How do I Teach English in Distance Learning?
Teaching English in a distance-learning class is not much different from teaching it in a traditional classroom setting. The instructor covers the same topics: grammar, punctuation and composition. However, there is a marked difference in the method of delivery.
Most distance-learning classes are taught in online forums like those developed by course-management systems such as Blackboard and Moodle. Some schools use their own systems, which are created and then maintained by their technology departments.
Some instructors use MSN Messenger, webcams or Internet telephone networks. In all cases, instructors follow certain steps in preparing for and teaching the course.
Things You'll Need
- High-speed Internet access
- Word-processing program
- E-mail account
- Telephone service
Instructions
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Guidelines
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Post a detailed syllabus, which is an outline containing the main points of a course of study. A good syllabus for distance learning provides students with complete details regarding the course and, therefore, includes not merely a course description (the topics to be covered and the course's learning objectives) but also the following:
Faculty contact information (telephone number or numbers and e-mail address)
Classroom policies (attendance and participation requirements, etc)
Grading formula (Grade range, for example, A to F, with corresponding numerical value)
Point value of assignments
Required readings (Textbook chapters each week and any supplementary readings)
Detailed descriptions of assignments (Word count, formatting, etc)
Assignment due dates (Day and time)
Directions for submitting assignments (Post in folder or forum, or submit as e-mail attachment)
Penalty for late assignments (Percent per day)
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Provide learning materials. In the online learning environment, although students have required textbooks (either print or electronic), you should post supplementary learning materials in a designated folder or forum where students can easily access them and then either read the materials, print hard copies or save them to their computers. These materials can be created in various software programs, including Word, PowerPoint and Adobe. For an English class, the materials most likely will address topics such as grammar, punctuation and composition. You can, however, also post lectures, paper-formatting guidelines (APA or MLA) and even links to additional resources or interactive-learning sites.
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Lead lively class discussions. A proven way to facilitate learning is through discussion. Therefore, in the online-learning environment, students are usually required to participate actively in discussions of course-related topics, and it is your responsibility as instructor to develop questions that will lead to lively discussions.
You need to participate in the discussions by interjecting comments and asking thought-provoking questions.
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Furnish detailed feedback. You should provide students with detailed feedback and do so in a timely manner. Grade and return assignments as quickly as possible, but don't cut corners for the sake of time. Provide students with a weekly breakdown of their performances by telling them in what areas they need to improve and in what areas they are meeting or exceeding expectations.
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Tips & Warnings
When teaching English or any other subject in the distance-learning environment, you should maintain an active presence in the classroom since students invariably have questions that should be answered as soon as possible in order to promote continued learning. Moreover, if you are actively involved in a class, students are far more apt to see you not as some robotic cyber-entity but as a real person, as well as someone who genuinely cares whether or not they succeed.
References
- Photo Credit woman with computer in the office image by Oleg Berlov from Fotolia.com
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