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Before Class
Manage a Weekly Schedule
To maintain a smooth course period, you can plan your whole week, even your whole month, about your courses, whether you are a school teacher or a corporate trainer.
For example, you can send a survey to your students to learn the most available date for the course. You could also host a game night! This will help students survive online classes and have a more enjoyable time with their classmates.
Stay Connected
Another tip for successful online learning is to stay connected with your students. Don’t wait until class time for communication.
Send them reminders about the course, ask them how they are, and make a joke about what is discussed during the class. This way, they can relate themselves to the class and you.
Different Learning Methods and Tools
Another tip for successful online learning is to be creative, so students always wonder what's next in their class. Be extraordinary and use different learning methods and tools.
You can record yourself while explaining something. Students will be more interested in watching you than other people they don't know.
Use different types of media to offer diversity. You can offer them note-taking applications, shared workspaces, etc. This way, students don't get bored and can survive online classes.
During the Class
Be Devoted
You are there for students' improvement. So, do not only give a lesson but also make sure to listen to them and answer all of their questions, even if they are not related to the main topic of the lecture. They want to be listened to and feel valued. They will be more willing to participate in your classes when they think you will be there for them.
If you devote yourself to the learning process, they will also do the same.
Train yourself
Since you will address many people about a topic they are unfamiliar with, you should have excellent verbal skills. You can enroll in public speaking classes. You can practice to improve enough to speak in public smoothly.
You can try this with your family, friends, and public speaking classmates. Learn to use your voice and language, and people will listen to you without getting distracted.
Besides speaking skills, you also need to learn how to make presentations. Since there are lots of distracting items during online classes, it can be very challenging to concentrate. So, you can keep the presentation simple and short and focus more on involving the students in the course. To learn how to do this, you can get courses on presentation tips as well.
Become a unique trainer
Bring your own material to the class, such as personalized presentations (not the long and boring ones!), instructive videos (you can record yourself too!), interesting stories related to the lesson, interactive activities (we will come to that part later) and so on.
Always be transparent
Tell them about your feelings, your motivations, your life goals, and even your mistakes! This way, they can empathize with you and see that you are human too! If they realize this, they can be more comfortable speaking in class.
Make connections with your students
You can use the first 10 minutes to talk with your students about their lives and your own. Plus, you can make a little routine for your lessons.
For example, besides chatting, you can ask ice-breaker questions at the beginning, such as 'If you could do everything for one day, what would you do?' This might help them think and get ready for the lesson quickly.
Interactive Learning Sessions
If you only talk about the lesson and do not involve the students in the learning process, eventually, they will stop listening. You should ask questions and create simple tasks during the class.
For example,
- Use their names when discussing cases. 'John has two apples, and Mary has three apples. How many apples are there for John and Mary?' John and Mary will probably answer that.
- Create a debate club if you have two opposing opinions. This helps students socialize with their classmates and learn how to express themselves. Also, it can boost students' motivation and self-confidence when they become a part of a group and have a voice.
Become a mentor, not a boss
Even though you are a particular character in the class, you don't have to be bossy to your students. It only distracts them, and they probably won't even come to your style next time. No need to fear them; you are here to support their learning process.
Here are some tips to be a mentor to them:
- Make them feel you are always welcome to answer their questions and help them improve.
- Let them know your working hours. Some students might not be comfortable asking questions in the middle of the class, which will give them a chance to speak with you.
- Organize 1:1 meetings with some of the students who, you think, need extra help with their learning process. Every person wants to be noticed; this is the platform where they can explore their skills and improve themselves in every way.
- Besides the main course, you can offer them practical applications such as how to write a cover letter, create a CV or a CV website, and so on! This helps students know what to do for their future careers and be one step ahead of their competitors.
After Class
Ask for their opinions and their feedback
An essential tip for successful online learning is giving your students the chance to express their feelings and opinions.
You can make polls after the class asking
- How was the lesson today?
- How can I improve the learning process?
- Do you have any advice to make the learning process better?
You can make sure every student is involved in the feedback process. If you see some students who haven't answered the polls, contact them and ask personally. They feel valued, and you'll see their names in the following survey.
You can also brainstorm about the teaching and learning process during the class. If you create a platform for your students to discuss the lesson and the learning process, they can find excellent tips and ideas for successful learning.
When there is a decisive phase in the learning process, involve your students in this phase. They will be more confident and comfortable if they have the right to choose the most effective way to improve their learning process.
Whether you are a trainer or a student, online learning is not an easy process. But, as a trainer, if you use such tips to involve your students in an effective learning process, they will be more likely to listen to you and participate in your class with joy!
