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.

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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

 

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