19.a. Ultimate tips to make your virtual classroom alive

“When it comes to e Learning, content means everything. If e Learning content is not masterfully designed, all the rest will just go down the drain.” - Christopher Pappas

The virtual classroom is the new normal for the education world in these difficult times of the Corona Virus Pandemic. It has hit the entire humanity. News media blares out the frightening statistics of the people affected by the virus and resultant deaths every day. Lockdown, social distancing, face masks, PPE kits, containment zones, and restricted travelling are some of the norms we must learn to live with as an off-shoot of this pandemic for a long time to come. People are waiting with bated breaths for a magical cure to make headway and take the suffering humanity out of its vicious clutches. Unfortunately, it has been found that the children and elderly people are the easiest targets for the Corona Virus. 

However, a very important question arises at this point-How long can we allow the life to remain at a standstill? We need to move ahead to safeguard our economy, jobs, and entire progress of life. We cannot exclude our children from this movement besides ensuring their safety. They are the future of the human race. All would agree that for their progress in life, education is the only route for them to follow.  

How to continue Education?

If schools are allowed to open and classes to continue at this juncture, it would be a drastic step to invite the community spread of this deadly disease. As mentioned above the children are among the most vulnerable to the attack of this virus. In the absence of regular school education, their self-learning or being taught by the parents is not going to be effective in most of the cases. To solve this problem, technology came to our rescue in the shape of the virtual classes. 

Online Teaching

Computers and Mobile phones with Internet connections are present in almost every household. Therefore, providing online education for all the students of a particular class by one teacher has become a reality. A reference may kindly be made to my article 11. Online Education during the Corona Pandemic. 

What is the difference in the learning methodology between Physical and Virtual classrooms?

In a physical classroom, teachers teach and the students follow them. They are in control of the class because of the physical proximity. However, in a Virtual class, it is not so. All the students may not be in a single frame. The teacher remains in the picture but that physical proximity is missing. Therefore,  activity and interaction are very important to keep the students engaged.

Difficulties faced in the online classes

No Human connection

Yes, the teacher and students can see and interact with each other but the online classes are bereft of the human connection. A human connection is important because the teacher can instantly judge whether the student is mentally present in the class or not. This mental presence and students’ responses help the teacher moderate tone and tenor of his or her teaching methodology. This becomes impossible in an online class. Similarly, the student misses the physically connect with his or her peers. 

Motivation levels

According to specialists, there are two types of motivation:

1. Intrinsic- It comes from an inner desire to learn.
2. Extrinsic-This one is grade or marks oriented.

It is easy to gauge and boost both types of motivation levels of the students in a physical class but in an online class, it may be found difficult. Very few students are self-motivated to actually learn in an online class. This may, certainly, affect their academic performance in the long run.

Being at home

During the online classes, the students are present in the comfort zone of their homes. So, they may feel lethargic, disturbed, and distracted to properly comprehend the lesson. Thus, their learning goals may not be accomplished. They may not be punctual also in attending the classes. The pressure of attending the school, academic atmosphere, physical interaction with the peers as well as teachers adds to the learning capabilities of the students.

Technical glitches

Sometimes the internet connection may get disrupted resulting in abrupt ending of the video lessons or no timely submission of the assignments or unclear voice. These glitches may take away the interest of the students.  

Essential requirements of the Virtual Classes

Simplicity and clarity

The content should be simple and clear for the students to understand in a virtual class.

Capability

The teacher must be capable of proper dissemination of the education content with sufficient knowledge of the technology involved. Similarly, the students also need to know the technicalities and have the proper mental frame to receive as well as understand the content. 

Reliability of the platform

The entire setup of the virtual classroom should be completely reliable for a trouble-free performance. A broken connection, unclear voice/ image/ disrupted videos, etc. may derail the learning process. It is important to choose a suitable platform for the conduct of the class.

Innovative ways of teaching

Innovative ways of designing the content and teaching pedagogy bring excitement to the virtual class. It engages the students in a much better manner. Sometimes, these have to be devised at spur of the moment, as per the needs of the class.

Proper interaction

The teacher has to give equal and active attention to all the students; keep them involved by asking questions, and interact with them regularly. 

Energizing the students

The teacher is the point of focus in a virtual classroom too. He or she can transcend his or her energy instantly to the students. A warm “Hi” or “Hello” or “Good Morning” may do the trick. Throwing some energizing exercises in between may take that yawn away from the students and enhance the teacher’s control over the class. 

Speed of the Navigation

The pace of conducting the class should be in keeping with the students so that it is neither too fast nor too slow. If too fast, all the students may not keep pace with it and if too slow, they may get bored. 

Real-life examples

The text should not be too abstract. It can be made interesting with real-life models or examples/ case studies.

Regular tests

Regular/ surprise tests bring the students on the alert mode.

Involve the parents

Since the students attend the class from their homes, it becomes very important to involve their parents as well. Many parents love to be a part of the overall educational journey of their children. They can be a great source for the monitoring of their children’s activities. 

Class schedule

If the teachers discuss the schedule to be followed in the future classes, the students find it easier to plan for these .

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The author has referred to the following websites for inspiration                

https://blog.blackboard.com/student-engagement-strategies-motivate-online-learner/ 

https://education.seattlepi.com/problems-online-classes-1132.html

 

This article has also appeared on the website www.lucknowcity.co.in and can be read there also while visiting for many other attractive posts.

19.b. Ultimate tips to make your virtual classroom alive (specific ones)

"Online learning is not the next big thing, it is the now big thing.” - Donna J. Abernathy

Specific Tips for the motivation of the students of the Junior and Senior classes

High level of the interaction

In these classes, besides all the essential requirements, a very high level of interaction between the teacher and the students is required. An example-

In a Physics class, the teacher throws an imaginary ball at a student suddenly and says, “Suyash, this is potential energy. Be ready to answer questions on it.” Similarly, another imaginary ball is thrown at Ria, “Ria, this is Kinetic Energy. You have to answer questions on it.” Similar actions are repeated for a few other students. This action, not only catches the attention of only those students but of the entire class as other students become alert because their chance may also come suddenly. The motivation catches them like wildfire and engages their attention wholesomely.

Multiple Choice Questions

From time to time, the teacher may give a set of Multiple Choice Questions in the class. Every student is required to answer and the first five with correct answers may be given some points of rewards. This way the students would remain engaged throughout the class.

Interesting websites and links

The teacher can give links of the relevant websites for further reference to the students.

Appreciation and rewards

Like a physical class, appreciation and rewards work in a virtual class too. E-certificates/ appreciation letters can be given to the good performers.

Specific Tips for the motivation of the students of the Pre-primary and Primary classes

Real-life examples

Drawing and retaining the attention of small children is very difficult especially in a virtual class. It can be made interesting by throwing in real-life cases. They can be asked to bring items of a particular description. If they are being taught about the fruits, the teacher can ask them to run in the house and bring fruits, take their name, and write quickly about these. Similarly, when taught about a particular colour, they may be asked to pick up items of that colour and name them. On being taught about hygiene, they may be asked to bring items like soap, toothbrush, comb, shoe shining polish etc. This way they will be engaged and learn properly too.

Storytelling

The students can be given cues and asked to write stories based on it. These cues can be in the form of pictures or points. They can be given situations and asked to elaborate these. This will enhance their  creative writing skills.

Make it a game

It can be put to them in the form of a game. For example, in a Geography or General Knowledge class, the students can be randomly asked the names of the capitals of the countries; famous rivers; mountains; continents or oceans, etc. In English Class, they can be given a particular word and the next child has to pick up last letter of this word and speak out another word. The chain continues till one child fails to speak out the proper word and gets a minus point. This can go on and on. In a Science class, a similar game can be played about the names of the body parts, or from any other relevant topic. 

Tools that can be used for an effective virtual class

The basic purpose of the tools is to arouse and maintain the interest of the students in the classroom. These can be in the form of Visuals, Chat sessions, Audio discussions, and virtual breakout rooms. 

Some of the famous names are as follows:

1. Google Classroom
2. Google Forms
3. Whiteboard.fi 
4. You tube
5. Quizlet
6. Pear Deck
7. Edpuzzle
8. Padlet
9. Kahoot

The teachers can make a checklist of all the students before the beginning of the class. It is like an attendance sheet. The only difference is that here the teacher ticks the names of the students with whom he or she has interacted in the class. This can be used to check up if anybody is less active or inactive. 

Conclusion

The Coronavirus has indeed changed the way we live but we must realize that a true person is the one who changes challenges into the opportunities. This situation is going to continue for a long period unless some magical cure is found. We cannot shut down our lives. For the children, education has to go on. They cannot miss it. Online education or virtual classroom is a reality that we have to follow in the right earnest.

# VirtualClassroom #OnlineEducation #HowToEngageStudentsInOnlineClasses #HowToEngageStudentsInVirtualClasses # TipsToEngageStudentsInOnlineClasses                 # TipsToEngageStudentsInOnlineEducation # TipsToEngageStudentsInVirtualClasses              # TipsForTeachersToConductOnlineClasses # ToolsForOnlineClasses                                       # HowToEngageStudentsInOnlineClasses # HowToConductSuccessfulOnlineClasses               # TipsToEngagePrimaryStudentsInOnlineClasses                                                                       # TipsToEngagePrePrimaryStudentsInOnlineClasses                                                                 # TipsToEngageJuniorStudentsInOnlineClasses                                                                           # TipsToEngageSeniorStudentsInOnlineClasses                                       

  

The author has referred to the following websites for inspiration                

https://blog.blackboard.com/student-engagement-strategies-motivate-online-learner/ 

https://education.seattlepi.com/problems-online-classes-1132.html

 

This article has also appeared on the website www.lucknowcity.co.in and can be read there also while visiting for many other attractive posts.

18. 15 basic qualities to make you the Star Pre-Primary Teacher

 

                    

Add caption

 

• Mumma, I love my teacher.
• No Papa, don’t send me to school, please. I don’t like ma’am at all.
• Mumma, please, can’t I play in school for some more time? I just love the place.
• Papa, please don’t leave me here.

 

For these tiny angels, school is their first independent outing. It starts their journey on the path of education. They learn social skills, sharing, vocabulary, cooperation, good habits, and good manners; develop motor and cognitive skills; recognize colours, numbers, and letters; communicate and follow the commands by somebody other than their family members. 

When they come to the pre-school, these children feel restless because of coming out of their comfort zones. They need to be settled first and once they are at ease, the teaching must start joyfully. 

Role of a Pre-primary Teacher

Their teacher is the first person outside the family with whom the little angels are required to spend long hours at a stretch. She has to act like a caring mother and facilitate joyful learning. This method of teaching can be termed as the Play-way method. Their entire process of learning comprises singing songs; dancing merrily; laughter; playing games; applying creativity; reading colourful books; drawing and colouring; and many more such activities. Their teacher becomes their role model and personification of the school for them. Most of the parents happily comment that their children get so much enamoured with their teacher that they only follow what she has told them to do.

Basic Qualities required in a Pre-primary teacher

The Pre-primary teacher is required to have certain basic attributes. These can be described as follows:

1. Educational Qualifications- Graduation is a basic qualification. However, the person with Nursery Teachers Training qualifications or a B. Ed. Degree additionally has a professional edge. 
2. Patience- Patience is the first requisite in a Pre-primary teacher. The toddlers are restless, having left their mothers’ laps to come to the school. They look for a mother figure in their teacher with a caring face. Some of them would be hollering; some may feel too excited to run; some may become angry at the other children; some may not want to sit in the class; some of them may not have control over their bowels….There are endless issues but the teacher has to be poised and calm.
3. Creativity- The teacher needs to have an innate sense of creativity. They may create models for an easy explanation. This creativity becomes useful not only in teaching but also in Art & craftwork, acting out stories, and designing different types of games to engage them.
4. Child-centric Approach- This means that she must be an epitome of love, affection, and caring. She must love to be among the children drawing their attention in whatever she does. Even for controlling them, she cannot be harsh or aggressive with them. She must be the center of attraction.  The children look up to their teacher so she should have an appealing personality with a good dress sense.
5. Communication Skills- The teacher must be able to go down to the children’s level to make them understand. That is the crux of the communication skills. Besides, she must be in regular communication with the parents who are keen on their children’s adaptability in the school. 
6. Classroom management- A good teacher would always be in control of the class. A cluttered and unmanaged class where the children are crying, running after each other, jumping, or just walking around is nobody’s idea of a good class. This chaos can disturb even otherwise peaceful children. 
7. Story-telling- The best scene of a Pre-primary class would be when all the children are sitting around the teacher and enjoying listening to a story. It is a very good quality of the Pre-primary teacher and a very good way to grab their attention.
8. Technological expertise- These days the technology has taken over. Smart classes are in order of the day. There are interactive boards. Moreover, the corona pandemic has forced all the children to remain indoors and attend to the online classes. The teachers are required to interact with the children on various online platforms like Zoom, WhatsApp, Google classroom, Skype, etc. The teachers should be comfortable teaching on these and make videos etc. for teaching the students.
9. Lesson Plan- A regular plan is required even for teaching and other activities. Plans should be made for long periods and then split into a weekly and daily basis. It is not enough only to make these plans but look into their proper execution as well.
10. Proper conceptualization- Only book or board teaching is not sufficient. These little ones have to be taught the basics in an easy manner. The teacher has to teach them the concepts of sharing and help them learn proper words for various things that they see around them. It is very important to explain to them the same lessons in many different ways for their retention. For example, the numbers or alphabets can be taught by using different models and games. 
11. Rhymes and songs- Singing Nursery rhymes and songs with the children is a very good way to introduce them to the magical world of the music. These rhymes and songs have lyrics close to their hearts and transport them to a world of their dreams. Acting these out adds to the children’s interests.
12. Teaching good habits, manners, and etiquette- The teacher must teach the children good habits, manners, and etiquette. For example, they must learn to eat properly with the help of spoons without spilling the eatables. She should also teach them good habits like brushing their teeth; combing their hair; wearing clean clothes; eating properly; using magic words like PLEASE, THANK YOU, SORRY, EXCUSE ME, YOU ARE WELCOME, etc. This would be possible only when the teacher is well-versed in these.
13. Agility- The teacher of the pre-primary classes has to be very much agile. She has to be constantly on the move otherwise the class would become unmanageable. She needs to have enough strength and mentally fit for this job.
14. Drawing and coloring- Knowing Drawing and Colouring can be an added asset for the pre-primary teacher. It is a very good activity to encourage children’s imagination. The teacher can also use this activity in explaining the concepts to the little ones. For example, drawing and colouring the sun, moon, clouds, etc. may give them an idea about these. 
15. Adding to the variety of teaching- Variety in the teaching methods helps in engaging the children. For example, the celebration of various days by the name of colours or fruits or flowers such as an orange day or mango day or a rose day, helps them learn about the colours, fruits, and flowers but also improves their association. The children have to be dressed in that particular colour. They eat fruits of that colour and name or draw flowers, fruits, etc. 

Conclusion

These basic qualities have to be made an innate part of the teacher’s personality to make her, the darling of her pupils’ hearts.

 

 

 

 # PrePrimaryTeacher # QualitiesOfAPrePrimaryTeacher                                                   # RequirementsOfAPrePrimaryTeacher

The author R. C. Verma has drawn out some basic qualities required in a Pre-primary teacher. Kindly post your comments in the box below or mail me vermarajesh55@gmail.com

17.Do your children like each other?

Oh, Mumma! Look at him. He has broken my doll.

Mumma! But she also tore my comic.

I will hit him. He has slapped me……

And they will go on until you are almost mad but the surprise of the surprise…soon- you may find them sharing an ice-cream with the best of the smile.

Yes, they are typical examples of the siblings.

Siblings: children of the same parents, each of whom is perfectly normal until they get together.

The rivalry is perfectly normal in any close relationship. Yes, it is frustrating for the parents to have to solve their never-ending fights with each other. However, the parents’ role starts from here only. They are required to solve this perennial problem not only to maintain family peace but to keep the children learning positive traits as they grow.

Why do they fight?

·   There can be seemingly infinite, irrelevant reasons but the basic one is their being attention-seekers. They have to be the first one to grab their parents’ focus and of the people around them. They want to grab all the love of their parents and not letting it be shared by their siblings.

·   There is always a keen sense of competition among them in everything they do or have. It is a very healthy feeling and makes them try their best in whatever they do, be it academics; pursuance of the hobbies; playing games and sports, or participation in the co-curricular activities.

Some Important factors

Gender- Siblings of the same sex are likely to have common interests but more bickering.

The difference in age- It is a simple principle-Less the age-gap, more the fights; more the age-gap less will be the fights because of mutual affection, love, and respect.

Security Consciousness- All the children need a secure atmosphere but middle children have more of this feeling, as compared to elder or younger children. They fight to have a feeling of more security.

Age factors- This feeling of sibling rivalry reduces with age as the children gain maturity and go towards adulthood. It is most prevalent between the ages of 10 to 15 years old.

10 Important tips for the parents

As mentioned above, sibling rival is healthy and perfectly normal. However, parents can take the following steps not to let the situation go out of their hands.

1.   No comparisons- This is the biggest mistake committed by the parents of comparing one child with his or her sibling. He or she has got these grades, what are you doing? Look at his/ her dance. Why can’t you do it like this?

Parents compare them to inspire a feeling of competition but instead of it, generate a sense of jealousy, bickering, and frustration.

2.   Realize that it is momentary- The children’s fights are very short-lived, momentary, and for negligible reasons. However, the moment parents jump in, it gets fuelled up and stays for a longer duration. If one child feels that he or she is being discriminated against then the seeds of discontent germinate easily.

3.   Each child is unique- If one child is a good cricketer, his brother or sister may have talent in music. Parents need to recognize this unique individual feature of each of their children and should nurture this to make them excel in it. Please remember, each child is good, he or she has to be made better so that they become the best. Their individuality has to be respected and given due importance. They may have been cut from the same cloth but still have their individual preferences and choices. This has to be respected even for selecting such small things as gifts for them

4.   Basic discipline is a must- Everything is fine till they do not cross the limits of basic discipline. This is common and applicable to all the children. The magical words like “Thank you”, “Please”, “I am sorry’; “Excuse me”; “You are welcome” need to be used by all the children among each other and with everybody. Basic manners and etiquette need to be learned and practiced by all children.

5.   Give them your ear- Let each one of them feel about getting a proper hearing. Remember, parents, are required to have patience. Listen to their grievance, howsoever, childish it may be. Believe me, only giving them your ear properly, will solve half the problems.

6.   You love them but show it as well- Love and care are the positive feelings. As mentioned children are attention seekers. The moment they get your affection they are satiated and filled with positive feelings. This helps reduce animosity and creates sibling love. Moreover, good parental behavior encourages them to spread this with their siblings.

7.   Teach them responsibility- It is a good practice to keep giving and adding the responsibilities as the children grow older. This will keep them away from fighting each other and also develop a sense of cooperation among them.

8.   Don’t discriminate- Treat all your children equally. Rules cannot and should not be different for one child from others. Give the same kind of education, privileges, dresses, facilities, etc. Any discrimination will set the bad blood among them. Be impartial. If two children are fighting, both have to be punished and counseled.

9.   Distract them- They are fighting, not listening to you. You don’t need to shout. Just involve them in an activity like storytelling/ painting, games, etc. As mentioned earlier, the reasons for their fights are very small. They will soon forget as they get busy. Moreover, it will cater to their creativity.

10. Pep up their confidence- They are small. Sometimes, they may be feeling low. Be supportive of the child. His or her siblings will soon understand and follow your behavior.

Conclusion

There is nothing to worry if the children fight. Care should be taken for it not to turn physical. Parental understanding, love, and care will make them like, appreciate, and have tender feelings for each other. In fact, it will lay a solid foundation for their future lives.  

#SiblingRivalry # WhyDoSiblingsFight #ParentalTipsForAvoidingSiblingRivalry #HowToControlSiblingRivalry

The author has been inspired by the following website-

 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/sibling-rivalry/art-20046568

 

The author R.C. Verma has taken up the problem of Sibling Rivalry which is common in nearly every family with small children. Hope it will be found useful. Kindly do post your comments. You can also mail me at vermarajesh55@gmail.com