In the classroom, the teacher is able to have consistent face-to-face contact with the student. He or she is able to get to know the student’s strengths and weaknesses by simply interacting with the child on a daily basis. There are many opportunities for the teacher to assess the child and adjust the lesson to his or her needs.
Knowing a virtual student is completely possible. The methods may be different than a traditional teacher but the outcome will be the same.
Using Technology to Know a Virtual Student
There are various tools available to meet with students in a virtual setting. The teacher’s school will most likely have an account with online web conference service. There are quite a few services out there but most of them have the same capabilities.
Using web conferencing, the teacher may use a whiteboard to teach a lesson. Any lesson can be taught using a PowerPoint presentation on a whiteboard. Math problems may be worked out, verbs and nouns in sentences may be identified or a story may be read aloud.
These conference services offer interactive tools so the student or the teacher may be the one working out problems on the whiteboard. Students can use writing tools, drawing tools, highlighters or pointers to identify the proper answers. Teachers are able to give instant feedback to students and re-teach a concept if necessary.
Skype is another way for a teacher to get to know a virtual student on a personal level. This free online service allows users to talk to each other around the world. Computers equipped with cameras allow the users to see each other while conversing.
Using Assessment Resources to Understand Student Weaknesses
Just as a brick and mortar teacher may assess a student at the beginning of the year to see where he or she is, academically, so can a virtual teacher. There are many online resources that may be used to assess students. There are tests, such as the Bader that may be administered using a web conferencing service.
The Bader allows the teacher to assess the student. It gives a fairly accurate reading as to what grade level the student is working on in math and reading. The Bader may be uploaded to a PowerPoint presentation and then administered through a web conferencing service.
The Scantron Performance Series is another online assessment tool, which allows teachers to accurately pinpoint student weaknesses in different subjects. The teacher is also able to pull up suggested learning objectives on which to work with the student. Virtual schools may have accounts with this company in order to use it with students.
Face-to-Face Meetings Brings Teachers and Students Together
Technology is wonderful and it has many uses. However, nothing beats human contact. If at all possible, a teacher meeting with a student in person can forge a deeper relationship. This is not always possible but when it is, every effort should be made to meet in person. Perhaps a family vacation will bring the teacher close to a student’s home. If at all possible, an extra 20 minutes meeting the student will reap benefits and give both teacher and student a thrill.
Being a virtual teacher has its unique challenges. Using the resources available, those challenges can be met creatively and successfully.
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