Teaching online

I participated in the webinar about teaching English online and I would like to share my reflections and some tips mentioned by the speakers. Firstly, there are many different ways to teach remotely, but it is a teacher's task to choose the way to conduct the lesson. The speaker encourages to focus on supporting relationships as teachers are responsible for the well-being of children. Teachers should also help students to adjust to the situation of learning online.

The speaker of the webinar mentions some of the advantages of online lessons including the perspective of parents and teachers. Online lessons can be convenient for parents because of no commute time, parents have some time for themselves, developing children’s computer skills and higher control of what is happening during a lesson (parents’ appreciation for teachers growth). Additionally, teachers also identify some benefits including no commute time, students do not touch teacher's materials and do not destroy them, unlimited online materials, parents are also responsible for their child behaviour, flexible schedule, possibility to work from everywhere (if internet works well) and the mode ‘mute all’. 

The perfect lesson is about keeping the balance including personal interactions in front of the camera (including realia and props), online materials shown through ‘share screen’ mode and hands-on activities (in front of SS’ camera). Moreover, the language should be presented in an entertaining way, students should be challenged and encouraged to use their higher order thinking skills. Teachers can use realia, attention grabbers, slideshows, games and many interesting videos available at YouTube. The speaker suggests showing children more authentic pictures rather than presenting a smiling sun which is an artificial representation of the reality. For example, teachers could use the EarthCam to talk about the weather and see different places around the world. I think it is a really good idea and I am planning to implement it in lessons with my students. It is also advised to include hands-on activities, as well as bringing, but also making props. Lessons conducted online should also promote movement, for example, children could be asked to bring something from a different room.

What do you think are the main challenges of online teaching?

Angelika