After this module, learners will be able to
1. Engage their students on virtual calls.
2. Feel confident in leading online group discussions and lectures.
3. Deal with common technical difficulties.
4. Teach students basic online learning etiquette.
5. Provide alternative sources of learning for students who cannot access online learning.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of education and learning throughout the world. Many educational settings have moved online and into the technological sphere. Even as some schools start to go back to in-person learning, online learning will always be a great fallback tool, for public safety, absent students, and more. Learning how to engage students, especially younger ones, on an online platform can be hard, but comes through practice.
Ex 1: "I see that some of you are not looking at your screens. We are going to be having a quiz at the end of class, and the prize is 2 points of extra credit for all students who get 3/3 questions right. Pay attention!"
A common problem with online school is technical difficulties and lack of access. Many students may not have access to a device that they can attend virtual classes with, and of those that do, their internet connection or technology knowledge may be poor. Dealing with technical difficulties can be difficult but you must deal with them with patience and clear instructions. If instructions cannot be made out by the student when you are speaking, type them into the chat box.
Ex 2: Connect to class online using the link I have provided you all. Today's topic of discussion is the poetry of Walt Whitman. Here are the User ID and Meeting Password if anyone needs it to join: (User Id:…….) (Password:……)
In cases where students simply cannot join the call for any reason, it's important to still them the opportunity to learn. Writing detailed handouts for each class and sharing them by email or virtual classroom can help spread content to students who cannot attend classes live.
Practice: Find a partner. Take turns repeating exercises 1 and 2 out loud by substituting different information in for the underlined parts.
Act out this situation with a partner.
A teacher (a) is leading an online class for their students (b).
a) Good morning students, we'll begin class at 10’o clock.
b) Ok.
a) Let's get started. Hello class! Am I audible to everyone?
b) Ma'am, your sound is cutting off.
a) Does it sound choppy to anyone else?
a) Akash, you might be having a network issue since the other students can hear me properly. Try moving closer to your internet router or leaving and rejoining the call. Alright, is my screen visible to everyone?
b) Yes, ma'am.
a) Let's wait for a couple more minutes until everyone joins.
a) Everyone, please remember to be on time for class out of respect for your fellow students. Ok, first we will read this poem. Let's have Kriti read it. Everyone else, please mute yourselves to reduce background noise. And please turn your cameras on so I can see you!
b) "Oh me! Oh life! of the questions of these recurring-"
a) Good. To the other students, unmute yourself if you have questions. Continue, Kriti.
b) "Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill'd with the foolish..."
a) Thank you, Kriti. This poem is important and will show up on your exam. You will write a short essay about your interpretation of it. I'll share my screen with you now so you can see what content you can expect on your test.
b) *noises*
a) Whoever isn't on mute, please mute yourselves. The background noise is disturbing others. Also, turn on your camera, Rahul. I want to check whether you are paying attention or not. Students, is this clear to you?
b) Ma'am, could you please repeat that one more time? I couldn't hear you.
a) Sure, and don't worry if you can't hear everything I say. I’ll send you all notes after class. Write practice essays in your notebooks and send pictures of them to me so I can give you feedback.
b) When is it due?
a) By the end of the day today. Rahul, can you explain this concept to me?
b) Yeah, this is what I think.
a) Well done! Glad you're following along. Sana, how about you? Can you explain this phrase to me?
b) I think it means this.
a) Unfortunately not. Do you want to give it another shot?
b) I don't think I know.
a) That's ok. Make sure to review after class.
a) Ok guys, that's the end of class today. I have to go to my next class now. I will see you all again tomorrow at the same time. Goodbye!
b) Goodbye!
What are some ways that the teacher set up the beginning of class?
How did the teacher solve technical difficulties that Akash was facing?
Did the teacher effectively involve students in class? Why is it important that students are continuously involved and paying attention?
When is it important to ask questions to students? How did the teacher open up the floor to questions?
How did the teacher tell Rahul he was correct and Sana she was wrong?
What's the appropriate response to someone who is not muting themselves on the call?
A. Mute them yourselves.
B. Call them out and tell them to mute themselves.
C. Yell at them.
Correct answer: B. Speak normally and calmly to students. If you are the meeting host, and the student repeatedly ignores your instructions or are unable to mute themselves, you can mute them yourselves, so A is also an appropriate response. C is inappropriate in all situations, so keep your head about you and think of alternative solutions!
What information should you include in the class notes that you send students after online class?
A. Every single word you said during class.
B. Main topics covered in class.
C. The chapters of the textbook students should read.
D. Any homework or assignments you have told the students they must do.
Correct answers: B, C, and D. While you don't need to recount what you said word by word during class, you should give students as much information to succeed and do the work they need to as possible. This includes the main topics you talked about, and an external reference that students can use to get more information or do examples.
After this module, learners should feel more comfortable facilitating and leading online classrooms, with a focus on helping students learn material. Learners should feel like they can handle common technical difficulties and bad behavior in meetings. Giving instructions online and following up with relevant resources after class are also skills that the learner should develop after going through this module.