Faced with the closure of classrooms that COVID-19 has caused in practically the whole world, teachers, students and parents alike have had to step up and face a type of teaching that was yet to come and improve: teaching and learning online . Thanks to technology it has been possible for classes to continue (although not for all children and all realities, unfortunately) and this has made it clear that we were not prepared for it.
That is why it is very important to know where to find the right resources and how to manage them. We do not know for sure how long this situation will last until the pandemic is completely under control. But, while that does not happen and we must maintain safe distances, it is very likely that online teaching will continue to be necessary in one way or another, so this may be an ideal time to perfect the best way of teaching distance learning possible way.
Ideas for cooperative learning at home
- Use everyday resources
Use your usual resources, such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram. Both WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram are common platforms for most teachers, parents and students, so it can be a good channel to communicate. Through these platforms you can create and send videos in which to offer instructions on a task or investigation . You can even explain key subjects such as mathematics, for example, since you can easily record your classes through a mobile phone and send it to your students, for example, through a WhatsApp group.
- Search teacher blogs
Many teachers (especially computer science and technology) already had websites that have been fed for years with their knowledge and experiences. Some of these blogs are specialized in areas such as geography or mathematics , others are organized by school age (children between 6 and 8 years old), etc. Other teachers, even if they do not have blogs, know of other educational blogs that they recommend and that can be very useful at this time. Undoubtedly, no one better than the teachers themselves to evaluate these blogs and recommend them to their students and parents. There are a large number of blogs and educational pages that you can visit, so as a teacher do not hesitate to dive online to find the best resources.
- Implement YouTube channels of teachers
If there is a social network that at this moment is helping students a lot, it is YouTube , and it is that this platform presents tutorials on different subjects created specifically for children : mathematics, English, physics and many more. Probably the most practical subjects are those that have gained more ground in this network, such as science , for example, since there are many subjects in this sense with very good tutorials.
- Meet Google at home
Google from the beginning has been active towards online teaching and teachers, and is that many companies have known how to handle technology and use it in remote work, which has served to have much of the work done at a time like this . This is the case of Google, as we said, which has started to work to help teachers and educational systems around the world at this time through the initiative “Grow with Google at Home”, where there is a special section so that teachers can teach at a distance.
- Take live or recorded videos
If there is someone who is not used to online teaching, it is children, but we can take advantage of their interest in technology to break this barrier. Start by doing simple things. If you see that your students are not prepared to follow live videos, record them comfortably at home and send them by any means already discussed. Of course, it is very important that students can continue to connect with you and see you , so make sure that you are seen directly in the videos when important explanations have to be given. Research has shown that videos showing the faces of instructors are more effective than simple slideshows or narrated videos.
- Always acknowledge good work
Children need to be motivated, and that we are at a distance does not mean that they stop needing it. Acknowledge the good answers publicly (either in that WhatsApp group or in new videos you record, by email, etc.) and publicly thank the students in the threads for all the effort they make and their good exercises and comments. This will serve both to model the types of responses you expect from students and to give them positive reinforcement.
- Create permanent grades
Qualify as you progress and don’t wait for the end of the course. For example, when reading a student’s response, make sure they can receive their grade immediately , for example via email. This type of reinforcement will create a certain security in the online environment in the students, making them lose their fear of this type of learning and they can feel as comfortable as they can in their day to day in class.
- Repeat as many times as necessary
Students do not like frequent changes in their learning style, so they will need you to always be on the lookout for any questions. Create an online tutoring schedule for it, repeat the activities as many times as necessary … Find the teaching style that best suits you and your students but do not stop paying attention to everything they need.
Online teaching does not have to be a lower quality teaching, in fact it was already used in some stages of study, such as in the university, the only thing that happens is that there was still much to do in this field, something that has had to start to look hasty. Preparing ourselves for what a new world can be like can make a difference at an educational and social level.
Much remains to be done and everyone’s help is needed!
