With the unexpected COVID-19 pandemic, schools around the world have taken a step to closing their doors to help promote social distancing in the hope of slowing the spread of virus. However, the transition to an online learning could be challenge for everyone. Whatever approach schools decide to take, there are a few ways in which teachers can help make the transition easier and simpler for everyone
Flexibility is the Key
For most of the scholars and even teachers, taking all their classes fully online are going to be relatively new experience. The teachers and students are both having trouble to adapting the new style of learning. Providing some flexibility for students especially when they have to begun a new learning approach will help them feel free to ask for help. Waiving late penalties or providing extra opportunities for revision assist the students. As students become comfortable with the new sort of learning, teachers can increase accountability but should still provide more flexibility in extenuating circumstances. Flexibility may differ depending upon the students, the situation and the assignment.
Be Empathetic
Moving to the web environment is creating challenges for everybody. It'll look different for various teachers and students, but it is vital that teachers avoid making assumptions about where students "should" be in their comfort level or progress.
Some students who have performed well in their face-to-face classrooms may struggle in a web environment, while some who struggled previously may flourish. And there'll be some students who have historically struggled in school may find that online learning is even tougher.
Teachers got to manage their expectations appropriately, understanding that for a few students, two or more weeks of learning from home seems like a luxury with technology, space, and parental support to assist them along the way. For other students, home might not be such a secure space. The house could also be overcrowded, access to technology and therefore the internet could also be minimal or non-existent, parents could also be neglectful or absent, and food could also scarce.
There is a plus of face-to-face interaction, even teachers can struggle to realize insight which will be easy to detect through a brief conversation or observation. The online learning requires teachers to hunt clarity by asking questions until they fully understand what's behind a student's mindset. By leading sympathetically, an educator can put aside assumptions and may support the scholars where they're lacking.
For most scholars and teachers, taking all their classes fully online will be a relatively new experience. As students become comfortable with the new sort of learning, teachers can increase accountability but should still provide more flexibility in extenuating circumstances.
Train the Trainers
Whether the school decides to choose an experienced virtual instructor or upskill the present teachers who only have the in-person experience, a particular amount of coaching the teachers must happen. It's important that teachers must understand the way to use the virtual teaching platform. Otherwise, they’ll delay and possibly even derail their efforts. There's no harm in having a beginner’s mindset. If the teacher has trouble to know the new technology, the students can take a lead, as nowadays almost every student may be a tech savvy, and help the teachers to get the hang of it. This precious time also will help to develop a more cordial student-teacher relationship.
Feel like School at Your Home
As students will now be transforming from an offline learning to a web learning, they are going to spend most of their time on computers, so it'll be helpful if they get some feel of classroom in their bedroom. Like they might have dedicated school space, that can help foster an identical sort of learning environment as on-campus. It might even be a little desk reception in a quiet area that permits them to focus. Also, online learning are cutting of-edge and need resources like desktop or laptop, a stable internet connection and possibly a webcam, headset and microphone – to make sure they will successfully access their teaching. Also, parents got to confirm that their children, especially the youngest learners, have the skills to log in to the apps and know their passwords.
Parents Involvement
No matter how well the teachers prepare the resources and guidelines, kids tend to struggle as this a replacement experience for them. Teachers spend much of their preparation time analyzing activities to enhance subsequent lesson. As parents, it's time to step into teaching roles, help students to focus, and begin scheduling their time. A schedule will also allow the parents to watch the activities of youngsters and make most of it with their children during the quarantine. By building in breaks, and a variety of private activities, parents can tailor plans to satisfy children’s individual needs.
