This is an original blog post from Elite Dash, an scheduling and billing tool designed for teachers. Try their premium services for free through June 30.
Let’s face it, you may not be up-to-date on the latest and greatest technology and you may not have ever given an online lesson in your life, we’re here to tell you, it’s going to be okay. Transitioning to online lessons can be challenging at first, there are a lot of unknowns to overcome, but you’ve got this! With a little willingness to learn, you can empower your teaching abilities and reach your students in ways you’ve never been able to in the past. In this article, we will outline six ways to survive the transition to online lessons.
1. Have a plan and set guidelines
1. Have a plan and set guidelines
This may be a “duh” moment, but a lot of people transitioning to online lessons simply go in blind and without a plan. We encourage you to dig a little deeper into your online lesson planning and treat the transition itself as a first time assessment. Many online tools are available to you, everything from video chats and recordings to online lesson scheduling and online payments. With that being said, find how you want to teach your online lessons and then figure out what technologies are available to help you.
Once you have your plan, set guidelines for your online lessons. Your existing guidelines may need to change and new guidelines may need to be established. Don’t be afraid to set guidelines for your lessons and then adjust them as time goes on. You and your students will be traveling down this new path of online lessons together.
- Plans and guidelines can change and adapt to your online lessons.
- You and your students are on the online lessons path together.
2. Simplify, don’t over complicate
2. Simplify, don’t over complicate
Complexity killed the cat…or was that curiosity? Either way, keep it simple and have a routine. You can only plan for so much, think of your first few online lessons as a test run, find out what works and what doesn’t work. In a few months, you and your students will become more comfortable with the idea of online lessons and online scheduling. Simplifying becomes perfecting. Write down the things you wish you would have known at the start of your transition to online lessons and share them with others that are going through what you have now perfected.
- Create an online lessons routine that benefits you and your students.
- Simplify your online lessons into perfection.
3. Be prepared to learn
3. Be prepared to learn
Never stop learning. Making the transition to online lessons has its own learning curve. You, the teacher, are now a student. Technology can be scary, confusing, and overwhelming. Just remember, you are not alone. Ask for help when you need it. Reach out to your students, family, and friends for help. They will be more than happy to help. Surviving the transition to online lessons is a group effort. Resources are out there to help you overcome the curve, be creative in your learning process and don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone.
- Be open to learning and improving your online lessons.
- Get out of your comfort zone to survive the transition to online lessons.
4. Be patient
4. Be patient
Is there a secret to perfecting online lessons? Yes! You are the secret. Things will go wrong, lessons may not happen as you envisioned or your internet may stop working. How you respond in times of unexpected challenges is what your students will remember most. When challenges arise in your online lessons, take a step back and evaluation the situation. Exercise patience and turn the situation into one of learning and growth for you and your student.
- You are the secret to successful online lessons.
- Your response to challenges and difficulties with your online lessons is key.
5. Utilize technology
5. Utilize technology
Once you’ve created a plan, set guidelines and figured out how you want to teach your online lessons, you are ready to enter the world of technology. Google and YouTube are your friends here, use them to your advantage. There are plenty of “How to” videos and articles for you to watch and read. Too much technology at once can become difficult to manage, remember what was said before and keep it simple. Start off with Skype, video recordings, and online scheduling. Once you are comfortable with these new technologies and software programs, you can explore more.
- Rearouses for your online lessons and online scheduling are out there.
- Keep it simple, start with the basics.
6. Ask for feedback
6. Ask for feedback
Want to accelerate conquering that learning curve we talked about? Ask for feedback and don’t be the person behind the curtain. It’s time to take an online lesson yourself and open up to feedback on how to improve. Your students are your lifeline for feedback, all feedback is good and helps your transition to online lessons easier. Don’t take feedback personally, analyze what the person giving feedback is trying to say and what experiences they are trying to relay. If you are able to do this, your online lessons will become better and better.
- Don’t be afraid of feedback on your online lessons.
- Ask for feedback often to conquering the transition to online lessons.
Conclusion
Transitioning to online lessons is a challenge, there are unknowns, but you can do it! Follow these six ways to survive the transition to online lessons and you will empower your students learning. Adapt your plan and guidelines accordingly, keep things simple, and be patient. Never stop learning, resources can help you overcome the online lessons learning curve. Once you have started your online lessons, ask for feedback and don’t take that feedback personally. Technology is out there to help you, use it wisely. You can survive transitioning to online lessons.
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