Being a virtual teacher absolutely has its perks. For educators, it can take the form of giving lectures and leading a class with an established university or teaching overseas. For learners, they can be teenagers or mature adults continuing their education traditionally or learning about specific and niche topics; all while learning in an online setting that is synchronous or asynchronous, fixed or adaptive, interactive, individual or collaborative. The options are endless and aren’t mutually exclusive!
If you’re on the fence, wondering how to navigate unfamiliar terrain and gain a little clarity about what it’s like to teach virtually, read on for a few key points. Even though the virtual school digital
divide is complex and still unfolding, there are many advantages to shifting learning online: (more…)
So you’re wondering how to start a support group online.
In light of a global pandemic, it’s been challenging for people to get the help and support they need. Being separated, and feeling disconnected, especially when in the throes of a mental health breakdown, trauma healing or in the middle of therapy treatment, it’s easy to feel derailed. Getting further away from the path towards healing can set anyone on a downward spiral.
But there’s hope – and lots of it. (more…)
Haven’t we all subscribed to more than a handful of newsletters and subscriptions? Getting content about our favourite things like video conferencing tips and tricks. Or an invitation to an important web conference; reminders about updates and upcoming online meetings. Anything that’s delivered directly to you saves you from having to go searching for it. If you want it, you got it! Just simply find that blog you love to learn from or that site you want notifications from, enter your email and you’ve got personalized content coming at you without having to spend another minute scouring the internet. Does it get any more convenient?
Except when you go into your email and you can’t find what you’re looking for. That great article you found the other day and subscribed to, where’s the latest post? And what happened to this week’s blog highlighting the best choices for video conferencing headphones you were looking forward to reading? It’s really disappointing to not see that invite or miss out on that blog post. (more…)
For educators who shape the minds of students time is a limited resource. Digital classrooms have helped to create better work/life integration (for both students and teachers) but time is of the essence, no less, and let’s face it; whether you’re in an online classroom or using video conferencing as a tool in a real classroom, schedules are jam packed with classes to plan, curriculums to unfold and a syllabus to adhere to. It’s not uncommon for teachers to feel overwhelmed by the amount of tasks that need to get done, let alone the infinity of marking that comes with the job. Educators have the power to instill knowledge and inspire students, but even in their prestigious role, they too only have 24 hours in a day. (more…)
Just like technology has taken precedence in our everyday lives, it’s also become a huge part of the classroom. The way in which students learn is far more engaging and hands-on than it was only years ago as more schools are ‘going digital.’ These fully integrated lessons supported by technology (rather than just using it as an aid) are creating a more dynamic environment for students to absorb course material. Perhaps one of the reasons adding technology to the classroom has been so beneficial is that students feel they are being spoken to and taught on their level in a digital language they can grasp.
There are plenty of ways tech is revolutionizing the classroom, and the online whiteboard is one of them. Much like a chalkboard, but exponentially better, it is able to convey information and help users describe complex thoughts. Not only does an online whiteboard allow users to draw, erase and place shapes into a completely virtual sketchpad, but you can also select multiple colors and shapes and draw on the go to help make your abstract idea concrete. This is only the beginning of what an online whiteboard can do. Here’s how it can positively impact the classroom as well: (more…)
When you’re running your own business you know how much heavy lifting goes on behind the scenes. A one-person operation might be scary, but there are so many ways it can go right, granted you put in the time, effort, and resources needed to see your baby take flight!
One way to get the job done is to recognize the power of clear and effective communication by hosting online meetings. As the solopreneur jack (or jill) of all trades that you are and have to be, one aspect of your business that needs care and attention is communications. (more…)
For any coaching business, your success is built on a one-on-one connection. This is why free online calling technology that includes video calls has been instrumental in the way in which coaches are able to conduct their services. Second to being in person, anyone from anywhere can have a face-to-face interaction with real-time conferencing, giving coaches the tools they need to be able to connect with their clients virtually.
In person, coaching gives you a sense of what your clients are saying even if they’re not really saying it. Nonverbal communication is critical in a coaching session and reveals a deeper understanding for a coach to gain insight – but since it’s not always possible to set up an in-person meeting, group communications technology offers an exceptional second option. Here’s how going virtual is a win-win situation for you and your clients. (more…)
One of the many factors every digital nomad, and remote team starting up their business has to consider on a regular basis is finding a clear, reliable, free video conferencing platform. After all, we are living in the remote working era. Being adequately hooked up to wifi with all the technological bells and whistles to stay connected wherever you are, from smack dab in the middle of a bustling city to a farmhouse in the country, is a necessity. And so is video conferencing you can depend on with features that empower remote work. Read on to discover exactly which ones enable more productive and less tiresome meetings – for free! (more…)
Student-teacher meetings are important for keeping the lines of communication open in an academic environment. When utilized for student-teacher meetings, conference calling is a useful tool that can allow for easier, more convenient dialogue between teachers and their students. In today’s blog, we’ll go over some of the ways in which teachers can use conference calling as well as some tips on how to set-up a conference call or online meeting. (more…)
From GPS maps to mobile apps, we’ve come to rely on technology for many aspects of our daily lives like navigation, banking, shopping, entertainment and...yes, education. In today’s blog, we’ll explore how web conferencing, screen sharing, and online apps are transforming the way students and teachers interact.
