Tips & Tricks for the New virtual Teacher

Many of us recently moved to virtual teaching for the first time. Teaching in a classroom is very different from teaching online. We are used to engaging students in person, but can we still be engaging through a laptop screen? Some of the ideas I will share to accomplish this come from my 15 years teaching experience in the classroom and the online platform, VipKid.
​(Click here for more information about VipKid- a web based platform for teaching English to Chinese children)

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Here are 2 things you must do to be a successful online teacher.
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​#1: BE PROFESSIONAL
#2: BE ENGAGING

Let's dissect those two tips to understand what I'm talking about...
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#1 - Professionalism

• First, make sure you have scheduled and communicated your meeting information in advance. Your students and parents miss you, so make sure you are ON TIME.
• Next, be presentable. "Dress Up from the Waist Up". It doesn't make a difference if you wear shorts and are barefoot because no one is going to know.  Wear a smile and a nice top and you're good to go. If you work at a school that requires a uniform shirt (like mine), then wear that.
• Then, make sure you're prepared with a pen and notebook or Communication Log. (get FREE log here) Keeping a Communication Log will put your time with the student on record. You can always refer back to it - which is important when tracking student progress. Schedule time between your meetings. This allows you the opportunity to complete the Communication Log. Otherwise, it will be difficult to remember what was covered after having several meetings back to back.
• Also, don't forget about parent presence. You may not be able to see them in your window of vision on the screen, but that doesn't mean they are not watching and listening nearby.  Just as you are inside and outside the classroom, be cognizant of your demeanor, tone, and attitude. Always be respectful.

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#2 - Engagement

• You did this in your classroom and you're going to do the same online. Teachers are award winning Actors and Actresses. Even on our rough days we can go to class and "put on a show" - making sure the learning never stops. Smile!
• Now, set the stage for your performance aka your backdrop. This is important because your backdrop will help connect them to the classroom they're missing. The wall could include learning posters, a calendar, maybe a white board, etc. Students should not be able to tell you're sitting on your bed with a laptop and your feet up. Also, remember to "stay ON stage". You lose their attention when you leave the frame, so make sure everything you are going to use is within reach without you leaving their sight.
•  Next, use props! Your props are the manipulatives you want to use to grab their attention. Some of my favorite props include colored glasses, a pointer, magnetic letters, base ten blocks and puppets.
•  Lastly, keep your audience focused on the performance. In other words, Classroom Management. Yes, you still need to manage their behavior during their lessons online with you. Communicate your online classroom expectations and provide incentives for paying attention. Maybe throughout the lesson they earn stars that you draw on the board or they get to pick a prop they want you to use.  Need an assist? See the Top 3 Tips to use and improve Classroom Management online and offline.

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I hope these tips help make your transition into the virtual teaching world a little easier. To my fellow Educators, thank you for continuing to empower our children. Your dedication is MAGNIFICENT. Happy Teaching!