The importance of adaptability among teachers

In their working lives, teachers often face challenging and uncertain situations
that require careful navigation and adaptability. These may include adjusting
the pace of lessons to better engage students, minimising frustration when
results are not according to plan, and even during interactions with colleagues
and parents.

The ability to adapt plays a significant role in helping teachers meet the
demands of their work. This is particularly important in these trying times
when the coronavirus outbreak has led to unprecedented disruptions not just
in education but also in almost all aspects of human life.

Teaching in a virtual environment

For many educators, the transition from teaching in a physical classroom to a

fully virtual environment is a new experience and poses several challenges.

Apart from connectivity and technological access, social interaction can be

limited. Distractions at home that students would have never encountered in
school may also lessen engagement and affect their ability to retain concepts.

As such, teachers are employing creative measures to make online classes

an engaging experience not just for their students but also themselves. Here
are 10 things teachers are doing to successfully make the adjustment to
remote teaching.

They’re familiarising themselves with technology.

In today’s digital age, educational tools and platforms that facilitate

communication between teachers and students abound. The key for many
teachers is to choose a platform that is familiar to them and their students.
Knowing the capabilities and limitations of the tools in use allows efficient use
of time and seamless exchange of information.

They’re setting realistic goals.

Teachers are learning to manage their expectations on how much lessons
they can cover. They understand that several factors, including physical
separation and other distractions at home, can get in the way of getting to the
“finish line” they had in mind for their classes – and it’s alright.

They’re more attentive to their students’ needs.

The number one barrier teachers are facing is the lack of connectivity less
advantaged students have at home. Some teachers address this by shipping
books and other materials to those who don’t have wireless access and
calling them to go over questions and concerns.

They’re creating a positive learning environment outside the classroom.

Despite the absence of physical presence, teachers are creating opportunities

to encourage student collaboration and discourse. Discussion boards, which
provide a great venue for idea sharing, are commonly utilised while designing
assignments using shareable online documents allow students to collaborate
in small groups.

They’re keeping engagement up.

Jennifer Dewar, senior education consultant at D2L, told the Educator: “The
most important element of successful remote learning – or any learning for
that matter – is the level of student engagement.”

Just as in any classroom setting, teachers need to grab students’ attention

and keep them engaged. To do this, many teachers are segmenting lectures
in short sequences and asking quick questions to check comprehension.
Injecting humour and creativity to lessons can also help.

They’re taking advantage of available resources.

The type of learning materials is another way to keep students engaged.

Several educators are taking advantage of the resources they have by
blending traditional learning approaches with newer, more collaborative audio
and visual tools. A combination of spurts of discussions, group work, video
and audio clips and hands-on exercises are ingredients for a lively online
classroom.

They’re keeping parents involved.

Parents play a crucial role on a students’ remote learning success. Teachers

are establishing open lines of communication with parents to help keep their
children on track.

“Now more than ever, we find ourselves in a situation where teachers and
parents need to work closely together as an educational team. This is why it’s
so important that teachers and parents continue to effectively engage with
each other about student learning,” said Australian Institute for Teaching and
School Leadership (AITSL) CEO Mark Grant in an interview with The
Educator.

“Maintaining strong communication with parents and carers to create a

suitable home learning environment, and to create a supportive online
community of learners, will be a key focus for teachers in setting up
successful online and distance learning.”

They’re collaborating more with other teachers.

Teachers are aware that they are not in this alone. Many are coming up with
creative approaches to learning by sharing ideas and talking to other
teachers. Through collaboration, teachers can also identify what is working
and what isn’t. Some teachers even co-host lessons, which is particularly
effective with larger groups.

They’ve learned to bridge physical isolation.

The social-distancing measures in place can lead to a feeling of isolation,

especially if one is living alone. Teachers are satisfying their need for social
interaction by talking not just to their students but also their colleagues. The
online platforms they use for teaching can also be tools to organise virtual
happy hours, team gaming and virtual Netflix movie sessions to bridge the
physical isolation.
They’re putting more time on reflection.

Having more time in their hands than usual, teachers are able to put more
time reflecting on lessons. They are able to assess more deeply what worked
and what did not, giving them time to adapt their future lessons.