Teaching students remotely would effectively minimize the time spent by lecturers when traveling to appointments. Remote teaching can be convenient and practical, provided that you are equipped with the necessary tools. Until recently, it has been troublesome to simulate a platform that brings together tutors and students, thus making learning simpler. The good news is that various subjects can be learned remotely, given the advances in technology. Remote learning can be achieved through multiple means, such as using advanced tools, online software, and modifying the teaching approach. Before you make any attempt to use the remote teaching tools, ensure that your internet browser on your tablet or computer is up to date. Here are a few tools that will effectively help you teach mathematics remotely.
Making Announcements
Spend some time reviewing your teaching plan with your students using a blackboard. You can also send emails when you need to communicate confidential information, such as student grades. It would be necessary to exercise caution when dealing with sensitive information, and it would be advisable to communicate using the safest option that offers students a single point of contact on any material that relates to the course.
Instruction Based Technology
Various online software and tools can help in teaching through supporting collaboration and interaction, assessment and feedback, and content delivery. Numerous online calculators are designed to offer you a shortcut to those complicated math problems. Most experts tend to think that these calculators can be more straightforward, provided a student employs the right tools. You can encourage your students to explore such technology, given that it will help in supporting remote interactions.
Recording Lectures
Several online tools can help you convey class materials to students when they at home. In case you have a class of over 30 students, consider recording lectures, then take students’ questions on the discussion board. Recording would be more effective compared to holding a conference meeting with students. You can download an online recording software that allows you to record yourself while speaking. Students will access your recording through email or any social platform. In case you use a chalkboard when teaching, consider using a smaller board that fits on the webcam. Also, ensure you answer all questions that students post on the discussion board.
Use a Virtual Whiteboard
Mathematics requires that you simulate the experience that a student has when sited next to a tutor. The simulated experience needs to be centered on a single exercise, and this can be achieved using networked whiteboard applications. The most effective whiteboard apps need to be real-time in that both you and the student view the same material with a negligible time lag. The whiteboard should enable the editing of content by different people at the same time, and it should also be persistent in that it stores all discussion sessions; therefore, you can review the material later.
Live Online Classes
You can always have online sessions with the entire class or have online meetings with individual students using conferencing tools that allow for group work, live lectures, text chats, and online discussions. In case your students experience difficulty when accessing the online platforms, record your math lecture, distribute to students, and use the live session as an alternative.
Distribute Class Materials
You might have problem sets, readings, documents, or homework that you need to convey to your students. You can always use online modules that will organize your teaching content, thus making it easier for your students to access. You only need to create a module for every topic, then add files or links that relate to the topic. The modules also allow for students to share materials among themselves; therefore, you can relax at home knowing that all students have your notes.
Assignments and Examinations
At some point, your students need to take remote tests, quizzes, or examinations. There is online software that offers timed tests, open-ended questions, and shuffled answers. Consider using the software when administering any evaluation test and ensure that you inform the students about the code of integrity before taking the exam to ensure you get the right results from them. You can also pose a challenge to students by encouraging them to solve the arithmetic problem while explaining their procedure. Students will generally get the same answer; however, when they reveal their working, it would mean that they have understood the lesson.
Teaching mathematics remotely could have a rough start, and you might experience some challenges as you attempt to help your students transition to this format of learning. Always remember that the end always justifies the means, and through employing these techniques, your students will know that you care about their well-being since you will have placed some effort in passing knowledge.
