On line teaching
Hello to all my fellow teachers, 馃槂
馃挆today I would like to talk about this hole on line class dynamic thing.
First of all let me tell you something , so you won´t think I´m bitter, … like everybody I was hopeful for the pandemic to be over and happy for the new year, you know happy 2021 by the way.
I thought well after the winter break I feel renew and relax.馃槣
I´m starting a new quarter in the High School where I teach, this time I was assigned to teach English III to a new group.
As teachers facing a new group with no background information of the real level and with no book, this were my options:
- Apply a diagnostic exam
- Ask about the topics
- Start over with everything
I decided to ask about what the were working on the previous course, so I could have an idea of how I could make my lesson plan for the course.
I didn´t wanted to come to strong because they only have an hour a week of English class and thought It was going to be a small group but it wasn´t.
The group has new students so now I need to take that too in to consideration to make my class plan for the quarter.馃槺
I look for some tips on line but I just found tips on how to engage students or to give instructions for beginners for example give instructions slow and repeat, but the thing is there´s no information in to how to address an heterogenous group with some
background English knowledge and some with none.馃槓
Going back to my story of my first English class of the year, I made a dynamic where they would introduce themselves and tell me something from their last English course, and everything was ok, until this girl, that told me she had never have a good English teacher so I told her: ¨OMG, I don’t want to be on that list, but I guess I´m going to be the next one….” So to be clear I was joking I laugh…
And I guess the girl didn’t notice she had the microphone on and she said what is she CRAZY or HIGH…., Why is she laughing?馃槼
Tell me, What would you have done?馃様
oh dear teacher, I feel so identified with you, you seem to struggle in on-line classes, like youu Ihave been looking for some strageties and the only one that I found it was to be patient and remain ourselves positive and I think you are an expert on doing so, and about your student the one that discovered you... that you were high...jajajaja...just kidding...well, you will be that teacher the one that makes the difference... you will be her GREAT TEACHER!
ResponderEliminarThere's always that pressure of wanting to be the "best" teacher but let's be honest, we can't please them all but we CAN please most of them! I think the way you went about it was really thoughtful, you made a diagnostic test with the intention of finding out their English language level. But for you, it turns out the group is a mixed bag!
ResponderEliminarEver since I moved to Mexico, I've always been the student more advanced in English compared to my classmates at the time and what I learned is that teachers will prioritize the ones with lower English understanding. Which I didn't mind at all because there's always something new to learn with every teacher even when it's a subject you already know about.
What I always found neat is when teachers associate the subject to something that happened to them. A storytime if you will. Sometimes you could even cater to some of your students' topics of interest.
To put it simply, I would prioritize those with the lower level and bring them up to speed with the majority level of the group. Because trying to aim for the one who has the highest level is adding too much on your plate.
Damaris I have seen in classes as a student, and I think you are very creative hard worker, intelligent so I think you are going to find the best answer to your doubt according with your experience. Good luck!!!
ResponderEliminarIt seems to me that teachers always strive to do our best, there will always something or someone who makes you feel otherwise. The important thing is to keep doing what you know, time and dedication will be in charge of showing her that really you were her best teacher, I´m sure!!
ResponderEliminar