Online teaching has become an essential part of the education system.
It has transformed the way educators conduct lectures. The focus has now shifted towards imparting quality learning among students instead of the traditional emphasis on rote learning. Educators, too, have stepped up their game and are riding on the momentum. As a result, it is safe to say that virtual classrooms are here to stay.
So, teachers need to ponder on the learnings provided by the virtual setup and be prepared for classrooms of the future.
Here are 7 learnings that every educator should be aware of before stepping into the new normal.
You can teach in an engaging way
One major learning that educators received is that teaching can be more engaging and interactive. Educators can now use an online teaching platform and leverage PPTs, videos, images, and infographics to stimulate students’ minds for better learning outcomes. These tools boost subject comprehension as lectures aren’t monotonous and tend to increase student involvement.
So, when you transition into the new normal of futuristic classrooms, make sure you keep students engaged with fun yet educational activities.
You can record your lectures
Recording lectures is beneficial in more ways than one can imagine. The primary use is that the recorded video helps students who missed out on the previous session, learn directly from the source. They don’t have to rely on others’ notes thus ensuring that no information is missed.
Another benefit is that it allows children to revise concepts easily. If they are revisiting a topic that was taught 2 weeks ago or so, there are chances that students might not be able to recall all the information. Recorded lectures aid them in the process. Similarly, teachers too can improve on their delivery by observing the way they conduct lectures.
You can foster 2-way communication
A classroom comprises students from different walks of life and unique personalities. Some tend to be extroverted and confident, while many are introverted and shy. During traditional classes, only the former mostly asked the doubts and interacted with teachers. Online lectures have broken this age-old norm.
During online lectures, students feel more comfortable expressing ideas in written form, i.e. in the chatbox or personally messaging the teacher. This ensures that learners have the opportunity to express themselves and ask as many doubts as they want to, irrespective of their personality traits. So, in the near future, it’s recommended that educators create a common forum that allows and encourages children to express themselves, thus, improving in-class engagement.
You can use breakout rooms to witness higher engagement
Breakout rooms allow students to take a quick break for a couple of minutes and discuss a topic with their peers or just simply unwind. In online classes, educators can ask learners to brainstorm on a concept or a numerical problem by asking them to use breakout rooms.
Another way to use breakout rooms is that teachers can provide 5-minute breaks in the middle of the lectures and let students unwind. You can choose how many breaks you want to give. This refreshes their minds and allows them to resume lectures without the risk of mental exhaustion. This can significantly improve student involvement, engagement levels and ability to grasp concepts.
You can provide and receive in-depth feedback
Virtual classrooms have motivated teachers to explore new ways to provide feedback. Marking the answer wrong directly without providing an explanation is not viable anymore. Today, educators can simply conduct a 5-minute 1-on-1 session with the student any time during the week and discuss the areas that need to be worked on. This provides learners with realistic assessment of their strengths and weaknesses, while also guiding them towards learning better.
Similarly, teachers too can ask for a student’s feedback regarding the lecture. A simple google form can do the trick. This allows educators to reflect upon the areas of improvement and iterate on their teaching strategy until they get it right. As a result, the overall quality of lectures significantly improves.
Transitioning to the new normal
Once teachers internalize these learnings, they can make a smoother transition into classrooms of the future. By making some minor tweaks, they can ride this new wave and impart quality education to learners. This improves their credibility as educators, helping them surpass even their own expectations of delivering engaging lectures.
