#distancelearning #esl #onlinelearning #onlineteaching #teacherkit #classroomessentials #schoolsupplies #school #teachers #classroom #lessonplan #printables #covid #onlineeducation #virtuallearning
With Online Learning continuing for the foreseeable future, here are our recommendations for your online teaching kit (5 and 6 are our favorites) :
1.Computer or Laptop
It's imperative to use either a laptop or computer. Using a tablet or a laptop-tablet fusion often fails to offer the full usage of certain software. You will also want a comfortable keyboard while teaching online. Typing on the screen will get tiring very fast.
2.Headset
A headset is better to use than just your computer's microphone and speakers. The headset can cancel outside noises and echoes. Also, if you have audio from your speakers, your microphone will pick up on it and will cause an echo of your words for your students.
3.Visual Props
Teaching from online can feel detached sometimes. A teacher can also feel like they lack a sense of control in the classroom. Here is where props come in. Visual props are a fantastic way to humanize your online classroom and to feel empowered again. Holding a visual prop not only helps you to express something to your student, it also helps bring the attention to you and your screen. Visual props can be a mini blackboard/whiteboard, flash cards, a toy, a book, and more.
4.Lighting
Good lighting is key while video conferencing. If you need extra lighting, a ring light is fantastic. I originally started off with this mini version from E.L.F. and clipped it to my laptop. P.S.- It's only $12, has three brightness settings, and is super easy to transport! This one from Amazon is also around $12 and could be set up on a tripod.
5.Syllabus and Class Calendar
With online learning students often find excuses to slack off. To be fair, for many students, navigating the world of distance learning can be confusing and unorganized. Having a clear syllabus with a "class calendar" helps you and your students. The syllabus shows what is expected from the students in the short term (homework assignments, classwork) but it shows them what the long term goals of the course are too (what the goal of the course is, what they are expected to learn by when). The class calendar can be a way to help students track their progress and assignment due dates. It is easy to let the days go by while in quarantine but the class calendar offers a sense of normalcy and structure. I would include both of these on the first day of class, then each month revisit them and show the students what has (or should have been) checked off by now and what the course is focusing on now.
6.Patience
Patience is important for self care during this time. Computers will freeze, WiFi's will fail, the power might even go out because of a storm, you might have that one student you haven't even met yet halfway through the semester. Patience is key. Internet failures, blackouts, computer glitches, etc; these are not your fault and you cannot control them. It is your responsibility to be a teacher (to the best of your abilities and circumstances)- not a magician.
7.A Smile
A smile is something easily forgotten while trying to operate software programs, answer students questions, take attendance, etc. A teacher's smile is always the best tool they can have, especially in this world of distance learning. A smile can help a student feel a bit less detached in the classroom. Also, our students are facing very unique and trying situations in their personal lives right now, a quarantine, a pandemic, political and social movements- we are all going through a lot. Sometimes a smile is the best way to humanize your virtual class. It could in turn encourage your students to turn on their cameras and ultimately participate more in class. Not to mention, a smile is always infectious :)
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