Do you want to know how to build a better virtual classroom? It can be difficult to engage with students on virtual calls when we are accustomed to in person learning. Teachers are still adjusting to online features, while students are not engaged in the classroom. There is hope as here are a few ways that teachers can create a strong digital environment.
Constantly engage with your students during virtual classes. Set office hours for students who are struggling to learn the material. This way, students can visit the teacher at these times and know that the teacher is there to support them.
Have students read texts aloud to encourage them to participate and pay attention. Teachers can build off of this and have students write their own summaries and present it to other students in the class.
Give them responsibility! In elementary schools, teachers would usually have jobs for the students. Teachers can do the same thing with virtual learning by having students do different tasks. For example, have a student in charge of vocabulary, or have a student who finds inspirational quotes to say every time they meet for that week. For middle and high school students, teachers could incorporate a live journal for the students to have their thoughts about the material for everyone to read to let them have a voice.
The virtual classes provide amazing opportunities to use online resources to help the students study. Teachers can use Kahoot or Quizlet Live to engage with students and use these opportunities along with an incentive to encourage students to participate. Students can have blog posts assigned to them to have the teacher learn about the students.
Teachers should have students give their input on ways that they can stay in touch with one another. Teachers can create a student page by using Microsoft forms or Google forms to get student feedback on recognition for fellow classmates. Students would be able to feel proud about their accomplishments as it would be awarded for their time and effort. Make it a part of the class announcements with the information on class materials and extracurricular activities
Teachers are not the only ones who are stressed! Teachers can have meditations, or built in periods of peace in their class time, to allow students time to relax. This would let students reduce their stress and know that their teachers are in the same boat, too. Incorporate a set time for counseling for students to check in on them and see how they are feeling. Students would respond to this with their feelings, especially the subject material. After time, you will make them feel a little at ease.
Written by Lee Metoyer
Edited by Emily Hyser
