Number 1
Online teaching: a new reality that can open up a world of new opportunities. As most of us are still trying to adapt to teaching students remotely we sometimes get carried away by the comfort of our on home and forget that people are watching us, which brings us to do and don’t number
-Do look presentable-as you would in a classroom
-Don’t wear your pj bottoms (you never know when you may need to stand up during a lesson)
Number 2
When in front of a computer screen students can easily get distracted and start browsing other webpages. That is why you need to make sure to keep them constantly engaged.
-Do keep asking your students questions, get them to do short quizzes, or engage them in interactive activities.
-Don’t engage in lecture-type lessons as it is easy for students to get distracted and stop paying attention.
Number 3
Certain students may experience connectivity issues. This can happen to you too and can be quite frustrating and upsetting. Not to worry- connectivity issues can be solved most of the times.
-Do sit as close to the modem/wifi source as possible and try rebooting it if the issue persists. You can test your internet speed at www.fast.com.
-Don’t use transmitters and have the wifi/modem far away or have others in your house use the internet while you’re experiencing such issues.
Number 4
Not all of us are computer wizzes. Most online platforms will offer an array of different tools to use and you may find yourselves struggling to remember how to use each tool. Remember though that a lot of amazing teachers use the simplest tools and still manage to deliver a fantastic lesson.
-Do use the tools you are comfortable with and are used to.
-Don’t push yourself to use tools you are unsure of for the first time in a session. You may get anxious and lose precious teaching time. You can practice using the tools before the session in order to get acquainted with them.
Number 5
Certain noise/sounds that may not be as loud or distracting in class may ruin an online lesson.
-Do sit in a quiet room in the house and use headphones to drown out any background noise.
-Don’t sit in a room where others are cooking, laughing, watching television, or doing the dishes as that may disrupt your class.
Number 6
Power cuts! Now what?
-Do – if possible- use other means to conduct your lesson such as a mobile phone. You’d be surprised how many resources there are online to help you conduct a satisfactory lesson from your mobile phone.
-Don’t run to the nearest internet cafe to conduct your lesson as it may be noisy and you will lose time getting there.
Number 7
It’s all about the lighting! Ever wonder why you may look dark in front of a camera?
-Do sit with the lighting source in front of you. This way your students will be able to see you.
-Don’t have the lighting source behind you by, for example, sitting in front of a window.