Teaching Languages OnlineTeaching online has become somewhat the norm for many educators in the past few years. In this video, I am going to discuss 7 (maybe 8) things all educators should keep in mind when they are teaching online. Although the opening screen states that this talk is about teaching languages online, the tips and thinking points I discuss in this talk are relevant to all teachers who are teaching online. So, if you have a fully developed online course, or are using Zoom or Google classrooms etc. to teach online, this video is for you
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Teaching Online: 7 Thinking Points
1. Know your technology: Take the time to understand all of the functions and potential uses your chosen technology provides. Also remember, each learner will have different abilities with using technology - so make sure you help them adjust. Finally, understand the limitations of technology. For example, if a student lacks bandwidth, or you lack bandwidth, certain websites or online activities may not be possible..
1a. Experience being an online learner: Experience being an online learner will help you understand the online learner's perspective a little better.
2. Turn up your energy and decrease distractions: When you are teaching online, you must dial up your energy to more effectively engage your learners. At the same time, you must limit distractions for your learners – and this means having learners close unused browsers, put away their phones, and refrain from using the chat features of any online learning tools during dedicated teaching sections or spoken discussions. When students split their attention between too many devices, applications, or inputs, then digital distraction occurs.
3. Manage distance and structure (personal connection and distance created by technology): When you teach online, try to personalise the learning experience and engage with the students on personal level as often as you can. Studying online can be lonely, so try to show your students you care.
4. More technology does not equal more learning: Yes, technology is great, but too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Be intentional with the websites and applications you prescribe to your students and use in your classes. If they don’t understand the tools, or these tools are too hard to use, your students will disengage.
5. Combine old school and new school approaches: There is nothing wrong with using pens and paper in the digital learning space. Have students write their notes on a sheet of paper instead of typing them onto a screen. Have students use actual textbooks instead of onscreen files. The research supporting writing something by hand (and drawing) over typing is pretty clear - the pen is mightier than the keyboard.
6. Give very clear instructions: When you teach online, your instructions need to be clear. You also need to check for comprehension. Prompt your students to react if you are teaching with Zoom (or another web conferencing tool) by nodding, shaking their head, using an emoticon, or by coming off mute to ask questions/respond. If you do not guide your students as to how they should respond, then don’t be shocked if you don’t get any response whatsoever.
7. Stick to research-supported approaches to learning: When you teach online, you must remember to use research-supported teaching approaches. New technologies bring new ways to engage with learning, but they have not changed the way our brains process and develop knowledge. (For more information, check out this page on how people learn.)
Note: There are several "professors" and "educators" online just listing websites or applications for learning, but they give no advice on how to employ these tools effectively. Be wary of such shallow information - as the technology itself is somewhat unimportant, the key thing is how you use the technology.
Please use the following APA citation style to reference my writing and lectures
Wedlock, J. S. (2021). Teaching Online: 7 Things to Keep in Mind. JoshESL. https://www.joshesl.com/teaching-online.html
1. Know your technology: Take the time to understand all of the functions and potential uses your chosen technology provides. Also remember, each learner will have different abilities with using technology - so make sure you help them adjust. Finally, understand the limitations of technology. For example, if a student lacks bandwidth, or you lack bandwidth, certain websites or online activities may not be possible..
1a. Experience being an online learner: Experience being an online learner will help you understand the online learner's perspective a little better.
2. Turn up your energy and decrease distractions: When you are teaching online, you must dial up your energy to more effectively engage your learners. At the same time, you must limit distractions for your learners – and this means having learners close unused browsers, put away their phones, and refrain from using the chat features of any online learning tools during dedicated teaching sections or spoken discussions. When students split their attention between too many devices, applications, or inputs, then digital distraction occurs.
3. Manage distance and structure (personal connection and distance created by technology): When you teach online, try to personalise the learning experience and engage with the students on personal level as often as you can. Studying online can be lonely, so try to show your students you care.
4. More technology does not equal more learning: Yes, technology is great, but too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Be intentional with the websites and applications you prescribe to your students and use in your classes. If they don’t understand the tools, or these tools are too hard to use, your students will disengage.
5. Combine old school and new school approaches: There is nothing wrong with using pens and paper in the digital learning space. Have students write their notes on a sheet of paper instead of typing them onto a screen. Have students use actual textbooks instead of onscreen files. The research supporting writing something by hand (and drawing) over typing is pretty clear - the pen is mightier than the keyboard.
6. Give very clear instructions: When you teach online, your instructions need to be clear. You also need to check for comprehension. Prompt your students to react if you are teaching with Zoom (or another web conferencing tool) by nodding, shaking their head, using an emoticon, or by coming off mute to ask questions/respond. If you do not guide your students as to how they should respond, then don’t be shocked if you don’t get any response whatsoever.
7. Stick to research-supported approaches to learning: When you teach online, you must remember to use research-supported teaching approaches. New technologies bring new ways to engage with learning, but they have not changed the way our brains process and develop knowledge. (For more information, check out this page on how people learn.)
Note: There are several "professors" and "educators" online just listing websites or applications for learning, but they give no advice on how to employ these tools effectively. Be wary of such shallow information - as the technology itself is somewhat unimportant, the key thing is how you use the technology.
Please use the following APA citation style to reference my writing and lectures
Wedlock, J. S. (2021). Teaching Online: 7 Things to Keep in Mind. JoshESL. https://www.joshesl.com/teaching-online.html
Conclusion
As we all know, technology is an essential component of today’s educational landscape. However, it is the way technology is utilised that matters, not how much technology we use. All the technology in the world won’t lead to visible learning if these technologies are not used correctly. In saying that, take the time to experiment with the most effective ways you can use various online resources to help your students achieve great results.
Finally, as good as technology is for facilitating learning, knowing when to turn technology off is also something educators and parents need to consider. With that said, take the time to educate your learners on the importance of having screen-free time.
I hope this talk and the notes above have provided you with at least one or two things that can help you help your students more effectively.
As we all know, technology is an essential component of today’s educational landscape. However, it is the way technology is utilised that matters, not how much technology we use. All the technology in the world won’t lead to visible learning if these technologies are not used correctly. In saying that, take the time to experiment with the most effective ways you can use various online resources to help your students achieve great results.
Finally, as good as technology is for facilitating learning, knowing when to turn technology off is also something educators and parents need to consider. With that said, take the time to educate your learners on the importance of having screen-free time.
I hope this talk and the notes above have provided you with at least one or two things that can help you help your students more effectively.
References
Choi, L., & Chung, S. (2021). Navigating online language teaching in uncertain times: Challenges and strategies of EFL educators in creating a sustainable technology-mediated language learning environment. Sustainability, 13(14), 7664.
Martin, F., Ritzhaupt, A., Kumar, S., & Budhrani, K. (2019). Award-winning faculty online teaching practices: Course design, assessment and evaluation, and facilitation. The Internet and Higher Education, 42, 34-43.
Choi, L., & Chung, S. (2021). Navigating online language teaching in uncertain times: Challenges and strategies of EFL educators in creating a sustainable technology-mediated language learning environment. Sustainability, 13(14), 7664.
Martin, F., Ritzhaupt, A., Kumar, S., & Budhrani, K. (2019). Award-winning faculty online teaching practices: Course design, assessment and evaluation, and facilitation. The Internet and Higher Education, 42, 34-43.