Teach English in Longquan Zhen - Changzhi Shi

There are three techniques essential to teaching a successful online class. Teachers must maintain a high level of student engagement to keep student's interested and enthusiastic. Teachers must use a variety of props which will add a fun, interesting, and new dimension to online learning. Teachers must have a rewards system in place that encourages students who participate well. Teachers need to remember that young online students are often taking your class after a long day at school. Therefore, getting students engaged can be quite the challenge. There are some things a teacher can do to capture the students attention and get them using their English skills. For example, it is important to vary your tone of voice when doing repetition of sounds. Younger students respond better when you ask them to mimic you; whether you are speaking louder, softer, or in an exaggerated or funny manner. After spending a day in a controlled classroom environment, younger students like to "let loose" and be silly. Using a variety of voices can help them relax and engage in the online lesson. If you have students who are reluctant to start the lesson, you can ask them questions about their favorite things, such as "What is your favorite animal?" "What is your favorite color?" etc., Younger learners will enjoy doing show and tell at the beginning of a lesson. They might share their favorite toy or a picture they drew in school. These types of activities can build a rapport between teacher and student. Students who are new to the online program oftentimes don't know how to use the online tools such as drag and drop, drawing lines, erasing lines, and clicking prompts. Teachers need to show students how to use these tools to help the student maximize their enjoyment and participation in the online learning environment. The online classroom tools should be shared by both student and teacher. Teachers need to employ a number of props and/or visual aides during an online class. Props can help engage the younger student. Younger students enjoy puppets and stuffed animals. Puppets can help teachers model role playing. For example, you can model introduction with a puppet. "My name is Teacher Karen. What is your name?" The puppet can respond, "My name is dog." and then the puppet can ask the child, "What is your name?" Smaller children feel less threatened by a puppet and often respond almost immediately. Props can be used to keep students attention. Silly hats, noise-makers, mixed with TPR (Total Physical Response) can raise the energy of an online class. Students like to laugh. Teachers can use self-deprecation as an attention getter. Whiteboards can add a new dimension to an online classroom. Magnetic whiteboards can allow a teacher to attach different visual aids such as pictures, letters, numbers, and play a variety of different language games with the students. Students are inundated with electronic material 24/7 and are often looking to be engaged in a new and different manner. Teachers need to remember that students want to be recognized for good participation and good behavior in the online classroom. Oftentimes, the online classroom has a built-in reward system. A good online teacher will have secondary reward systems. There are a variety of creative and interactive secondary rewards systems. One of my favorites for small children is Mr. Potato Head. As the lesson progresses, you want to reward the student for good participation. At different points, allow the student to choose what they'd like to add to Mr. Potato Head. Eyes? Mouth? Ears? Children will enjoy seeing the progression and this will encourage them to continue doing a good job. Older students like to play tic-tac-toe. Teachers can use this method to play the game and build rapport with their student. Each time the student chooses a place for their X or O, they have to answer a simple free talk question. For example, "What is your favorite ice cream?" The teacher must answer the same question and place their X or O. Some students don't need the games or the props, they respond to TPR such as clapping, thumbs up, and virtual high-fives. Positive encouragement can build student's self-esteem and will help guarantee that they'll attend your online class again. All three of the techniques are great ways to make online learning enjoyable for both the student and the teacher. Every teacher is unique and needs to find techniques they feel comfortable using in the classroom. Student engagement in the online environment is the biggest challenge for an online teacher. These techniques will ensure that an online teacher and their students have an enjoyable learning experience.