Educating online: insights and advice

Today’s special episode of ELTtime addresses the global COVID-19 pandemic. The virus is causing unprecedented levels of disruption to education – schools are closed, students are unable to attend lessons in person, international students can’t travel overseas, and institutions are forced to reschedule courses and exams. As a result, now more than ever before, English language teachers around the world are finding themselves with an urgent need to become effective online educators. In today’s episode, Garnet’s Digital Manager Matthew George talks to experienced English language Teacher/Teacher Trainer, Julietta Schoenmann. Julietta talks over the nuts and bolts of how to get going as an online teacher, and then offers a wide range of insights into how to manage online classes, how to make the most of the tools and resources at your disposal and how to maintain student motivation. Let us know if you enjoyed the episode. Get in touch with any suggestions or questions – you can find us at @garneteducation everywhere! LINKSHands Up charity project Online platforms: Zoom, Adobe connect, Blackboard Collaborate Padlet: online collaboration tool Vialogues: dynamic video discussions Flipgrid: video discussions and respsonses Eaquals Webinars: Teaching live online using Zoom CHAPTERS0:20 – Intro 1:17 – Julietta’s background in online teaching 2:20 – The Hands Up Project 3:18 – Online platforms: Zoom 5:20 – Zoom features – breakout rooms, screen sharing, polls 7:22 – Tips for using online tools for the first time 9:44 – Green screens in Zoom 10:44 – Online tools for teachers (Padlet, Flipgrid, Vialogues) 13:26 – How do teaching styles differ online? 16:33 – Disruptive home environments 18:05 – Online breakout rooms for group work 18:59 – Activity types in the virtual classroom and encouraging student autonomy 23:22 – Motivation and keeping students engaged 26:24 – Online tools can provide more variety in activities (e.g., using Google Street view) 27:29 – Encouragement and praise 27:56 – Pitfalls of online teaching: connectivity issues 29:20 – Orientation to working online and multitasking 32:18 – Boundaries and limits 33:37 –What can institutions and teachers do to ensure a positive outcome from this move online? 36:07 – Outro