Teaching online has never become as necessary for many teachers as it is since the forced confinement due to COVID -19. For those who are not used to teaching in a digital environment, the transition can be difficult not only technically, but also because it is a different experience than face-to-face classes.
Many teachers think that students could take the subject online without the teacher’s participation being necessary and therefore, they design the course without taking into account that the modern digital environment calls for multimedia interactivity. To do it successfully, the characteristics of the students must be taken into account and the contents structured accordingly, just as if it were a normal classroom, but with new tools.
Take advantage of technological resources
As a first point to consider for successful online teaching, you must ensure that students are clear about how the course will be developed and what is expected of them. A teacher accustomed to face-to-face classes may overlook that a new environment can create confusion in students.
It is also important to have clear and fluid communication with which you can gain the trust of the students. For this, it helps that the teacher shows himself in the videos, as it creates a certain empathy. It is also useful to use other technological tools such as chat, e- learning platforms , among others used to answer questions from students.
The multimedia environment is very helpful if not indispensable for successful online teaching, as it makes it easier to maintain interest. Live videos interspersed with pre-recorded videos, podcasts, e-books, and presentations can stimulate engagement with the course. Making use of visual tools is particularly recommended, as they tend to focus the attention of students who are used to interacting with the screen all the time. There are even platforms that make it possible to provide them with content designed for mobile devices, which is ideal.
Communication for successful online teaching
In alternation with the above, it is useful to establish live discussion forums, either through chats or video, since creating an online community stimulates the exchange of ideas and reinforces learning.
Feedback to students must be agile and timely with precise and clear language that will increase its effectiveness. At the same time, we must be prepared for those students who will be reluctant to this type of online classes and will resist participating, so it may be appropriate to establish communication channels to be in contact with them; For this, it is important to make use of technological tools that provide this communicative support and interaction with students, and that at the same time allow classes, activities and participation to be managed.
With e- learning platforms this is possible, thanks to the fact that they allow managing and interacting with students. Currently on the market there are various offers, however, it is always advisable to look for the one that meets the needs of the educational center. As a recommendation, look for those that are responsive so that the student can use the platform whenever they need it on any electronic device. Keeping this in mind favors the implementation of successful online teaching.
