Online teaching is different from regular brick-and-mortar schools, so the teaching process also varies in the field of virtual education. Today, teachers know that online education needs slightly different skills than in-person teaching. The essential qualities of an online teacher are creativity, patience, knowledge about the curriculum, and lots of class-related preparation. These qualities not only build the confidence among the teachers but also create a good effect on the online exam and the result of the students. Here we will discuss the teaching ideas for beginner teachers to provide a clearer perspective.

Strategies for Teaching Online Classes Effectively

We have been saying that due to Covid19, the education system has been shifted to online mode. But the truth is that distance learning has been there for a long time and has steadily increased globally. The pandemic forced the whole system to be online for a couple of years, and now many online learning platforms are developing.

Select the right tools for your Class

Beginner teachers need to be familiarized with their own school’s or institution’s Learning Management System (LMS). It is the primary tool by which they will communicate and share documents. Therefore, they should familiarize themselves with it earlier and before starting a class. If they cannot perfectly inhabit it, it is necessary to ask for the right tool and instructions from other tech-savvy people. 

Clear communication with students and parents

Parents often want to hear from the teachers, and without proper communication, the whole system can feel disconnected. In addition, they want to know about the student’s progress at a specific interval. Assure them that you as a teacher are always aware of the ward and your virtual door is open for respectful communication. 

Provide more information through lessons

A teacher’s success in online classes comes from an organized lesson plan. Use both synchronous (real-time teaching) and asynchronous (self-paced instruction) for your lessons. Maintain synchronous teaching through LMS, using phones, video calls, and live chats during online classes. Asynchronous education like recorded videos and preparing homework tasks through assignments, activities, or discussion boards can help students stay connected with the lesson and the teacher. Both ways of online study have their benefits and necessities. 

Strategies for Teaching online for the Beginners 

As online education is rapidly growing, teachers comfortable with online teaching courses are in high demand. Yet some of the teachers are beginners to online education. Some are starting new, while others have shifted to online teaching from offline schools. In both the cases, those teachers are beginners, and hence, they need some strategies and practice to take successful online classes: 

Communication Skills

• Cordial Atmosphere

Teachers have to be friendly and welcoming while teaching online from the very beginning. To build a supportive learning environment, he has to build trust among the students. Therefore, creating a connection with clear communication is highly essential. 

• Virtual Communication

While taking online classes, teachers should be available when students need answers to their questions. Since students have to listen during Class most of the time without asking any questions, if the teacher is available online to respond, it is a great way to connect. The teachers can assist through emails, texting, video conferencing, and phone calls for group or one-one help. It also creates a communication bond with the students. 

• Feedbacks

Consistent feedback from teachers, especially for the students learning through online classrooms, is most important. There are many ways for teachers to evaluate students’ performance to speed up their progress. Teachers should take the idea of regularly measuring improvement, predicting problems, and proposing suggestions to the students even if they do not need much. 

• Supportive Qualities

At the very beginning, the teachers have to realize that every interaction with the students should become a positive experience to be a great online tutor, even from a distance. Students should ask questions, and it is only possible if the teacher is dedicated and supportive. They will complete the task with tremendous enthusiasm if the teacher supports students individually. 

• Share and Discuss Your Ideas

Teachers should share and discuss ideas through various virtual modes. For example, they can put on recorded videos where the students can type their queries or feedback. In addition, documents can be shared through Google Classroom with the students to complete homework assignments. While sharing new ideas with students in the virtual Class, teachers can engage the students’ attention, and if they can do it, it is an outstanding achievement.  

• Build a Strong Online Classroom

Passion and adaptability create a healthy, positive environment, especially in the virtual classroom. Teachers, through these qualities, can engage the students even during the online exam. While taking online courses and online tests, students will follow the rules out of respect for a passionate teacher.

• Make Your Lesson Interactive and Fascinating

The virtual class should be fun from the beginning. Teachers can make a class interactive by discussing the subject matter with students and asking unconventional questions. Make your lessons lively with colorful charts and icons, and deliver the PDF before starting the Class. This way, students will anticipate something exciting and will be connected from the beginning of the Class. A teacher can use drawings, polls, quizzes, and collaborative boards for more interactive discussions with the students in a live class. 

• Be Clear and Consistent with Expectations

Virtually it is nearly impossible to get to know each student separately. So before anything occurs which can disturb the virtual classroom management, crystal clear rules or expectations should be there before the students, especially during the live discussions. There will be energetic and silent students, and teachers must balance both kinds. Create pointers or a list of rules before starting a class. 

• Incorporate Different Activities 

While you set rules and give prior information about the lesson in virtual Class, this can come as an excellent surprise to the students during the activity or games classes. There are some popular activities like storytime, where students can build a story, one at a time, or ‘Teach Us’, where students can get extra credit if they teach about something within the lesson. The teachers can use these techniques and test online the student’s engagement. 

To Sum Up

There is no one strategy to teach ideally during online classes. It is a problem for beginner teachers mostly. It’s an ongoing experiment, and it depends on the subject, context, and students. However, some web applications like Classplus can help the teachers, especially the beginners, deal with the Class according to their expectations and with proper technical help to enhance the virtual teaching experience by working on their own app customized as per their own requirements.