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Dealing with issues in online lessons
Dealing with issues in online lessons.
© UCLES 2021
No matter how experienced we are in teaching online, issues will arise that we need to deal with.
Task
Match problems 1-6 to solutions A-F. Do the matching task interactively here.
| Problems | Solutions |
| 1) A learner can’t get their audio or video to work even though they say their speakers and microphone are working. | A) Make it clear at the start of a course what your expectations are regarding answering questions. Make sure learners know they are all expected to do so. |
| 2) A learner constantly speaks over other learners, or calls out when asked not to. | B) Mute all, or problem learners, so that they are unable to distract others. This could come after a warning (younger learners). |
| 3) A learner is very shy and refuses to speak or fails to participate. | C) Make it clear at the start of a course what your expectations are regarding collaboration so that learners know to take turns to speak |
| 4) The same few learners put their hands up to offer an answer or type their answers in the chat box. | D) Ask the learner to turn off their video as this can help. |
| 5) Some learners dominate group work in breakout room activities. | E) Ask the student to exit the platform and come back in again. Often this solves the problem. |
| 6) A learner’s connection is unstable. | F) Build the learner’s confidence by asking them to answer via the chat box to you privately so they participate. Make sure they have enough support and give praise. |
Please note down your answers on a piece of paper
Reflect and share
If you’ve experienced issues in online lessons as a teacher, please share how you dealt with it in the comments below so that others can gain from your experience.
© UCLES 2021
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