Online distance learning is one of the most recent educational developments that come in handy when students cannot attend classes in person. And the COVID-19 pandemic made distance learning even more popular. Since we could no longer interact socially, we relied on the internet for education.
As expected, this new learning method has been a challenge for some to adopt. So, this article will guide teachers to get the best out of distance learning solutions. Let’s check out the most effective distance learning methods.
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Choose the best learning tools
There are several learning management systems out there, including Google Classroom, Hangout, and Edmodo. To get the best tool for your students, focus on easy-to-use platforms. Also, opt for resources that provide a simple and interactive user interface. Because a complex user interface will only make learning more tedious.
As a teacher, seek ways to make learning easier for your distance learning 2021 students.
Most of these scholars are looking for faster ways to digest information. As a result, they will receive alternative learning methods with open arms.
Also, learn to leverage digital aids for teaching by summarising lessons into slides or through YouTube tutorials. You can always protect the teaching content with a password if you want them to be for your students exclusively.
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Set expectations early
The idea of distance education is a new concept to most students. So, it is best to set expectations for your students to help them monitor their progress during the academic year.
Some expectations for your students should include:
- A clear outline of upcoming activities
- Assessment and reporting arrangements
- Communication and behavioral guidelines
- Semester workload and the deadline(s) for submission
- Group or individual collaboration.
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Gather your teaching resources
Preparing impromptu lecture notes is not advisable with distance learning. You need to prioritize your lesson preparations to deliver the best lectures to your students. Besides, when teaching online, time can become a blur, and the best way to remain organized is by preparing everything beforehand.
If you want to use other academic resources like YouTube and Vimeo videos, you can easily share multimedia content with the touch of a button. But avoid looking for e-learning online education resources for your lectures in class because this makes you look unprepared and sets a bad example for your students.
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Connect with students personally
In physical classrooms, teachers can reach out to students individually. As strange as it sounds, you can still do that with online learning by creating online forums for your students to communicate with you and their peers.
When you reach out to students, it gives them a sense of belonging. With e-learning creative education, students learn how to think on their feet. So, you can establish a fast-paced e-learning school education environment to keep them motivated.
Moreover, teachers are also caregivers. When you connect with your students, you will identify their personal and academic struggles.
How Can I Get My Homework Done for Sure?
To avoid cramming and burnout, you need to prepare a homework plan at all times. Once you’re assigned a task, make sure to write it down in a notebook, understand the assignment, and start budgeting your time.
But just because it’s called “homework” doesn’t mean you have to set it aside as an after-class job. If you have extra time between study periods, try to work on it straight away. This way, you’ll get the job done sooner, and spend more time relaxing and unwind later at night.
However, there will be times that homework simply can’t be completed no matter how hard you pay attention in class. It could be that the subject is too difficult or that you don’t have the skills required to complete the task. Nobody understands everything, which is why there’s nothing embarrassing about asking for help.
This could cost you money, but there’s the option of finding a tutor or homework helper online. Find out which are the top homework assignment websites, and get them to help you with a difficult question or subject.
The beauty of hiring a homework helper is that you have the chance to ask questions and work with them at your own pace. Otherwise, you can ask your teacher to explain things more clearly, or get the help of a classmate who can help explain a topic you’re having trouble understanding.
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Reach out to your students’ parents and guardians
When teaching students remotely, get in contact with their parents. Talk to them about how to guide their children with schoolwork. Give them guidelines to help their kids boost their performance. This approach will help the parents know how to help their kids learn.
Besides, involving parents in the distance learning process also keep them in the loop about their children’s academics. With e-learning sites online education, parents can monitor their kids’ daily or weekly assessment reports.
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Encourage open communication
Online education e-learning and distance learning are new concepts for students. And the fact that they use the same devices for learning and entertainment doesn’t help. They can easily get distracted by other apps on their phones.
Moreover, students often tune in to online lectures while watching videos in the background. So it is necessary to ensure they are following the learning content.
You can start a conversation about school work in the chat section and monitor the non-responsive students and those trying to derail the conversation. Ultimately, try to give every student a fair chance to participate in academic discussions.
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Meet with other teachers
One of the best ways to grow is by meeting people with similar interests. Joining tutors’ forums will expose you to diverse teaching strategies. You will also learn how more experienced teachers handle distance learning.
Get involved with e-learning teacher education to broaden your horizon. And most importantly, organize and attend virtual teacher hangouts for your personal and professional development.
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Let the students do the work
E-learning and education exist to help students learn, so always give them academic work to do. Organize discussions and student-led forums to hone their leadership skills. Help them build interpersonal skills by allowing them to take part in discussions and brainstorming exercises.
You also have to understand that students can only get better by practicing with the learning material. So, you should give them as much work as possible with enough time to digest the educational content. To spice it up, ask them to research on their own and formulate study notes.
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Segment your class
As a teacher, you should understand that everyone learns at a different pace. So, your teaching method should find a middle ground to accommodate slow learners and special needs students. Although this class segmentation will create more work for you, it will help the students stay on pace with their peers.
You can use e-learning for special education tools to assist students with special needs in your class. Luckily, most contemporary e-learning special education platforms have online resources for challenged students.
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Encourage a supportive online community
Dealing with students in distance learning can be a challenge, especially when it comes to classroom discipline. Although you can punish them for every misdemeanor, try to remember that most of these students are struggling to adjust to the new normal.
Moreover, you should support your students emotionally and psychologically. Be on the lookout for bullies and trolls in your class. Cyberbullying is prevalent in online learning today. So, combat this type of behavior by promoting mutual respect and fairness across the board.
Ultimately, encourage your students to support each other through group projects and virtual support communities.
Final Words
E-learning has significantly influenced how we teach and learn. Teachers and students have had to make their fair share of adjustments. But as a tutor and leader, you need to learn how to adapt to the changes.
Always try to learn new teaching techniques and personalize the students’ learning experience. Technical issues may occasionally arise, making the e-learning process difficult. But with a bit of extra effort, you can easily push past these barriers.
Use the tips discussed above to get better results when teaching with distance learning.
Founder Dinis Guarda
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