An Educator’s View: Virtual Teaching Takes Work. 5 Remote Learning Lessons from an Online High School Principal
Effective online learning requires strong communication and engagement between educators, students, and parents. In a remote learning environment, it’s crucial for teachers to regularly reach out to students and their families to provide support and establish a sense of connection. Communication can take various forms, such as personalized emails, virtual meetings, or even phone calls. By maintaining open lines of communication, teachers can address any challenges or concerns that students may have, ensure they are staying on track, and offer guidance and encouragement.
Additionally, teachers should consider leveraging available resources within their communities to enhance online learning. Collaborating with local libraries, community organizations, or educational platforms can provide students with additional opportunities for learning and enrichment. This collaborative approach can also help alleviate the pressure on teachers by spreading the workload and providing students with diverse learning experiences.
5 Flexibility and adaptability are key
Online learning requires flexibility and adaptability from both educators and students. Recognizing that each student has unique circumstances and learning needs is crucial. Teachers should be prepared to adjust their instructional strategies and approaches to accommodate different learning styles and preferences. Providing multiple avenues for students to access and engage with content, such as through videos, interactive activities, or virtual simulations, can cater to a range of learning preferences.
Moreover, teachers should be open to incorporating student feedback and suggestions into their online lessons. Creating a collaborative and interactive learning environment where students feel empowered to voice their opinions and contribute to the learning process can enhance engagement and motivation.
In conclusion, online learning presents educators with unique challenges, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, by embracing differentiation, utilizing formative assessments, leveraging data, prioritizing communication and outreach, and fostering flexibility and adaptability, teachers can create effective and engaging online learning experiences that meet the diverse needs of their students.
The importance of community in fostering confidence cannot be underestimated. It is crucial to establish strong connections among students, which in turn encourages them to rely on their peers and teachers for support. In traditional classroom settings, a sense of community naturally develops as students interact with one another. However, in an online learning environment, this sense of community requires more effort. Nonetheless, it is the most powerful way to ensure that students stay on track. To build community in remote settings, it is essential to provide timely and comprehensive feedback on tests and assignments, along with clear grading rubrics. Additionally, frequent opportunities for peer-to-peer and student-instructor interaction must be offered. The ultimate goal is for learners to feel like they are part of an online community, rather than just having one-on-one interactions with a computer.
As online learning continues to be the norm for many students, it is important for teachers to draw lessons from early adopters in this field. By incorporating these lessons into their teaching practices, teachers can create an online learning experience that effectively supports their students’ needs and ensures that learning continues despite unprecedented uncertainties.
Megan Bowen, the director of Penn Foster High School, wrote this article.
