Online Learning Tips for Teachers

Teaching Through a Screen

Whether you are fully virtual, hybrid, or using online components in your blended classroom, teaching online requires different strategies than in-person instruction. Here is what works.

Engagement Strategies

Cameras and Participation -- Encourage cameras on but do not require them. Some students have valid reasons for cameras off. Instead, build participation through polls, chat responses, collaborative documents, and breakout rooms.

Shorter Segments -- Attention spans are shorter online. Teach in 10-15 minute segments with activities in between. The "lecture for 45 minutes" approach dies online.

Interactive Tools -- Use polls (Mentimeter, Zoom polls), collaborative documents (Google Docs, Jamboard), annotation tools, and chat purposefully. Every few minutes, students should DO something.

Breakout Rooms -- Small group discussion in breakout rooms is essential. Provide a clear task, a time limit, and something to share when they return.

Synchronous vs. Asynchronous

Synchronous (Live) -- Best for: discussion, collaboration, community building, direct instruction, and real-time feedback.

Asynchronous (On Their Own Time) -- Best for: reading, video viewing, independent practice, research, and creative work. Some students learn better at their own pace.

Balance Both -- The most effective online learning combines synchronous and asynchronous components.

Assessment Online

Formative Assessment -- Use quick polls, exit tickets (Google Forms), and chat responses to check understanding in real time.

Authentic Assessment -- Assign projects, presentations, and created products instead of traditional tests. These are harder to cheat on and more meaningful.

Open-Resource Assessments -- Instead of fighting cheating, design assessments that are open-note and require application, not just recall.

Building Community

Start with Connection -- Begin each session with a brief check-in, greeting, or low-stakes question.

Office Hours -- Offer regular times when students can drop in for help or just to chat.

Personal Touch -- Individual messages, video feedback, and personal check-ins matter even more online than in person.

Use the AI lesson plan generator to create lessons designed for online or hybrid delivery.