Why Online teaching can be GREAT!

 

It is clear that online learning can be extremely beneficial for students. Online learning provides the learner the chance to self-pace and interact with the teacher in a one on one platform. It also provides the student a chance to interact with other students in a non-threatening environment when digital citizenship rules are followed. While students are expected to be self-motivated and disciplined, this always isn't the case. Therefore, online learning teaches these skills which then cross over into the work environment. It's a two-for-one deal!

It is important to note that students who elect to take online courses are different from student who do not elect to do so. This poses a problem for teachers now while trying to engage learners during the pandemic when most schools are learning in a virtual platform. Students who are new to online learning do not always have the parental support needed to stay focused and disciplined. In these cases, a mentor who works along with a teacher can help. Many learning platforms such as Blackboard Collaborate Ultra provide the ability for mentors to take students out of the main room and help them one- on- one. Students who need remediation and accommodations can be helped without holding back the other students who are maybe a bit more tech savvy and have outside resources to help them succeed.

For teachers who are finding it hard to accept that online learning can be awesome, this would be a good video to view.  While most teachers did not go into their profession to be an online teacher, this is where most of us are right now. I believe it is important to demonstrate the resilience we so often try to teach to our students.