Web-based Contact Learning ABC (Part 3): Student Feedback, Teacher Development and Cooperation

Web-based Contact Learning ABC is a practical study material in conducting e-learning. This material helps teachers and trainers to organize webinars and e-learning efficiently and thoughtfully. The material is prepared by the lecturers of the Non-formal Education and Lifelong Learning study area of the School of Educational Sciences at Tallinn University in cooperation with the team of EDUSPACE research lab of teaching and learning.

woman studying

Teaching online, you can easily feel isolated. This is especially true when participants' cameras and microphones are turned off. Establish or maintain contact, initiate dialogues, and encourage learners to be active. 

In a small group, learners feel more comfortable. Use group work as much as possible, agreeing with the learners that the teacher can visit the virtual groups.

It is more difficult for teachers and students to get feedback from each other via the screen because the contact between them is limited. Ask students to use reaction cues, use voting, and encourage them to use the discussion area to express their opinions.

Teacher Development

  • Find new teaching methods that are appropriate for your online teaching style. Usual teaching and communication may not be appropriate in a web-based environment.
  • After the online training, find a teacher with whom you can share your teaching experience. Focus on the choices, actions, values, and feelings you make.
  • If possible, visit webinars from other teachers to get new ideas. Record your online teaching from time to time (by prior arrangement with learners) and view them.

Cooperation

  • In the case of longer studies, share the role of the lead lecturer with a co-lecturer or student to offer a change and give yourself a moment of rest.
  • When teaching a variety of people, plan ahead for a “division of labor” - who will show the slides, who will manage the chat room, who will help with the group work. This allows you to deal with different communication channels and makes the process smooth.
  • Agree with the co-teacher which communication channel you will use to communicate with each other, this will allow you to react flexibly to the changed learning situation. For example, in a situation where a computer teacher is freezing.