This webinar, led by Carl from The TEFL Org, debunks five common myths about online teaching [00:43].
Here’s a summary of the myths and Carl’s counterarguments:
Myth 1: Online teaching is dead. Carl argues that online teaching was growing in popularity even before the pandemic and continues to have many job opportunities advertised on various platforms like tefl.org, eslcafe.com, and tefl.com [02:52]. Students are also more open to online learning than they were a decade ago [04:32].
Myth 2: Online teaching is less interactive. Carl emphasizes that online lessons can be dynamic and interactive if planned and delivered well [05:55]. He suggests using tools like interactive whiteboards, breakout rooms, quizzes, multimedia, collaborative documents, and games to engage students [06:55]. He also notes that a lack of interaction can occur in face-to-face lessons as well [07:46].
Myth 3: You can’t build rapport with students online. Carl refutes this, stating that some of his most memorable student connections have been through online lessons [0008:54]. He advises building rapport through personalized feedback, active participation in breakout rooms, being authentic, and actively listening to students [09:37].
Myth 4: Technology is too complex and will fail. While acknowledging that tech issues can happen, Carl stresses that they can be quickly resolved with proper planning and experience [12:12]. He recommends teaching yourself the technology, having a backup plan for potential issues, and keeping the technology simple for students [13:18].
Myth 5: Online teaching is easier. Carl argues that online teaching often requires more detailed preparation than face-to-face teaching [16:08]. It demands different skills, such as digital content creation, providing tech support to students, and giving clear instructions for online activities [17:30].
Carl also addresses a bonus myth: You have to be tech-savvy [18:42]. He states that basic tech skills are necessary, but a willingness to learn is more crucial because technology constantly evolves [19:29]. He advises starting with simple tools like Zoom and shared documents and gradually building up [20:50].
Key takeaways from the webinar include that online teaching is a learnable skill, preparation is crucial, embracing available tools is important, and the focus should always be on the learner [21:12]. Carl also suggests that online teaching can be a valuable part of an ELT professional’s diverse skill set [32:34].
