Traditional teaching is usually one of compliance. Students need to BE QUIET, LOOK at the teacher, LISTEN, and then respond to the teacher’s questions. This usually leads to disengagement because the student is basically PASSIVE. No wonder, during virtual teaching, the disengagement is even more evident. Being away from school and separated from the teacher through a screen, the alienation becomes bigger and kids cannot connect to what is happening in class.
Something that might be of help is to give kids VOICE & CHOICE. What does this mean? Allow students to have input in what is being taught. Yes, I know. You are the teacher, and you have a curriculum to teach. BUT, how you teach it and in which order doesn’t really affect its effectiveness.
Students love it when they get empowered and can choose what to do. Here are some specific tips:
- Create a choice board with all the activities you want them to do for the day and let them choose in which order to do them.
- Simply tell them “today, we are going to do this, this, and this. Where would you like to start?”
- When being evaluated, ask them to choose between a paper quiz, a presentation, or an audio recording.
- Provide them with surveys to get feedback about what is working and what is not.
- Tell them the topics you are planning to address in the coming weeks and ask them if they would like to add or modify something. Yes, they can help you!
These are just a few suggestions. Of course, you need to adapt to your students’ needs and ages. Yet, never underestimate their input. I have had the best feedback and ideas from my students. Having a choice makes them empowered and more involved in their learning. Thus, everybody is happier. Do you have other suggestions, ideas that worked for you, or questions? Let me know.