LETTERS: Many wonder what type of teachers could withstand the Covid-19 era and beyond. Universities, locally and abroad, have conducted research on effective teaching during the pandemic. Much depends on the teachers or educators.
A teacher should thoughtfully and passionately organise the curriculum. One must be well versed in the content and ensure that there is a balance between the needs of individuals, small groups and the whole class and the requirements of the learning outcomes of a topic.
Teachers can switch, upgrade or downgrade pre-planned lessons in a face-to-face classroon. But when they teach online, teachers need to be alert and keep the conversation and interaction going smoothly to ensure that students are engaged, physically and mentally.
Imagine listening to a teacher explaining for 20 or 30 minutes about an unfamiliar topic. For sure, I will lose concentration.
Thus, teachers need to be creative in engaging students by injecting some humour and fun into the lessons. They must put themselves in the shoes of the students.
The lessons conveyed to students must be clear, simple and meaningful. If students do not pay attention in a real-life classroom, teachers can always take five and ask them to do some physical exercise.
The same could be applied in a virtual classroom too. Students should be given short breaks, during which time the teacher may tell jokes or play an action song for students to follow.
The joy of learning should continue, no matter what the platform of teaching is.
Teachers should try to connect with every student. The characteristics of an effective teacher include having empathy, authenticity, compassion, warmth, curiosity, excitement and mutual respect. The teachers' voice and tone enhance the students' learning process.
It has been more than a year since children, from preschools to universities, are learning virtually. The teachers must create the ground for excitement and curiosity during lessons. There is much room for research, analysis and self-reflection on the students' part.
When teachers teach about a healthy diet, students may do research on the food prepared at home and share the information with others during online lessons.
Visuals can be used to make the session more interesting. When teachers build a strong rapport with their students in a virtual classroom, the issue of absenteeism will not arise.
As for students who do not have Internet data or proper technology to attend online classes, perhaps teachers can take up the challenge and solve that problem too.
Associate Professor Dr Vishalache Balakrishnan
Director, Centre for Research in International and Comparative Education; Coordinator, SULAM@Service Learning, Universiti Malaya