MicroTeaching Reflection

1. What did you like and dislike about online teaching?

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Online teaching and learning can be described as a different experience as compared to the traditional classroom. With online teaching, comes both advantages and disadvantages as all situations have. With online learning comes a sense of flexibility where both teachers and learners may participate in a lesson from any location and time, and learners may rewatch concepts if they are unsure or if they have any misunderstandings or miscommunication.

Next, online learning allows for an abundant use of resources that each learner can access as they are using devices. To enhance learning, online learning provides ample opportunities for multimedia and digital tools.

On the other hand, with online learning there is a lack of physical presence, teachers may not see if their learners are engaged, if they are merely alright or if they are present (if their camera is not switched on) while they also are easily distracted as they attend lessons from the comfort of their homes.

 

2. What new skills did you learn through this experience?

From this experience, I have learnt how to work through a new platform, in this case, Blackboard Collaborate. I can say I have developed a sense of digital literacy and competency as I feel proficient in working with the various online tools used for teaching and communication. With this, virtual classroom management is by checking if learners are still listening, if they are involved and so by making use of other methods to test for their attention rather than asking “Are there any questions.” Lastly, multimedia integration where the lessons incorporated animations and interactive simulations.

 

3. What would you do differently?

Although I have included questions, I would ask deeper questions to probe the learners thinking, to ensure they understand the content and if not, attempt to reexplain using other methods. I too would include extra pictures such as how energy changes from one form to another or how they look separately, this may have bettered their understanding. I too would have created more interaction between the learners, allowing them to collaborate. Lastly, I would have made use of differentiation in the assessment and provided clearer instructions.

 

4. Did you choose appropriate tools to teach your online lesson, explain why.

I believe my online tool was sufficient. I made use of a website called Nearpod to design my lesson where they offer a variety of teaching resources such as VR and interactive simulations. This website also allowed for polls to be conducted as well as quizzes and open-ended questions to be asked. I believe this helped the teacher gain an understanding of the learner's thoughts and the learners a better idea of the content. Ultimately, this website is user-friendly, interactive and compatible with various devices.

 

5. How has this experience developed you for teaching in a school?

This experience has provided me with experience to work in new situations, if the time comes when I need to work online, I will have an idea and this will result in me being better prepared and less anxious. It has provided me with adaptation skills.

Next allowing me to familiarise myself with the platform and other resources, technological proficiency has increased along with flexibility in terms of teaching strategies.

Lastly, for the betterment of the learners, a learner-centred approach was made clear where I have a better understanding of the individual needs of learners.