What teachers need to be aware of in order to start an online class

The coronavirus is now forcing teachers around the world to make the transition to online classes.Most teachers are not computer experts, so they don’t have the perspective on what to do. If you’re looking to adopt online classes, I’d like to suggest a few things.

Recording the video or having an interactive class?

You may find it difficult to conduct interactive classes online. It would seem easier to deliver the recorded videos. You need a specific platform to deliver the recorded video.The most common platform is Youtube, but you’ll see ads. Another way is to use vimeo if you want to limit the individuals who can see the videos. However, these methods do not give you any control over which video your students have seen. Also, if you’re concerned about your students’ health, it’s not good news that they can watch the video 24/7.

If you want to record videos, you will need software and a modern computer to edit them. Also, the finished video may have a large file size and you may have to buy a new device to store it. It would be nice if your employer could cover those costs for you.

On the other hand, the interactive classes follow a set schedule. One of the most used in this type of class is the zoom. If you use it, you’ll know which students are currently taking the class and you’ll be able to listen to them. Besides, you can record your classes. Recorded 40 minutes of video is at most 50 to 100 megabytes. It has a high compression ratio, so it won’t get in the way when you save the video.

Arguably, interactive lessons are easier for teachers to adopt. I’ve been running classes for a few days now using the zoom. Here’s what I’ve experienced.

Installation and connection

First, you need to have the software installed on the student’s PC, tablet, or smartphone. When searching for applications, the exact name Zoom cloud meetings must be given so that students do not install the wrong software. Modern students are experts in smartphones, so the installation will be finished more quickly than you might expect. Smartphones and tablets have the least trouble because they have a camera and a microphone from the beginning. The desktop PC requires a USB camera and headset, but the student likely does not have such devices; in order to use USB-connected devices, they must be specified in the zoom, and the student may fail to do so. I instructed my students to install ZOOM on their smartphones first and then on their tablets and PCs. Since smartphones have smaller screens, students prefer the larger screens on PCs. However, in my experience, students are less likely to fail on a smartphone, so it’s important to have access to your smartphone at all times, considering they can’t use a PC.

Conduct a connection test

You should do a connection test with your students before your first online class. The most common trouble is that some students fail to connect and can’t hear you. I went to the home of one of my students and worked out the problem. The condition of the line varies greatly from student to student.One of my students didn’t have a broadband connection, so he signed up for a Wi-Fi router. About 10 percent of all students got into some kind of trouble, but fortunately they were able to resolve those quickly.

ID and password notification

In order to participate in ZOOM classes, you will need an ID and password indicating your meeting room, and while ZOOM does not necessarily require a password, you should use a password to prevent non-student intrusion. I handed out the materials for the online classes and a timetable with IDs and passwords to the students. At first, I was unsure if my children would understand the term identity and password, but I soon realized that I was outdated. Most of them are familiar with Youtube and social network services. Online classes are not new to them.

Beginning a class

When you start a meeting in ZOOM, one student after another comes into the room. However, there are people whose names are listed as iphone. Ask your students to enter their own names. And ask them to mute the microphone except when they are speaking. If not muted, a deafening howl will occur.

I teach classes with a cheap headset and a laptop camera. The microphone in the headset is not very good quality, so I try to speak slowly. At the beginning of class, I share my knowledge of the coronavirus and ask the students about their concerns. Many of our students have a strong desire to go to school, even if some of them don’t like studying. It is important to listen to them and empathize with them.

Class Progression

I’ve scanned the material and saved it to a PDF, and ZOOM can share the screen with them. I write the information directly into the PDF while showing the material to the students. The shared screen also allows students to write on the screen so that all students can see it.I ask my students questions and ask them to write their responses on the screen. There is also a chat feature, but students are not used to using the keyboard. In the case of smartphones and tablets, students can use their fingers to write on the screen. Have students write on the screen with colorful pens to keep their attention. You can also share music players so that your students can listen to music. You can also share your browser screen to read the article with your students. However, remember to take copyright into account.

End of class

Finally, let’s ask the students what they think. A student using a smartphone might say that the text was too small to see. You need to improve your teaching based on the students’ opinions.

Technical problems

When you use wi-fi, the connection may be unstable at times. When you are disconnected, it appears to your students that you are at a standstill. You should use LAN cables as much as possible.
Unfortunately, it’s often the case that students can’t hear you or the screen goes black. Instruct students to leave and come back in if they have a connection problem. This is a way to solve many of the connection problems.

When students’ PCs and broadband are unreliable, they are forced to leave the classroom several times during the day. In fact, about 10 percent of students leave and re-enter the classroom more than once. Therefore, it is important to take your time in class.Also, ask the students who were disconnected if there was anything they didn’t understand.