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Find outCrises invariably become catalysts for the emergence of new ideas and approaches. The transition of schools and universities to distance learning has initiated a unique educational experiment that includes the widespread integration of technology into the educational process. Communication between teachers and students has become more informal through the use of chats and instant messengers. Lessons have transformed into online conferences and video recordings, which has changed traditional teaching methods. The use of online shared documents, virtual whiteboards, and "rooms" in Zoom and other video conferencing platforms has become everyday practice. Distance learning not only expands access to educational resources but also promotes the development of new skills necessary for the modern world.
American educational experts from Pennsylvania State University, including Ed Glantz, Chris Gamrath, Lisa Lense, and Jeffrey Bardzell, presented an overview of the innovations in the educational process caused by the coronavirus epidemic. Their article, published in Educause Review, analyzes the key changes and adaptations that have occurred in the education system during the pandemic. These changes include the implementation of distance learning, the use of new technologies and assessment methods, and the revision of pedagogical approaches, which have significantly altered the educational landscape.
Cooperative Online Learning
Online documents available for collaborative editing, forums, online whiteboards, and other similar tools greatly facilitate interaction between students. These technologies allow teachers to monitor the progress of their students in real time and provide necessary assistance if difficulties arise. Collaborative work in a digital environment not only increases the effectiveness of the learning process but also develops teamwork skills in students.
Online learning tools will be useful even after the mandatory distance learning format is cancelled. They provide comfort for those who experience difficulty speaking in front of an audience or find it difficult to express their thoughts, especially if the training is conducted in a foreign language. Online technologies make it easy to share solutions to problems, promptly check assignments, and provide feedback. This contributes to more effective learning and the development of communication skills.
Virtual rooms in video conferencing applications have become an effective platform for exchanging ideas. In Zoom, this feature is called "breakout rooms" and allows participants to be divided into small groups. Teachers can use these "rooms" to discuss various topics, challenging participants to find solutions to problems or formulate conclusions based on their research. This promotes deeper engagement and improves the quality of interaction.
At the end of the lesson, students can collaborate with their roommates to summarize the lesson, discuss key ideas, and identify any unclear points. Teachers can enter these rooms, observe the discussions, and answer any questions that arise. This demonstrates effective collaboration among students, as well as interaction between teachers and students.
Learning Assistants
The transition to remote learning has demonstrated that today's young people are confident in the language of technology. They are capable not only of mastering new tools but also of assisting teachers in this process. Proactive students and students acting as teaching assistants have played a key role in organizing distance learning during the pandemic, becoming true heroes of this period. Student assistants play a vital role in the educational process by initiating and moderating discussions in messengers and chats. They can quickly respond to classmates' questions that might otherwise go unanswered by teachers. Additionally, student assistants support peers and teachers in resolving various technical issues, which promotes more effective learning and interaction in the learning environment.
Assistant teachers with good knowledge of technology can effectively test and recommend modern educational programs to teachers. One such tool is VoiceThread, which allows you to add audio and video comments to presentations. This improves interaction with students and makes the learning process more engaging and interactive.
Chat Communication
In the context of distance learning, communication between teachers and students in chats has become commonplace. For young people, this format of interaction is the norm. Admitting in a written message that you did not understand the teacher's explanation is often easier than doing it in class. This approach promotes more open communication and helps students feel more comfortable in the learning process.
It is important for teachers to familiarize themselves with the benefits of online conversations. One illustrative example is an experiment conducted by an American teacher. She recorded her lecture on video and then watched it with her students, discussing the material in the chat. To create a comfortable atmosphere and reduce students' shyness, the teacher began to critique her own methods of presenting information. This approach not only promotes more open discussion but also helps students better retain the material. Using online conversations in teaching opens new horizons for interaction between teachers and students, making the learning process more effective and engaging. She noted that the phrases she used weren't as clear as she would have liked and suggested alternative wording. She also shared links to films, images, and memes related to the topic under discussion. She observed that this significantly engaged the students and inspired them to submit their own examples. These approaches facilitated more active participation in discussions and a deeper understanding of the material.
Video Recordings of Lectures
In the era of distance learning, video recordings of lessons have become an integral part of the educational process. This feature is extremely useful for both students and teachers. Students can use it to fill in gaps in their knowledge if they missed a lesson or to review the material for better assimilation. Teachers, in turn, can use the recordings for self-analysis, assessing the quality of their delivery and identifying areas for improvement. Thus, video recordings of lessons contribute to more effective learning and improve the quality of the educational process.
Video recordings of lectures are a valuable resource for students whose native language is not the language of instruction. They can listen to the material at a slower pace, which promotes better comprehension. If the instructor is unable to conduct the class for any reason, it is also possible to pre-record the lecture. Furthermore, the asynchronous format of online lectures is ideal for students in different time zones, allowing them to study at a convenient time. This makes learning more accessible and flexible for all students.
Improving online lectures can significantly improve the user experience. Adding subtitles is recommended, which is especially useful for those who are not native speakers of the lecture language. It is also worth implementing time codes to help users easily find and re-watch specific sections of the recording. These changes will make the learning process more effective and comfortable.
Teachers will find it helpful to familiarize themselves with platforms such as Kaltura. This platform not only allows you to enhance video lectures with additional features like quizzes and subtitles, but also collects and analyzes digital data about viewers. This information helps optimize the content of video lectures. For example, Kaltura allows you to learn which sections of the video users watched and re-watched most often, which fragments they frequently skipped, and which days have the highest viewing activity. The use of such analytical tools helps improve the quality of educational content and adapt it to the needs of the audience.
