Remote teaching is difficult. Explaining new concepts, setting challenging work, assessing progress and giving meaningful feedback are challenging at the best of times - even at the best of times. But we are now having to build all of this into an online space, and without the same ability to gauge students' reactions to guide us. This brings a lot of challenges for teachers to ensure students are motivated, engaged, and are actually learning. Our teachers have shared some insight into what has helped them organise thoughtful classes for students during this difficult time.
Here are 10 tips for managing Zoom classes:
Have a plan or structure for each lesson. Planning will give you and your students confidence. Make the students aware of what is happening throughout each lesson and what your expectations are. Give them a plan for the week and outline some of the activities or assessments that will take place. Having an understanding of when to complete certain activities will usually result in better outcomes.
Plan to be flexible and adaptable if there are any issues with IT. Give extra time to complete activities online. It can help to inform your students where materials are saved on either Teams or the school portal to avoid confusion. Give them a hands on demonstration of how to access class material - don’t assume all students are okay with technology.
Vary your class plans to keep students interested. Students (as well as teachers) will need a bit of variety with extended periods at the screen, particularly in lessons where there is a lot of content to be covered.
Be aware of the timing of your classes. In the morning, students are normally rolling out of bed and straight to class in hoodies and ugg boots. They might need something interactive to begin the class. Another example is a Friday afternoon class. Complete a revision handout or do an engaging learning activity such as a Kahoot if students seem sluggish at the end of the week.
No more than 15 minutes of explanation at the start of each lesson. You want students to complete the activities and not fall asleep listening online. Quick instructions allow students time to ask questions either as a group or individually.
Use collaboration either by putting students together in rooms (zoom) or in channels (Teams). This tends to motivate students to complete activities.
Whilst students are working, make an effort to chat to individual students or groups if you are encouraging collaboration. This again gives students confidence to ask questions which they may not otherwise do in an online group situation.
Allow time to talk with students individually at the end. Have a formal end to your class 5 minutes before the end. This will allow any students who may want to ask a question without the online class pressure to feel more comfortable to talk.
Record your lessons or make videos which allow students to review any of the information in case there are students who are absent. This makes it easy for students to use these videos for any revision before assessments.
Give students a break from time to time. Having something fun to do helps take the sting out of hours parked in front of a screen.
Feel free to get in touch with us at extra.exams@gmail.com if you'd like to share any tips you may have, or to enquire about our VCE Trial Exams.
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