Online Educator
Tips for Becoming a Better Online Educator
The concept of online classrooms is comparatively new and unexplored for teachers and students. In addition to the logistical changes, the methodology also undergoes a drastic change when it comes to virtual education. In keeping with the changing times, educators need to familiarize themselves with this new medium of education but as it turns out, things can be slightly different when it comes to teaching students virtually. You may need to alter your teaching pace, clear doubts over virtualsessions, use audio-visual teaching aids and so on.Here are a few tips on how you can refine your teaching methods and keep students engaged.
Aim for 15 to 20 minutes of airtime
Ask any student, and they'll tell you that the usual hour-long school lectures can be boring. However, they are used to this duration in a physical setup, given that the instructor is physically present. When you are taking classes online, the attention span of students reduces. Therefore, keep your lectures limited to 15 to 20 minutes.
The benefit of this strategy is two-fold: firstly, a short live streaming session will experience lower downtime and lags, and secondly, students won't be distracted. If you cannot finish a relatively longer chapter in one 15-minute session, break it into two whole sessions.
Make sure you are visible
Recent research concludes that virtual classes where the instructor is visible on camera at all times are far more effective than narrated slide shows. Even when you are making a presentation or sharing your screen, keep your camera on.
In a physical setup, the instructor can make eye contact with the student, which is impossible in a virtual classroom through a webcam. However, if your class strength is small, you can instruct your students to keep their cameras on for greater attentiveness.
Summarize towards the end
Lead by example! If you want your students to revise study material before an exam, make sure you revise and summarize your lectures at the end of each class. Take 2 to 3 minutes to revise everything you have covered before closing the session. Leaving your students with the highlights of the lecture can help them retain content for longer.After you are done revising, give students assignments or quizzes to refresh their memory.
Lastly, always seek feedback. Maybe your students find it hard to follow your pace or have issues with the content. Know for sure by asking them!
Parting thoughts
If you seek more tips for becoming a better online educator, check out the recorded and live lectures by Top Educators at Unacademy. One of India’s most sought-after e-learning portals, Unacademyhas transformed online learning for both competitive exam preparation and K-12 learning. Whether you are a learner or an educator, through platforms like Unacademy, you can learn and teach better.
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