Adapting to Online Learning: How to Help Out your Teacher in the Pandemic

Students aren’t the only ones adapting to online learning, but our beloved teachers as well. Remaking their syllabus for online classes has probably exhausted them to no end. But what’s even more exhausting is the fact that they’re seated all day giving out lectures through what’s probably a crappy internet connection.

It’s already difficult enough to keep everyone’s attention in a classroom setting. Now imagine what a nightmare it is to do that in a Zoom call. Yeesh.

So like the good role model students we are, here are some ways you can help make your teacher’s life easier in little ways.

---

1. Keep yourself from unnecessarily laughing.

It’s no secret that you’re probably on Messenger chatting away with friends while you’re all on the same Zoom call. And more likely than not, you’re keeping yourself entertained with memes and jokes that have nothing to do with your teacher or the lecture.

Unfortunately, your teacher probably does not know this and may get pretty distracted if they see you giggling. It’s only normal for someone presenting to assume that they said or did something funny if they see the audience laughing.

It was easy to hide giggles and laughter when the teacher was facing the blackboard. Now though, it’s not only difficult to do without getting caught, but it’s also rude.

2. Respond quickly.

“Can you guys see my screen,” your teacher calls out.

What happens after is probably an awkward two-second silence where everyone just waits for a brave soul to say yes. Why not be the one to answer your teacher? It’s literally just one word that you have to say and it’s impossible to get the question wrong.

Adapting to online learning means proactively keeping the communication process between teachers and students as smooth as possible. And as we know, communication is a two-way street.

I’m sure your teacher will appreciate a quick reply in any question they ask rather than wondering for a split-second if their internet connection is choppy. Nobody likes awkward silences… but nobody likes awkward silences in video calls even more.

So anytime your teacher asks a question to the entire class, either unmute to answer, leave a message in the Zoom chat, or just nod.

3. Don’t prank them.

Unless your teacher is a certified prankster or you know that they can take it, do not prank them. Yeah, we’ve watched all the videos of students turning off their cameras and changing their names to “Reconnecting” so the teacher thinks that something is wrong with their internet.

Sure it was funny months ago, but now, it’s just unoriginal. And probably annoying for the teacher who just wants to finish the lecture.

4. Stay on mute.

It’s just proper Zoom etiquette! If you have nothing to say, don’t forget to keep yourself muted. No one wants to hear your electric fan in the background or the sound of your mother nagging at you in the background.

Okay, maybe we want to hear that.

But it would definitely be better for your teacher and classmates if you kept the room a bit more conducive for learning by muting yourself.

5. Don’t be a ghost.

Instead, be easy to contact. This goes beyond the online lectures on Zoom, and has to do with the fact that physical distance means it’s harder for your teacher to know how you’re doing.

We know everyone is just in different mental states right now living through a pandemic and economic unrest. Because of that, some of us will eventually need to take mental breaks from school. And believe it or not, most teachers care about their students’ wellbeing.

Hence, we are encouraging you to send over an e-mail to your teacher if you’ll need to be absent.

Some of them may get worried if you go AWOL even for just one class. So while we realize it may be difficult to do, it would be best to inform them beforehand. It’s a vital part in the process of adapting to online learning. Or at the very least, update them why you didn’t attend the class once you’ve returned.

6. Don’t let them chase you.

When it comes to projects and requirements, submit them within the deadline. There are kind and sympathetic teachers who would chase after you even after the deadline just so you’ll be able to pass the class.

This is especially true when it comes to thesis.

Now in a virtual setting, chasing a student is harder to do. Imagine making your good-willed teacher exhausting all means possible to try and reach you. I know there are people reading this who, out of shame, tend to ghost their teacher or class when they have failed to submit a requirement.

Don’t be that person.

Not in this pandemic.

7. Just go along with it.

Look, your teachers are doing their hardest to keep classes engaging and fruitful. There will be times when they do something or ask you to do things that will make you think, “WTF? What is the point of this?”

It’s easy to complain when you’re merely watching their syllabus unfold without seeing all the preparations that they have done for the class. Everyone’s lives has turned upside down because of the pandemic, including your teachers. So just imagine how tired they are.

The fact that they show up every day trying to make online classes work is a testament to how dedicated they are to their job. Just like us, they probably didn’t want to push through with online classes anyway.

But they’re there.

So if they tell a corny joke or make you do something stupid, just go along with it. Don’t make their life harder than it is. Maybe you can tell them how it isn’t working afterwards, but the important thing is you let them do their job without your cynicism getting in the way.

---

In short, be nice to your teachers who are adapting to online learning. It’s a great time to practice empathy as we move forward with online classes. The rules have changed, and that means we can’t blame a teacher’s shortcomings (or short temper) on them anymore.

Everyone is living in different circumstances after all. Teachers: they’re people too!

We know online classes can be super taxing! That’s why we prepared some tips on how you can mentally survive them. Never miss out on anything by following us @ZoomersCornerPH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

---

Featued Image: Julia M. Cameron on Pexels