Where to get help – and resources – for online teaching

Where to get help – and resources – for online teaching

At this stage you don’t need to be told that changing from a classroom teacher to an online teacher is a huge adjustment.

It is very likely that most teachers will be in agreement that they enjoy classroom teaching far more than online teaching.

Take into consideration though that having built up experience as an online teacher means you have effectively advanced your career and added to your skills.

The process of online teaching becomes easier if you know where to find additional help and resources.

  1. Methods of online teaching and learning
    Google the following (and similar) phrases: methods of online teaching and learning, introduction to online teaching and learning, and instructional strategies for online courses.
    There are many helpful suggestions on various educational websites and online learning programs. Although some of the suggestions might not apply to you or your subject, it may act as a trigger of how you could adapt them to suit your purposes.
  2. Massive Open Online Courses
    Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are free, albeit time-consuming, online courses which extend the learning of lecturers, teachers, students and learners.
    Get an idea of what is available generally on: www.teachthought.com/archived/list-75-moocs-teachers-students/
    and thereafter conduct your own search to find courses that could assist you with the curriculum you are teaching.
  3. Open Educational Resources
    Open Educational Resources (OERs) are materials for teaching (or learning) that are either in the public domain or it has been released under a license that allows them to be used for free. Not only can they be used for free, but this also means that you can change some of the content to suit you and your learners and you are allowed to share the content.
    OERs include lectures, teaching materials (text, images, audio and video) and additional resources as well as MOOCs.
  4. YOU should use YouTube as a teaching aid
    YouTube is used for a myriad of reasons but this channel is often forgotten as an effective teaching aid.
    YouTube offers a selection of high quality educational videos for free.
    Videos specifically created for educational purposes can also be found on: www.youtube.com/education
  5. Find an experienced online teaching mentor and join hands with colleagues
    Teaching styles, both in the classroom and online, differ.
    Search until you find an online teacher whose teaching style is close enough to yours. Watch the same teaching videos a few times to learn from your online teaching mentor. Adopt their successful teaching strategies in your own online lessons when and where effective.
    Currently all teachers are in the same boat. Learn from your colleagues, don’t be too shy or afraid to ask for help or suggestions, learn from the way different colleagues approach different online teaching issues and offer your own ideas so that it could benefit others.