How to adapt traditional classroom teaching methods to virtual classes?

Nowadays teachers and the staff involved in the education must be able to use technology and assimilate the relevance and influence thereof in the present and future. Technology represents an additional element of the learning process and development; that’s why technology is constantly contributing to create new forms of learning and teaching. However, the pandemic has somehow shown us a new reality with many technological transformation challenges to face. 

The lockdown, among other measures, has led us to a “new normal” and although many business and social activities have been suspended during said period, there are no doubts that collaboration tools have been a lifeline for all of us. Collaboration tools allow us to stay connected and have even procured greater advantages to many industries; however – it has to be said – the remote collaboration model is not new. 

In several industries, distance model has been a topic of debate for at least a decade. So, why has it been adopted only now? Changes may be complex, and the adoption of these models is not only about acquiring new technologies, but it is also about adapting to them, and the adaptation process may be very difficult for many sectors such as the education. 

The entire educational experience, including teaching and learning process, may strongly change when you move from a model based on real classrooms, full of students, armchairs, blackboards, windows, books, etc., to a different model where people spend most of the day alone in front of a screen, perhaps in a space shared with family or roommates. This circumstance may lead to monotonous and tedious classes where holding students’ attention may be a very difficult task to fulfill. However, knowing how to take advantage from technological tools and especially how to adapt them to our teaching style, can make classes much more dynamic and profitable. If you are wondering how to make it possible, here are some tips for the adaptation process from the traditional classroom teaching methods to virtual teaching. 

Collaboration in the classroom. 

We recommend you to create a space:  

• for announcements, assignments, documents and videos, that everyone can access and consult at any time, to get the latest information about the class. 
• where students can keep discussing on the topics of the class or the projects they work on and may chat and work in team. 
• for discussion and team work purposes. You should form groups of 4 or 5 students to work in team and act as facilitator. 

Virtual meeting.  

We recommend you to:  

• record the class in order to allow those who missed the class or want to go over the topic, having the class content available at any time. Students who cannot attend the class may have access to class content later; 
• open a participation space for those students who watch the recorded classes. In this way you will encourage the debate and reinforce learning process; 
• organize special meetings with students with the purpose of solving problems or focusing attention on questions or practicing before any exam; 
• plan a 15 minute meeting with each student before the commencement of any semester; 
• invite students to participate or interact with other students. 

Many institutions have rejected online education in the past and preferred keeping traditional teaching methods, but the pandemic made online education a reality.  

At Ikusi we understand the importance for academic institutions of training and updating with new technologies. We offer the safest and most complete technological solutions for this task. Furthermore, we understand what this adaptation requires and how to value the human factor in everything. Check out our collaboration solutions and get the one that best suits your needs.