While the teacher-student dynamic has existed for several centuries, the process and techniques involved constantly evolve. These advancements are crucial since education and academia must remain head-to-head with everything changing.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of online education even more, this transition was already in the works for a long time. One of the most recent examples is how schooling and teaching have become more remote, and online classes are gaining incredible popularity.
Unsurprisingly, this change came with its fair share of challenges and opportunities. For example, a primary focus of teaching strategies shifted from “what” you teach your students to “how” you teach it.
Now with things slowly returning to the “new normal,” many schools are resuming their physical, in-person teaching classes. For those educators who took this time to gain an online education degree, this transition into a physical classroom may seem daunting.
Fortunately, this changeover isn’t as unnerving as you may think. With these six tips to guide you, it won’t be long before you can empower your students and help instill in them valuable learning elements.
1. Gain teaching experience
When learning something new, theoretical and practical knowledge go hand-in-hand. You can’t have one without the other. And so when you’re looking to enroll for online degrees in education, you must also gain relevant experience.
Start by gaining some teaching experience, even if only in a volunteer capacity. Offer to teach a class at a community center or volunteer at a local school or after-school program. This will give you some valuable experience and help you build your confidence.
Since online programs allow you to pick a schedule that best fits you, you can easily seek part-time teaching jobs during the rest of the day. Good work experience is also helpful when seeking employment after graduation.
2. Create an all-inclusive classroom
An essential benefit of gaining an online education degree is that your learning experience allows you to interact with class fellows worldwide. While your classroom may have been virtual, discussions with peers or group projects with fellow mates teach you more than just the lesson on hand.
For instance, an online classroom debate allows individuals from various ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds to voice their opinions. Listening to what they have to say creates tolerance among you and makes you more aware of other people’s lives beyond your own. This experience can be beneficial in creating an all-inclusive classroom where you promote love, understanding, support, and care among students regardless of where they come from.
Your students will learn the same behavior from you and help build an environment that encourages learning for all and is free of prejudice or stereotyping.
3. Network with other teachers
Besides work experience, networking with people from similar professions provides an incredibly valuable perspective. Reach out to other teachers in your school or attend conferences and workshops focusing on enhancing your skills. Here, you can meet professionals who’ve been in the field for several years and can offer you invaluable tips and strategies.
There are also plenty of professional organizations where you can regularly connect with teachers, principals, coordinators, and other essential members of academia. Build a long-lasting relationship with these individuals, or ask someone to mentor you to better connect with your students in the classroom.
4. Observe other teachers
You can also contact other teachers inside or outside your school to observe their classrooms and teaching styles. However, while observing a teacher, you must remain quiet throughout the session. Note down your questions or concerns and address them later after the class. While no two teachers have the same manner of delivering a lesson, it may give you a few pointers on how to get started.
In contrast, you can also ask an experienced teacher to observe your class and provide feedback on improving teaching styles and ways to interact with students. Many professors are happy to share their knowledge and would feel honored if you ask for their help.
5. Practice your delivery
Speaking up in an online class and delivering a lesson in a physical classroom are vastly different experiences. Therefore, if you’re worried about facing a room full of students and smoothly giving a lecture to them, it might help first to practice your delivery.
Stand in front of a mirror, observe your body language, and speak as if you’re addressing your students. You can also record yourself while practicing and review the video to see where your confidence is lacking.
If you plan on using visual aids during the lesson, like presentations, flashcards, or charts—make sure you practice with them too. Use a timer to understand how long each delivery takes and whether it fits your timeframe. Additionally, you can ask a family member or friend to act as a student while you deliver your lesson. This strategy gives you a sense of what it will be like when you address your classroom.
Practicing your delivery in the initial teaching stages helps you feel confident and well-prepared for your students. Once you get the hang of it, there won’t be a need for a rehearsal anymore.
6. Plan your lesson
Teaching can be as fun as it can be chaotic. Therefore, you must plan your lessons ahead of time to ensure they remain engaging for the students.
To do this effectively, start by first identifying the learning objectives for your classroom; what do you hope your students accomplish by the end of the lesson? Next, determine a teaching method to help students understand the given material. Will a lecture suffice? Or should you plan a group activity or a class discussion instead?
You must also gather and select materials and resources for the lesson, such as textbooks, handouts, or worksheets. If you want to engage students in a creative activity, make sure all the relevant supplies are available so the lesson can go smoothly without any hindrances. When planning your class, you should also anticipate any challenges during the course. Figure out how to address them beforehand to encounter minimum distractions while teaching.
Conclusion
If you enrolled in an online education degree, transitioning from studying in a virtual classroom setting to in-person teaching may seem challenging. However, it’s still not impossible. While remote and in-person learning has pros and cons, it’ll be your job to balance them.
Use the knowledge you gained from your degree and strategize ways to engage students during your in-person teaching lessons. Since online programs use several online tools, you can use these to your advantage and integrate them into your assignments. Gain regular student feedback and update teaching strategies accordingly for a successful transition into an in-person teaching environment.