Online micro-teaching

The online space allowed me to experience preparing a lesson that incorporates digital features and exposed me to using new online tools. I was able to use various websites and online platforms in order to present this lesson.

The aspects of the online space that I liked

The aspects about the online teaching space that I liked was that it allowed for more collaboration and interaction with the learners. The online space allowed me to use a variety of different digital tools that accommodated all the various learning styles such as through the use of the Power Point slides, learners who learn through visualisation were able to understand the concepts taught by observing the messages that the images displayed and the content that the slides contained. Learners who are auditory learners were able to listen to the concepts being taught and were able to interact with their fellow peers in answering questions that were posed to them, which assisted in furthering their knowledge. The Kahoot quiz, that was used at the end of this online lesson, allowed kinaesthetic learners to engage with the content taught as this allowed these learners to experiment and challenge themselves in order to gage with the topic of this lesson.

The aspects of the online space that I disliked

The aspects about the online teaching space that I disliked was that it was difficult to identify if the learners understood the content that was taught as I was not able to observe their facial expressions and body language. I also disliked that I was not able to use physical objects to further explain the topic of this lesson, such as by using a calendar to elaborate on determining how many days there are in a given number of weeks and determining how many weeks there are in a given number of months. I also could not include any physical engaging activities, within this lesson, as the online space is very limiting with regards to the activities that one can incorporate. This online teaching space also made it difficult to connect with the learners as the interaction is very restricting behind a computer screen and it is difficult to monitor what the learners are actually doing behind their device.

The new skills that I learnt through this experience

The new skills that I learnt through this experience is that there are various ways in which one can give feedback to the learners. For example, on the online space, feedback can be given through the means of using different emoji's, such as asking the learners' to use an emoji of their choice to describe how they feel about the content that was taught or to use 'the hand raising' option on Blackboard Collaborate to ask or answer a question. The new skills that I learnt through this experience is how to adapt the prescribed CAPS curriculum to teach on an online lesson, such as by incorporating digital tools like Google Jamboard to solidify the concepts being taught and a Kahoot quiz for learners to apply the knowledge that they have learnt throughout this lesson. The new skills that I learnt through this experience is that it is important to create a stimulating virtual learning environment through the means of using different digital platforms to foster the learners' learning abilities.

What I would do differently

The aspects of this lesson that I would do differently is to perhaps incorporate a 'multiplication tool' or a 'multiplication chart', where learners would be able to use these tools to assist them in determining the answers to questions based on the topic of calculating the length and the passing of time. I would also incorporate a digital tool, such as an online whiteboard where I would be able to further explain the concepts that were taught and to engage the learners more within this lesson. This would assist learners in being able to visually observe the concepts of determining how many days there are in a given number of weeks and how many weeks there are in a given number of months. I would also include another online game, where learners would be able to determine the amount of days, weeks and months through using this online tool which would allow for me, as the teacher, to identify if the learners have understood the concepts that have been taught or if more lessons need to be prepared in order to reinforce these concepts.

The appropriate tools that I chose to teach my online lesson

I did choose appropriate tools to teach my online lesson as the Power Point slides that I incorporated were precise and contained important information regarding the topic that was taught and appropriate examples were also included within these slides. These Power Point slides allowed for learners to actively engage within the lesson and to also interact with the questions that were posed to them. The Kahoot quiz was also an appropriate tool that was integrated within this lesson as this allowed me, as the teacher, to identify if the learners understood the concepts that were taught within this lesson and this was also a way for learners to participate and interact with the topic that was taught. The third tool that I incorporated within this lesson was a Google Jamboard, where the concepts of this lesson were solidified and the terms that were taught to the learners were reinforced.

How this experience has developed me to teach in a school

This experience has developed me for teaching in a school as it has allowed me to understand how important it is to use a variety of different activities that accommodate all the learners' learning styles, within the classroom, and that it is vital to include interesting and exciting activities for learners to engage and interact with. This online teaching experience has developed me for teaching in a school as I have realised that I need to include a number of concrete tools when teaching face-to-face in order for learners to visually understand what is being taught and for learners to actively participate within this lesson. This experience has prepared me for teaching in a school as it has made me realise that digital tools can be used within the classroom and that there are a number of fun activities for learners to engage with online, within all different subjects, and that I should incorporate more of these online based activities when preparing and teaching lessons.

This online lesson aided me in developing my skills within the digital space and allowed me to experiment with different online sites in order to present this lesson to the best of my ability.