Is Online Teaching Viable?
The coronavirus has caused schools across the world to close down for the time being but is online teaching a viable option? The demand for extra learning is more than ever. Parents need an alternative and accessible method for their child to learn during the closures.
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Are Online Lessons Viable for Students?
Online lessons are highly accessible. It is quite easy to set up a lesson with a teacher and instantly connect to them. Even though it is relatively efficient to get an online lesson, is it viable?
Online lessons can never replace the traditional classroom. A place for learning is the traditional classroom. Every single aspect of the classroom, from the walls to the structure of the class are designed to facilitate the students learning. Online lessons cannot replicate this, it is virtually impossible. The length of a screen is limiting the student’s vision. Thus making it challenging to fully grasp the attention of the student.
Depending on the quality of the service. What the human eye and ear can receive in terms of information can never be replicated. There are a number of factors that contribute to the quality of an online lesson. Both the teacher and the students end require a certain understanding standard of hardware and software to conduct lessons efficiently.
- Microphone quality
- Camera quality
- Internet connection speeds
- Computer-literate
The students can learn effectively through online learning even though the limitations. With the right kind of service and commitment to the lesson, it can be just as effective as a physical lesson. However I do not recommend using online platforms for young learners as they simply don’t have the attention span for it.
Are Online Lessons Viable for Teachers?
Online teaching is not for all. It is advertised to teachers making some extra money on the side in your own free time. Flexible schedule with no commitment needed. Though is it viable for teachers?
In the short term, yes it is. Teachers can make decent money from online platforms and it is a great way to broaden your student geographic. Long term, I don’t see how it can be a full time job placement.
Online teaching is very limiting. Presenting and executing the lesson is tough for teachers. Communication is not as effective and it can affect the student’s learning massively. What I found is that preparation is not as easy. In the classroom you can present the materials on various different platforms in a view that is accessible by all students. To be present materials online is different. It needs to be electronically available and be easily viewed by the student. These two criteria needs the teacher to be quite competent with IT.
Motivation was a major problem for myself when I taught online. The restrictions didn’t make it as fulfilling and it frustrated me. Taking control of the situation is harder online and you must rely on the cooperation levels of the student. Making materials that was easily presentable was another issue. It just wasn’t applicable to me.
What Online Platforms Are There?
ZOOM is a platform that is being used by schools and private tutors. For more information on ZOOM please check out my article regarding it.
For companies that employ English Teachers I recommend using VIPKid. I haven’t used them personally but I have heard many great things about them. You must apply as they don’t want just anybody teaching English! It is great to see that they are focusing on the quality and standards of their lessons and teachers.
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