Online teaching has become a necessity in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it comes with its own set of challenges. One of the biggest issues is that much of the learning is done asynchronously, which can lead to students feeling disconnected from their instructor and peers. Without the hustle and bustle of the classroom and the company of their peers, it's no surprise that some students may begin to feel a strong sense of isolation that slowly erodes their desire to learn. In addition, managing teaching time can be difficult.
Students are likely to have more consultations, which will take up much of their office hours and other time. To help with this, teachers can use tools like Kritik, which simplifies the workflow and saves them time. Kritik also uses accurate and quality peer review, which can save teachers more than 100 hours per quarter in grading. When transitioning to an online course, it's important to reimagine course objectives, activities, and evaluations.
This redesign can be especially successful when started well before the course start date and in consultation with an instructional designer. It's also important to consider the unique characteristics of an online course, such as its asynchronous nature, lack of visual and verbal cues, etc., when designing objectives, activities, and assessments. Finally, there are challenges related to students who don't have devices for online learning or reliable access to the Internet. In addition, students should understand online communication etiquette and know the rights and responsibilities of students in an online learning environment.
It has been a difficult period for all teachers around the world as they adjust to teaching remotely. With the right tools and strategies in place, however, teachers can successfully navigate these challenges and ensure their students have a positive learning experience.
