the good thing that the virus has left: my learning

 During the semester we have had to experience one of the most difficult ways of teaching, and personally, now that it has been a couple of months since I started practicing teaching online, I have learned things that I might not have learned from teaching face-to-face. Also, watching other people teach has taught me a lot of other things.

I think that the most relevant thing that I have learned is the importance of contact because in a face-to-face situation I wouldn't give so much importance to the expressions of the students, I don't think I even noticed that during face-to-face classes, but now, seeing their expressions is the only indicator that I have to know if they are understanding or if they like what we are doing, and I appreciate very much being able to see their faces because when I don't see them it is difficult for me to even give instructions.

On the other hand, observing my peers, their activities, their strategies, materials and even the problems they face and how they solve them gives me a better vision of what I want to do each time I have to make a plan, and I think we all learn something from each other and it's like helping each other without even knowing it.

How to organize and plan your class in zoom (when you don't have much experience).

 As we have said before, teaching online is difficult, and it is even more difficult when you are not an experienced teacher. I will speak from my own experience planning and creating materials for zoom classes, which although my steps may not be the most appropriate, is what I have learned in the last few months and what has worked for me.

What I always do, as soon as I know the topic to be taught is to take a few minutes to browse through my list of web pages to create materials, so that I can get ideas for possible materials according to the topic. Once I've done this, I brainstorm how I want to develop the theme, the steps to follow, and all the possible activities I can think of at the time (although I know I won't use them all). After I see what I already have, I refine my ideas according to what might look good in the class, what the students might like, and I begin to put together my plan. 

Sometimes I go over it two or three times and include changing the activities 3 or 4 times, so I can start looking for and creating the materials to use (presentations, games, videos, etc).

I used to visualize the materials first, but then I realized that it didn't work because I didn't know what I was going to do with those materials and it took me longer to adapt them, so I changed my approach. Maybe it won't work for me later, but for now, it's what I've done during the pandemic.

Do this instead of that in your online classroom.

 

References:

Espinosa, R. (2020, April 14). 10 Tips for teaching online and using zoom [Video file]. Youtube. Retrieved October 22, 2020, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLxbvpLHPRc

Solutions to possible zoom problems while teaching.

 

REFERENCES:

Russell Stannard (Teacher Training Videos). (March 29, 2020). Zoom-10 common challenges & their solutions #Zoom #Teachingonline #TeachingWithZoom. [Video file]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JPtzacTACI&t=27s

FUN Zoom Game Ideas

 

REFERENCES:

ItsTrixTV. (May 27,  2020). FUN Zoom Game Ideas for All Ages | Fun Virtual Happy Hour Games for Everyone. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFMHH6VYZVM

ZOOM Icebreakers

 

REFERENCES:

Teacher Kaye. (2020, August 9). First day of class online activities | Zoom Icebreakers. Youtube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiyv_5uDphY

Zoom activities to use with distance learning.

 

References:

Olson, A. (N.D.). Zoom activities to use with distance learning. [online image].Lucky little learners. https://luckylittlelearners.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ZOOM-791x1024.jpg