep them guessing by having every single student in the class react to your questions by typing in the chat box. This will ensure that they pay attention.
