Module 8: Lesson 8 - Online planning and teaching Flashcards
What are the benefits of online learning?
It’s extremely accessible and flexible.
It can often be more affordable.
It provides learners with access to teachers and classmates from around the world.
It is a very useful solution if learners are too far away from a school or teacher.
What are some benefits of 1:1 learning?
- It can be a really effective way of learning.
- If students have a short amount of time to achieve a particular goal, such as to pass an exam.
- Some business clients may prefer a one-to-one class.
- For those with a learning disability, such as dyslexia, and will do much better in a one-to-one environment. Also who are very shy or very young.
- They can earn you more money as a TEFL teacher, and can be extremely effective for your students.
What are some downsides to 1:1 teaching?
- You’ll need to prepare more materials since it goes quicker.
- Teacher must take on the role of teacher and peer.
- No breaks, 100% attention on learner.
- It can be tough if the learner is not motivated.
- Clash in personality could be very challenging.
- Teacher has to work hard to create good opportunities for communication.
Consider the differences in teaching face-to-face and online in the following areas:
- Activities and materials
- Opportunities for communication
- Lesson approach
- Taking breaks
- Timings
- Monitoring and feedback
Activities and materials: F2F requires physical coursework materials to be prepared and printed. Online requires the same, but in a digital format. Just-in-case materials needed.
Opportunities for communication: F2F requires breaking learners into groups for pair work or group work. Online requires breakout rooms, and in 1:1 cases the teacher becomes peer, too.
Lesson approach: F2F requires PPP and skills learning approaches. Online requires the same, but some activities may not be suitable.
Taking breaks: F2F requires more breaks for 1:1 since it’s more intense. Online also requires breaks, but not as many since it tends to be a bit shorter.
Timings: F2F timing for 1:1 is more fixed and for groups is more fluid. Online can be tricky since learners can move quickly or slowly through materials.
Monitoring and feedback: F2F is easy and teacher can walk around and 1:1 has the learner right there. Online is harder and breakout rooms are the only ways to monitor, feedback has to be useful.
What are some technical and lesson planning considerations you should keep in mind?
- Buy good equipment and have spares, just in case.
- Be prepared for technical issues.
- Choose a suitable learning platform.
- Familiarize yourself with common teaching platforms.
- Plan to utilize the virtual whiteboard fully.
What are some common challenges and solutions faced during a lesson?
- Connecting with learners: make eye contact, smile, use names, use gestures.
- Learners may get distracted: play with mic and camera.
- Using the traditional whiteboard: you can use the virtual one or a real one.
- Participation: use chatbox, collaborative tasks.
- Technical problems: keep calm and switch to a back up.
- Improve your online teaching: request feedback after about preferences, likes, and dislikes.
What are some resources you could use in the online classroom?
Padlet - A shared noticeboard tool for posting and commenting on each other’s work.
Quizizz and Kahoot - Create fun in-class quizzes.
Class Tools - Games and tools to bring fun to classes. Check out the Random Name Picker.
Mentimeter - Create live word clouds, quizzes, and polls (free intro)
Macmillan English - Macmillan’s distance teaching and learning hub
Lesson Flows - This site has a large bank of activities for your online classes.
Eaquals - This resource has a useful webinar on using Zoom for teaching.
