When the pandemic struck last March, life as we know it changed in an instant. After a rough and tumble few months, schooling resumed, albeit online. Now that a new school year is in progression, some classes, from elementary to university, continue their studies online.

“Online teaching has forced both students and teachers to adapt to a radically different learning environment,” says Nicola Hope, Professor of Political Science at John Abbott College. Hope says this new reality impacts both educators and students. Educators must learn new online platforms and teaching methods, and the learning curve is steep. Students must also come to terms with a very different reality: being in front of a screen all day long.

Maria Stergiou, an Early Childhood Education professor and instructor at Canada College, notes the numerous challenges with online learning. “Students get bored, do not show up to class, aren’t at home when on ZOOM, claim that it causes more fatigue, or decide to put the camera on and leave to get a snack or take an extra washroom break,” she says. “Basically, students do not take distance learning the same way as in the actual classroom, even though the rules remain the same.”

The good news? Educators have stepped up their game to help students cope. Since online learning is currently a reality for some, they devised successful strategies to ease the process. Here’s a list of tips designed to help educators:

Break it Up
Educators can’t teach online the way they do in a classroom because the dynamics are different. Stergiou understands that sitting in front of a computer can get tiring, so she created a new schedule and rules, and gives regular snack breaks.

Mix it Up
Hope keeps things fresh by making sure her classes have a good balance of lecture, discussion and class activities. She also implements “working sessions,” where students have dedicated class time to work on big assignments while she remains online at their disposal.

Increase Student Interaction
Stergiou makes sure the whole lesson isn’t teacher-centred. She typically begins with a lead-in, where she introduces a discussion with the students or shows them a video clip. Then, she separates the students into break-out rooms so they can interact.

Keep it Visual
Stergiou keeps it interesting by being more animated and recreating a classroom atmosphere by using various tools such as PowerPoint or a drawing board. These visual aids help keep students stimulated.

Keep Evolving as an Educator
Hope also suggests educators ask for help when they need it, whether it’s from IT or their administration. In addition, educators should try to attend training sessions if they’re available. The more knowledge they arm themselves with, the better.

Navigating virtual education through a pandemic can be challenging, but it’s also an opportunity for educators to branch out and try new things. As a last tip, it’s also important for educators to keep their expectations realistic.  “Celebrate the small wins,” says Hope. “Learn from your mistakes, and keep moving forward.”