FAQ 3 Preparation-2

Q3) What special preparation should you makebefore an online class?

A) See our page on 10 Tips (bit.ly/32EOyjN) and FAQs 1 (bit.ly/3gHrsxT) and 2 (bit.ly/2YLeqsY ) for some tips. Here are a few more.

The most important aspect of getting ready to teach online is to get used to your software – LMS, conference call software, your computer/OS etc.

1. Before you start a synchronous (live) class

a. Test your software. Know where all the buttons for activities such as screen sharing, muting audience, making someone a co-host etc., are. This will help you to be in very good control of the virtual class and reduce anxiety.

b. Clear your background of unnecessary visuals and sounds. Find a quite place to teach from.

c. Decide which view you will use – speaker or panel. Plan to the last detail of the software.

d. Have a list of breaks and activities you want during the class. Decide beforehand how long you want each of the breaks and activities to last. This will not only save precious time and bandwidth but also give an air of confidence to you.

e. Open all the tabs/software you want to use for the class so that you don’t spend time looking for them.

2. Some of us are used to giving the students time to settle in the class before enter. However, in a virtual class, since you are the person in-charge of the class, be present before time. This will compel the students also to login on time.

3. Spell out the dos and don’t of the class explicitly. For example – that they must keep their mics muted but can interrupt you to ask a question by unmuting etc.

4. Use a laptop/computer to teach. These are much better for sharing other content. If you don’t have a device with a touch screen, try and get an interactive pen tablet that can be attached to your computer through USB. Good ones cost about Rs 8000/-. Having a stylus-based device makes online teaching nearly similar to blackboard teaching. Most conference call software have a whiteboard facility and you can use that. If your LMS/conference call software does not have a whiteboard, there are many stand-alone white board apps for laptops that can be downloaded and screen shared.

(Do you have more tips? Write to us at dfot2020@gmail.com. We will share them on this site).