Looking for some free online teaching tips to better connect with your students?
Whether you are teaching an online class for the first time or you are a veteran online teacher just looking for effective online teaching strategies, we have some ideas for you. Educators are beyond amazing (seriously!!!), but teaching behind a screen presents new challenges (and new opportunities).
What if you could get your students excited for online learning AND make sure they are actually retaining the info that you teach?
If you are making the switch to teaching in a traditional classroom setting to teaching online, we can provide some tips for how to teach online. If you are just getting started and want to be an online teacher, we recommend signing up with Outschool. Read our post about Outschool here or learn more about various types of online school here.
Major disclaimer: I am NOT an educator- I am in awe of all the teachers out there. What I AM: A mom who has 3 kids who have taken countless online classes. Many of these tips are actual suggestions for teachers improvements from students.
Just by watching the level of engagement in various classes (both short term and semester/ year long), I can provide a few easy tweaks and online teaching tools to make your classes the ones kids choose to enroll in. What makes a good online teacher? These tips!
The best news? It’s not complicated- these are very EASY online teaching strategies for elementary teachers and above to make you super effective.
Online Teaching Tip #1: Play Music
Simply put, music motivates people. What is the environment like when students enter your virtual classroom? Is it quiet?
A little music (maybe related, maybe not to the topic) can bring a smile to learners’ faces and just provide a bit of a pick-me-up. I told you these were simple! This is probably one of the best online teaching tips because it really does change the atmosphere for the teacher AND the learners.
Online Teaching Strategy #2: Make Orientation or Rules via Video
Instead of spending 5 minutes (or for semester classes, one class) going over the ‘rules’ or the syllabus, provide that as pre-work for students to watch on their own. This will save you the time and monotony of going over rules and it will make online classes more enjoyable for students.
Virtual Teaching Tip #3: Lead Stretch Breaks When Teaching Online Classes
Movement is needed for students AND instructors teaching online classes! It’s so important to remember that humans need to MOVE.
Take a 30-second stretch break every 10 minutes- longer if the classes are longer. Kids can do a few jumping jacks. Be creative- if you are teaching a class about animals, they can walk like an animal for a minute. Exercise helps the brain work and is a great online teaching strategy.
Teaching Online Tip #4: Allow for Hands On Activity
Teaching online classes in a lecture format is ineffective. I don’t even need to cite a study- it just is. Provide your students with a coloring page, notes page, printable to label- just something. It helps their concentration and engagement and is another simple tip for how to teach online- I promise.
Online Teaching Strategy #5: Create interactive Games on Kahoot or Escape Rooms, Jeopardy, or Trivia
Give your virtual students something to look forward to. Escape rooms, Jeopardy, using Kahoot or other quiz creation tools can all break up the monotony of learning online. We have examples of interactive classes my kids have loved- these are all online teaching strategies; active learning.
Online Teaching Trick #6: Use Polls
Kids want to know what their peers think and don’t want to learn in a silo. Use the poll function on Zoom to take a regular pulse of how your students are doing- are they comprehending what you are teaching? Mix it up and ask some fun would you rather questions too. If you are wondering how to improve online teaching tips, asking targeted questions is a must do!
Online Teaching Ideas #7: Provide a Suggested Homework Schedule
If you are teaching online classes and having just one or two live sessions per week and assigning homework or projects for the additional days, one quick organizational tip will have parents gushing over your teaching ability. Simply make a suggested homework schedule- include the pages for kids to read each day (not just read XYZ book by the end of the week), what day to complete what worksheet, etc.
What seems intuitive to you is not to learners and parents. Keep it short and simple. Provide suggestions to your parents from experienced teachers.
Effective Online Teaching Strategies #8: Host Help Hours
Provide ‘help’ hours online like you would ‘office’ hours at school.
Require sign-up in advance if needed for your personal schedule.
Easy Virtual Teaching Tip #9: “Show” Where Kids Are
Especially for the one-time or short-term classes with students from around the nation or world, this is a fun activity. Teachers can put up a map at the beginning of the class and as students introduce where they are from, the state or country can be pointed out.
What a fun quick geography lesson!
How to Teach Online Tip #10: Allow “Show and Tell”
We know you are trying to teach as much as possible in your Zoom session, but kids will be much more engaged if they get to show and tell a bit. Assign different students different days and be creative about what you ask them to share- this could be a pet, a favorite book, a picture, an art project, etc. My kids’ favorite classes are the ones where they get to know their peers.
Online Teaching Tip #11: Provide Prizes (Mail or Virtually)
Teachers often provide rewards in the classroom- what about the virtual classroom? For one of my daughter’s high school semester classes, she actually received a reward in the mail with a handwritten note. I am sure that is something she will save! Virtual prizes are great too.
How to be an Effective Online Teacher Tip #12: Keep Cameras On for Accountability and Connection
This is a simple recommendation- in general, have your camera on and require it of your students when feasible. Kids may complain (and parents may too)- BUT it is truly better for students to have accountability.
Virtual Class Tip #13: Be On-Time Grading When Teaching Online Classes
Just because you aren’t onsite at school doesn’t mean kids are not waiting for their grades. Make sure you provide timely grading with feedback. My elementary student loves receiving feedback via video from her teacher- she thinks it’s the coolest thing ever!
Tips for Teaching Virtually #14: Be Positive
Enough said- your attitude will spread to your learners. Technology headaches or frustrations- let them go and make humor out of them when possible. Audiobooks and educational videos to the rescue when you need a hand.
Online Teaching Tip 15: Get Help
If you are like me, your students have a better handle on new technology and how to use various features. This is the chance to let them shine- ask for help. Reach out and ask for volunteers in a unique way- you will be surprised with the level of engagement and excitement when your learners can support you.
Want some additional recommendations for your students to amplify their learning? Check out our recommendations for organizational success and also supplementing distance learning.
Top 10 Super Simple Organizational Tips to Prep for Online School and Distance Learning
8 Ways Outschool Can Help Supplement Distance Learning or Homeschooling
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