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Having done stacks of live remote lessons since March, there are a few things I've learned.
Not sure if this is useful to anyone, and every context is different, and yes, I teach sixth form. But sharing just in case.
#remotelearning #onlinelearning
Not sure if this is useful to anyone, and every context is different, and yes, I teach sixth form. But sharing just in case.
#remotelearning #onlinelearning
YOU CAN DO IT!
It's quite scary at first. You'll be teaching into the abyss... You won't see the students, but they'll see and/or hear you.
I'd regularly doubt myself at the start of lessons.
But then I'd begin, and it was fine.
It's quite scary at first. You'll be teaching into the abyss... You won't see the students, but they'll see and/or hear you.
I'd regularly doubt myself at the start of lessons.
But then I'd begin, and it was fine.
THE STUDENTS WILL BE MORE GRATEFUL THAN USUAL
I teach nice kids, and one or two of them say thanks most lessons. With remote lessons, they almost all do. I think they 'get' it... that we're there for them bringing something vaguely 'normal' in a turbulent time.
I teach nice kids, and one or two of them say thanks most lessons. With remote lessons, they almost all do. I think they 'get' it... that we're there for them bringing something vaguely 'normal' in a turbulent time.
SETTING OUT EXPECTATIONS AT START OF THE 1ST ONLINE LESSON = VITAL
- what rules do you have for using the chat bar?
- stress that you want their full attention... I.e. not one eye on Netflix!
- remind them of your usual expectations
- what rules do you have for using the chat bar?
- stress that you want their full attention... I.e. not one eye on Netflix!
- remind them of your usual expectations
THE STUDENTS NEED TO BE YOUR EYES AND EARS
- the single hardest thing, I find, is knowing when they're ready to move on with activities. We teachers normally detect this by looking at their work, hearing the classroom volume rise, changes in body language, etc.
- the single hardest thing, I find, is knowing when they're ready to move on with activities. We teachers normally detect this by looking at their work, hearing the classroom volume rise, changes in body language, etc.
... at times you will rely on students to tell you they're 'ready'/'done' via the chat
IF YOU MISS YOUR WHITEBOARD
Google Jamboard is well worth playing around with. Basic, does the job.
There are fancier alternatives if you prefer.
Google Jamboard is well worth playing around with. Basic, does the job.
There are fancier alternatives if you prefer.
TRY TO HEAR FROM THE STUDENTS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
e.g...
- in the chat
- via Google Forms or similar
... the challenge is to avoid the same 3 or 4 answering for everyone else every time!
e.g...
- in the chat
- via Google Forms or similar
... the challenge is to avoid the same 3 or 4 answering for everyone else every time!
QUICK TIP:
Presenting a PowerPoint can mean you don't see the chat bar. By joining the video conference on my mobile, I could keep an eye on the chat bar, e.g. to respond to qu's.
Presenting a PowerPoint can mean you don't see the chat bar. By joining the video conference on my mobile, I could keep an eye on the chat bar, e.g. to respond to qu's.
MOST IMPORTANTLY
I don't think it's about aiming for spectacular super-fun lessons. I think it's just about providing, as best we can, structure, community and learning.
I'm so delighted that my students say remote lessons feel pretty close to normal. 'Normal'. Not amazing.
I don't think it's about aiming for spectacular super-fun lessons. I think it's just about providing, as best we can, structure, community and learning.
I'm so delighted that my students say remote lessons feel pretty close to normal. 'Normal'. Not amazing.
Anyway, hope that might've helped someone. Happy to answer any queries on live lessons anyone might have, if useful.
