DISCIPLINE IN THE REALM OF NEW LEARNING

Aileen Joyce B. Ponio

Classroom management is one of the hardest part of teaching. Discipline also applies to the new way of learning i.e is virtual learning. Just like traditional way of managing the class some of the strategies that we employ before are still related to how we will manage our virtual classroom. Here are some pointers that we may consider.

1. Put distractions away. Ask students to put away phones, toys and other distractions. It is also necessary to discuss this to parents during orientation.

2.Treat the webcam like a person. It will be better if the cam will not be off when discussing. Remind students to sit infront of the computer. Show proper eye contact and always smile.

3.Impose a dress code. This needs not to be fancy but should be as simple as possible. Encourage them not to wear pajamas as if they just pop out of their beds.

4.Address discipline issues fast. Deal with discipline issues as soon as they arise with no exceptions but not in a harsh way.

5.Add visual cues to your lessons. You may use images as visual cues like for example a pen and paper is a cue for themo to write. As students get used to this icons and images a routine will be established.

6.Establish signals. Decide on what students will use if they have questions like showing thumbs up or simply raising a hand. You may use hand signals too like when you want to catch everyone’s attention.

7.Hold class wherever you can hold students’ attention. Zoom and google meet can change their backgrounds. You could hold class on backgrounds that may catch the attention of the students.

8.Create a Q\question parking lot. Online classroom delimits the ability of speaking effectively at a time. You can utilize the chatbox where students can make side comments and inquiries that the teacher may read.

Next time you meet your class virtually, try this out!

The author

--oOo-

is Teacher-III at Betis Elementary School, Guagua East