Guidelines for effective online teaching

Just a couple of years back, people used to prefer large cities so that their children attend the best schools with the best teachers. Online learning was considered a supplementary source of learning that was good to have but not necessary. The pandemic forced the entire world to go online. Now everyone had to learn online. Teachers faced the most challenging time as now they didn’t have to simply worry about teaching but also quickly adapt to the online teaching model. They had to make sure they are their online teaching is effective. But is it that easy? Certainly not.

Here are a few tips for effective teaching in an online mode:

• Focus on ‘active’ learning 

Most students are not comfortable with the online mode of learning. This is because, naturally, there is a physical barrier between them and the teachers as well as with their peers. On top of that, if the classes are ones where they have to only listen, they will easily get bored. Hence, it is important that you incorporate active learning methods at least in online learning classes. This means that in addition to the regular ‘lectures’, you should incorporate elements such as group discussions, pop quizzes, and other such activities that will allow your students to participate in the learning process actively.

• Use multi-media assignments

Even outside of the classroom, when they have to do any homework or assignments, try to have various multi-media elements in those. For example, instead of simply giving them 5 questions to answer, you can ask them to make a presentation on a chart paper or even ask them to shoot a short video explaining a concept. You can also give them a documentary link to watch and then let them explain a summary in the next class. Having multi-media assignments will reinvigorate your students’ interest and help them get better conceptual clarity about the topics.

In LEAD’s ​​online platform for teaching, features like iHomework allow teachers to provide assignments in the form of:

• Watch a video
• Read & learn
• Write in workbook & upload
• MCQs

Homework reaches students instantly after the teacher marks the day plan as done & syncs the tab.

• Break it down into small parts

Long lectures can be boring, especially in the online mode, where most of the time, children need to simply stare at a screen. To make your online classes more interesting, break them down into smaller parts. So for example, if you are taking a live online lecture, teach in smaller parts say 10-15 mins, follow it up by a short question-answer session, include a group activity in between, and so on. This will ensure your students remain attentive and they have fun attending your classes.

LEAD is a disruptive school integrated system that empowers all school stakeholders like parents, teachers, and school owners to derive the best learning outcomes for students.

LEAD’s online platform for teaching is accompanied by a teacher excellence kit that is loaded with high-quality, ready-made lesson plans. To make every chapter engaging, various resources are provided such as videos, slides, images, and digital copies of books and workbooks. The teacher app also contains training materials, marks entry, remedial analysis, and attendance. Additionally, features like ihomework, help save the time of teachers in doing checking assignments and homework. This enables them to focus on providing excellent education to their students.

Apart from providing them with quality tools and resources, LEAD also conducts regular teacher training via LEAD Academy which is integrated with its online platform for teaching, thus enabling teachers to regularly upskill themselves. LEAD helps the teachers at LEAD Powered Schools, become Super Teachers.