Online Micro Teaching Reflection
Advantages
What I liked best about online teaching was the ease with which learners could access a class no matter where they were. It also introduces learners to a new learning experience that can be enjoyable and exciting. In an online lesson, no one sits in the back row; everyone is seated front and center. You can easily split learners into groups without the confusion of shuffling around a class and getting them to settle down before they get to the actual work with online teaching. Learners will also gain 21st century skills by interacting with and using online tools.
Disadvantages
Everyone learns in their own way; each learner has a unique learning style, and online teaching limits teachers' ability to engage and interact with learners in order to accommodate their learning styles. It is also difficult to keep all learners engaged and limit distractions at the same time. Learners in grades R-3 are easily distracted and may require supervision during lessons, which is not always possible with online learning. There can be numerous technical difficulties when teaching online. Nothing disrupts an online lesson more than audio, video, or connection issues, as well as load shedding in South Africa.
New skills learnt
I learned a few new skills while online teaching, such as how to use technology to make a lesson fun, interactive, and engaging while sitting behind a computer screen, as well as how to involve all learners in the lesson. I discovered new tools and websites that can be used to make learning more easily accessible and enjoyable. I also learned that time management, covered content, and learner participation are all equally important. Learners do not want to sit in front of a computer screen and listen to you blabber information because they risk zoning out and becoming distracted. The teacher must constantly check in with the learner by asking them content-related questions or simply asking them to read the slides/content.
What would I do differently?
What I would change is to add more content to the slides so that it was more content rich and learners learned new and important information about the topic. I would also be more clear in my instructions and not rush through the slides, as learners may not have gained or retained any knowledge or content that I was attempting to convey. I would allow learners to correct themselves or simply elaborate on the answer choice they made in order to gain a better understanding of what they know and understand.
Did I choose the appropriate tools?
The tools I chose, such as sound effects, a YouTube video, and a quiz PowerPoint slide, worked well for the outcomes I was attempting to achieve in the lesson, in my opinion. Learners understood what was expected of them and actively participated in the lesson. The lesson flowed well and there were no technical issues with the tools I chose to use.
How has the experience developed me for teaching in school?
This experience has given me a better understanding of how to effectively integrate technology in the classroom and make it engaging and exciting. It has given me the opportunity to investigate a wide range of websites and applications that can be used to improve the learning experience for learners. It has prepared me for any situation in which online teaching is required; essentially, I have gained experience using online platforms to create a virtual classroom and ensure that teaching and learning take place regardless of whether the classroom is physical or virtual.
Thank you for such a wonderful lesson! You were so interactive, and I loved the competition you created between us as learners. Your activity was age appropriate, and I appreciated the efforts you put in to make your presentation so visually appealing!
Ashleigh
Fun lesson on insects 🐝🐞
Good to explain quiz rules before lesson- your quiz engaged learners and you managed the hat box and hand raises well. If you feel the quiz is going too fast, use time between questions to recap on content by explaining the correct. Especially use this time to explain incorrect answers as well.
thanks Tasneem
NB - Classroom management and teaching philosophy forms part of your eBook which is a separate component to the Wix blog
Thanks Tasneem