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Fuel Conversations and Connections in Various Ways

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Fuel Conversations and Connections in Various Ways

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Now more than ever, your students need to be able to connect with each other and with you in whatever way works best. Based on your students’ age, access, and the platform, find creative ways to keep students feeling connected to one another by having them engage with each other online. Comments, text-based chats, and short videos are just a few ways to fuel conversation.

Also, try to structure your learning opportunities to minimize frequent teacher and adult support. This helps boost students’ independence while giving parents, guardians, and older siblings a chance to breathe and focus on other things.

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7 Tips for Being a Great Virtual Teacher | Teach For America

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As schools remain closed during the COVID-19 outbreak, teachers are turning to virtual learning as a way to stay connected to their students. Here are some tips on how to lead from behind a computer screen.

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When you’re working with students who span the vast spectrum of learning difficulties and behavioural challenges, it’s pretty much a given that you will experience some trying days in the classroom.

The important thing to remember is that no matter what happens on any given day, always treat the next day as a fresh start. Progress can take time, and it’s your job to deal with classroom incidents in the most productive way possible.

That means that if a student makes a mess or lashes out at yourself or a fellow student, it’s better to deal with the consequences there and then – ask them to clear up or apologise to apologise so they can learn from their mistake, then put the episode behind you.

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Special educational needs (SEN) teachers play a crucial role in the lives of students who need extra learning support and guidance to help them reach their full potential.

Despite its challenges, most SEN teachers will tell you that working with students who have special needs is a remarkably rewarding career, and they're right.

If you're training to become an SEN school teacher, or if you're in the early stages of considering the role, these tips will help you understand and prepare for what to expect in this unique educational environment.

Prepare for complexity

As with most teaching roles, being a SEN teacher comes with its own complexities. After all, you'll be teaching students with different types of special educational needs who will automatically require more attention than the average mainstream student.

Many SEN children express themselves in ways that may cause harm to themselves or others, this can be overwhelming, particularly in the early days.

The trick to preparing for complex and potentially stressful situations is to remain calm and stay in control of any situation that may present itself. Remember that your TAs will be on hand to help and there are a number of support forums wherein you can discover effective ways to maintain a sense of safety and security in the classroom for both you and your students.

Start each day with a clean slate

When you're working with students who span the vast spectrum of learning difficulties and behavioural challenges, it's pretty much a given that you will experience some trying days in the classroom.

The important thing to remember is that no matter what happens on any given day, always treat the next day as a fresh start. Progress can take time, and it's your job to deal with classroom incidents in the most productive way possible.

That means that if a student makes a mess or lashes out at yourself or a fellow student, it's better to deal with the consequences there and then - ask them to clear up or apologise to apologise so they can learn from their mistake, then put the episode behind you.

Watch out for your wording

It's really important for you to be mindful of the language that you use when you speak to your students and their parents. Try to avoid using words that carry negative connotations, such as "slow" or "behind".

Instead, consider using positive framing to get your point across in a constructive way that doesn't upset or devalue. For example, "Billy is still catching up" or "Lucy requires extra thinking time."

Always have a plan B

https://www.senteacher.org/ [resources for class]

Even with the best will in the world, there will almost certainly be times when your students lose focus on the lesson at hand. During these times, it's super important to have a backup plan.

If your students are over-stimulated or are struggling to calm down, keep a social activity like role-play in your back pocket to help regain control of the class.

Remember that it's worth it

There is nothing more satisfying than helping a child to learn and develop vital life skills. Don't let the trials and tribulations fool you into thinking that it's all stress all the time, in actual fact it's one of the most rewarding jobs there is.
Here at Sugarman Education, we continuously work hard to deliver positive outcomes for children with special educational needs. What's more, many of our staff also volunteer to help support children within the schools that we work with. Learn more about becoming a SEN teacher.

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* 5 Useful Tips for Teachers New to SEN Education - Sugarman Education

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Special educational needs (SEN) teachers play a crucial role in the lives of students who need extra learning support and guidance to help them reach their full potential. Despite its challenges, most SEN teachers will tell you that working with students who have special needs is a remarkably rewarding career, and they're right.

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Time invested in lesson-planning always pays dividends. By waking up early on a Sunday morning to plan my week-ahead, I find that I can get really clear about:

1. The topics I’ll be covering.

2. The activities I need to do.

3. Any resources that I need to upload to my school’s virtual learning environment (Google Classroom, in my case).

4. The logistics of each lesson (where students will sit, where they will move during activities, etc.).

5. Any homework I need to set and collect in.

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An article by Richard James Rogers (Bestselling author of The Quick Guide to Classroom Management and The Power of Praise: Empowering Students Through Positive Feedback). Accompanying Video: I like it when colleagues share golden nuggets of hard-earned information: things that took a long time to figure out. Things that really work and are easy to implement. If you could list only three things that would maximize a teacher's impact in the classroom, then what would those three things be? The aim of today's blog post is for me to share my three top tips with the whole world - in the hope that those reading this will implement my suggestions. So, without further-a-do and without a lengthy CPD lesson plan that would be impossible to implement in real-life, let's take a deep-dive into some easy-to-implement strategies that offer maximum return-on-investment.
Top Tip Number 1: Get up early!
Getting up and out of bed well-before school starts is a habit that has paid me massive dividends in my career as a high-school teacher. Getting up early allows me to:

1. Read over my lesson plans for the day ahead.

2. Take my time in the morning and not rush, which puts me in a good mood.

3. Have breakfast and some coffee - helping me to be biochemically and physiologically ready for the day ahead (a subject matter which is not discussed enough in the teaching profession, in my personal opinion).

4. Get clear about any meetings or events I have to attend.

5. Do a little bit of exercise - giving me a good energy boost and a feeling of accomplishment before my day even starts!

6. Read over any topics I am unfamiliar with - giving me the confidence I need to deliver all of the content I need to.

7. Leave home on-time, and get to school on time.

Getting up early is a really basic skill but few adults ever really master it. I must admit that for me personally it took years to get into a good 'waking-up routine'. Once I had built-up momentum, however (through tremendous and painful self-discipline), the benefits came quickly. I was in a better mood at the start of each day and my lesson delivery improved dramatically.

Top Tip Number 2: Plan lessons well in-advance
Time invested in lesson-planning always pays dividends. By waking up early on a Sunday morning to plan my week-ahead, I find that I can get really clear about:

1. The topics I'll be covering.

2. The activities I need to do.

3. Any resources that I need to upload to my school's virtual learning environment (Google Classroom, in my case).

4. The logistics of each lesson (where students will sit, where they will move during activities, etc.).

5. Any homework I need to set and collect in.

6. When I'm going to mark work.

7. Any meetings or events I need to attend in the coming week.

8. Any reading-ahead that I need to do.

9. Any printing that I need to do.

I don't believe in planning lesson-by-lesson too far into the future: plans may change as time goes by (e.g. I may get through more material than planned on any particular lesson). However, I believe that a week's worth of planning, in advance, is highly appropriate and beneficial.

Top Tip Number 3: Use 'Live-Marking'
'Live-Marking' is basically a way of providing feedback to students in real-time (saving you a ton of after-school and weekend marking). There are two main live-marking strategies:
Strategy 1: Diffusive Live-Marking
This is really simple:

1. Set a task for your students to complete (it could be a Google Slides presentation, a worksheet to complete, some questions from their textbook to do, etc.)

2. When a few minutes have passed, 'diffuse' through the classroom by walking around with a marking pen in hand (I use a red pen).

3. Mark student work in real-time, as they are doing it. Of course - reinforce your written comments with verbal feedback (and you can even write 'verbal feedback given' or 'VF' on the work).

Hey presto - you just saved yourself an hour or so of after-school marking time!

Strategy 2: Absorptive Live-Marking

In this scenario, one can imagine the teacher being like a 'sponge' that 'absorbs' the students: instead of walking around the classroom to mark work in 'real-time', you sit at your desk (or at a designated 'consultation point' in the room) and call the students to your desk one-at-a-time.

Same result - you just saved yourself a ton of after-school marking time.

Which is better - absorptive or diffusive live-marking?

In my personal opinion, both forms of marking have their place.

Diffusive live-marking can actually double-up as an excellent behavior management technique - when you walk around the classroom and check work in real-time, pockets of low-level disruption tend to fade away because of the teacher's proximity. The disadvantage of diffusive live-marking is that it can be difficult to stand behind, or to the side, of a student and mark work on a crowded desk.

I tend to use absorptive live-marking more than diffusive as I am lucky enough to work in a school where the overwhelming majority of the students are very well-behaved. This means that I can call them to my desk one-at-a-time and the class will still stay on-task. A big advantage of the absorptive method is that I can give more detailed and personal feedback to each student and I have my whole desk-space to neatly mark the work on.

Here's a video I made about live-marking (very highly recommended):

We welcome you to join the Richard Rogers online community. Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter for daily updates.

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An article by Richard James Rogers (Bestselling author of The Quick Guide to Classroom Management and The Power of Praise: Empowering Students Through Positive Feedback). Accompanying Video: I like it when colleagues share golden nuggets of hard-earned information: things that took a long time to figure out.

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At the beginning of each class period, select a student to give a short summary of the main points of the last class.  This can help students who might have missed the last class and can help you understand what the students see as important.  In addition, it can help students work on their oral communication skills.
—From Successful Beginnings for College Teaching:  Engaging Your Students from the First Day, by Angela P. McGlynn (2001, Atwood Publishing)

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Faculty Development Centers and Resources

If you have good teaching tips you'd like to share, let us know!

Teaching Tip #1: Be Organized

If lecturing, put a short outline on the board or give handouts of the lecture. Check off topics on the board as you go through the lecture. Students will be reminded throughout the class period of where you have been and where you are going.
-Thanks to Gene Van Horn (UTC Biology and Environmental Sciences)

Teaching Tip #2: Make a list

Make a list of the favorite practices of your past teachers that helped you to learn. Make another list of your least favorite practices of your past teachers. Do the former and avoid the latter unless it will help the teaching process to bring in some of the unpleasant practices.
-Thanks to Gene Van Horn (UTC Biology and Environmental Sciences)

Teaching Tip #3: On Fear

Use fear sparingly. You might get students to study harder, but you might scare them away or cause them to give up too soon. It does not hurt to warn the class that a final exam will be harder than previous examinations. Sometimes mentioning difficulty will get their attention and help them resolve to conquer the material. Let them know that it's not you against the students, but you and the students against the material.
-Thanks to Gene Van Horn (UTC Biology and Environmental Sciences)

Teaching Tip #4: On Grading

Return papers as soon as possible. I try to return exams the next class period or post exam results in a timely manner. You will not save any time by putting off grading. You might even save time by avoiding having students coming by and asking about their grade. If you put off grading exams, you might send the message that exams are not important, or that the students should not be concerned.
-Thanks to Gene Van Horn (UTC Biology and Environmental Sciences)

Teaching Tip #5: Make it Worth Something

Make it worth something if you want them to do it. Even the best students will not bother to keep a lab notebook or a journal if they don't think you will collect them, read them, or reward them with a few points.
-Gene Van Horn (UTC Biology and Environmental Sciences)

Teaching Tip #6: Don't Fear Silence

Students will eventually talk. While we may think the silence is long, students need time to process your questions and to come up with answers. Give them a chance to think and they will eventually talk. In fact, you may want to silently count slowly to 10 or 15 to force yourself to wait enough time for students to think and respond.
-Kathleen Wheatley

Teaching Tip #7: Sample Quizzes and Tests

Provide students with sample quizzes and tests. Students can then become familiar with your style of asking questions and testing formats.
-Nicholas Boer

Teaching Tip #8: Get Feedback from Your Students

Periodically during the semester, especially at the end of a class in which much has happened, take five minutes to have students (anonymously) fill out index cards answering the following question: "What's the most significant thing you heard or the most significant thing that happened in class today?" Let students know that this doesn't just mean something that the instructor has said or done. The response could address any aspect of the class. Complete a card answering the question yourself.
Later, read through all the responses, select one or more that are provocative enough to be useful in subsequent classes, then read them aloud, discuss the issues they raise, etc. Even if you're unable to use one or more responses to follow up directly, these provide a good snapshot assessment of what's happening for students. Their choices are almost always very diverse, and, not surprisingly, very different from what I have chosen as most significant. Inevitably, this exercise acts as a rudder to move my teaching and learning closer to the learning of the students.
-David Garrison

Teaching Tip #9: Be Clear

Make sure your syllabus is very clear about how student grades will be calculated. Designate the percentages for each assignment, how much weight you will give each assignment and what your expectations for each assignment are.
-Susan McDonald and Charlie Stresino

Teaching Tip #10: Admit When You Don't Know

Be willing to admit you don't know an answer or tell the students you'll look something up and get back to them. This can promote ongoing learning. Be sure to remember to get back with them on the answer.
-Debra Phillips

Teaching Tip #11: Remember to Review

Begin each class session with a five minute interactive review of the concepts dealt with in the previous class session. Get students involved with the content!
-JoBeth Boyer

Teaching Tip #12: Use Real World Examples

Use practical, real world analogies to bridge the gaps between something students understand and new concepts you are trying to teach.
-Monte Helm

Teaching Tip #13: Vary Presentation Style

Try not to lecture for more than 20 minutes at a time. Break up your classes with other presentation techniques: group activities, videotapes, discussion, etc.
-Peter Symonds

Teaching Tip #14: Use Student's Names

Try to address students by name during teaching sessions--Learn as many as you can and work on the rest.
-Jim Gumnick

Teaching Tip #15: Small Group Discussions

Involve students in small group discussions and have them share important points through graphic organizers and concept maps.
-Sarah Sandefur

Teaching Tip #16: Encourage Students' Learning Strategies

Encourage students to use specific learning strategies by:

helping them to define their learning tasks

teaching them ways to organize their notes and class resources

teaching students about learning devices that may work in your discipline (mnemonic devices, concept maps, study diaries, etc.)

modeling cognitive strategies (think aloud while demonstrating problem-solving, admit when you don't know something and outline how you'd find out, etc.)

-Excerpt from McGlynn, Angela Provitera (2001). Successful beginnings for college teaching, Madison, WI: Atwood Publishing, p. 73.

Teaching Tip #17: Provide Examples

Show your students examples of both good work and poor work, from previous classes.

Teaching Tip #18: Help Students Review and Study

List and submit review questions and divide the students into small groups to discuss and provide group answers and solutions. Ask groups to talk about their different answers (if they have them) and to determine a correct answer.
-Larry Lyda

Teaching Tip #19: Outline Criteria

Outline your assessment criteria. Outline how you grade, what your expectations are and what criteria you will use for grades early on. While most of us list these things in a syllabus, be sure to point out your expectations to the students early on and be as clear as you can about what criteria constitutes A, B, C, D, etc. work.

Teaching Tip #20: Listen

Listen to what students have to say. Tell and show your students you care about what they have to say. Don't cut them off, belittle their comments, etc. or soon they will learn not to participate, ask questions, etc.

Teaching Tip #21: Add Variety to the Classroom

Vary your teaching style: lecture, provide group activities, conduct discussion groups, and plan for other teaching styles to capture all of your students into your content and discipline.
--Thanks to Chris Ryan, UTC Lupton Library

Teaching Tip #22 : Be Enthusiastic!

Be enthusiastic! Come into your class dragging, and chances are your class will drag. Be enthusiastic about your topic and your class will "catch" that enthusiasm. Try to convey your love of your discipline to your students.
-Brian O'Leary, UTC Psychology Department

Teaching Tip #23: Keep Students Informed

Regularly update students on the progress of the course and the semester--where you are in the syllabus, where they are in their knowledge and skills. Relate where students are "now" with where they've been and where they are going.
-Manuel Santiago, UTC Chemistry Department

Teaching Tip #24: Don't Forget to Review

Before each lecture, I read over notes and gather my thoughts, no matter how familiar with the material. Every so often, I will think about a new way of teaching a particular topic or a new example to use. Even if I can't think of an improvement for my presentation, reading the material helps make the classroom presentation flow so that I'm not just following my notes.
-Gene Van Horn, UTC Biology Department

Teaching Tip #25: Start on Time...

Don't let minds drift or conversations begin. Begin on time and plan activities that take the entire class period, especially at the beginning of the semester. Don't let students even begin to think that you don't value your time in class by cutting class short or "letting" them out early. If you require attendance of your students, please consider your actions as well... If you require students to be there on time, you need to be on time as well.

Teaching Tip #26: Watch for Boredom

You might lose some of your students no matter what the topic, what the hour, or which day of the week you teach. But, if too many tune out, you should consider changing something. It might be as simple as changing the volume of your voice, or the rate/pace you talk. You might begin to include interesting stories or anecdotes related to the classroom material
-Gene Van Horn, UTC Biology Department

Teaching Tip #27: Promote Student Success

At the beginning of each class period, select a student to give a short summary of the main points of the last class. This can help students who might have missed the last class and can help you understand what the students see as important. In addition, it can help students work on their oral communication skills.
-From Successful Beginnings for College Teaching: Engaging Your Students from the First Day, by Angela P. McGlynn (2001, Atwood Publishing)

Teaching Tip #28: Help Your Students Learn

Think about ways that you can help your students set short term academic goals--ones that are challenging, but attainable. For example, you might review some goals with a class that will be met over the next couple of weeks. After you have done that, ask your students to set their own goals dealing with a particular content area. The students could then outline what they need to do to meet those goals and identify what resources they need from you to help them meet those goals. By helping students realize what THEY do to control their own learning, you can help students begin to take responsibility for their own learning

Teaching Tip #29: One Minute Papers

These quick, short bits of writing can help students check what they know. Cut 8.5 x 11 sheets of paper into quarters. Hand out paper slips to your students or ask them to pick them up as they come into the classroom. Ask students to write an answer to a question about the content, lecture, or chapter for one minute (yes, time them!). Collect the papers for review or ask students to review each other's answers and discuss. If you want, you can just use this method as a quick way to check student attendance. You don't need to tell students whether or not the papers will be graded until after you collect the papers.
-From Teaching creatively: Ideas in action by Alison Morrison-Shetlar & Mary R. Marwitz (2001, Outernet Publishing, LLC)

Teaching Tip #30: Demonstrate Enthusiasm for Your Discipline

Are you a teacher that makes things happen, watches what happens or asks "what happened?" Enthusiasm about a subject matter (or a lack of such) is catching. If you're not enjoying your time in the classroom, your students won't either. And, as far as I know, fun is NOT the opposite of hard. So, you can be enthusiastic and having fun, while still challenging the students to think.
-Eison, J. (1990). Confidence in the classroom: Ten maximums for new teachers, College Teaching, vol. 33 (1). P. 21 - 25.

Teaching Tip #31: Pictures and Images

A Picture is Worth Thousands...Ask students to draw a pictures of their mental understanding of a topic or a concept. This is a great way for students to synthesize material and to visualize it in relation to other concepts. You might ask them to share their drawing with a classmate as a way to begin discussion on a topic.
--Morrison-Shetlar, A.I. & Marwitz, M. R. (2001). Teaching creatively: Ideas in action. Eden Prairie, MN: Outnet Publishing, LLC.

Teaching Tip #32: Student Feedback Can Help You Improve Your Teaching

Here are some questions you might want to ask your students to get a feel for how the class is going. What I usually do is give the students index cards and ask them to label each side...1 and 2. Then give the students 3 - 5 minutes to answer the following questions. (They do NOT have to put their names on the cards). I usually time the process (3-5 minutes). Questions to ask...

1. What do you think of the class so far?

2. If you were the professor, what would you do differently?

Teaching Tip #33: Ask Questions Frequently

Ask questions frequently during each class. Students will think if you make them do so. Try to make your questions thought-provoking. Try to ask "open-ended" questions--questions that may not have a single answer. Stay away from "closed-ended" questions--questions that can be answered with a simple, regurgitated answer, or a "yes" or "no." Be patient when waiting for answers. Count to five or ten slowly to yourself. If you answer your own question, then students will learn to let you do so--always! Give your students time to think before they answer the question.
-Browne, M. N. & Keeley, S. M. (1985). Achieving excellence: Advice to new teachers. College Teaching, vol. 33 (2), p. 78 - 83. For more information about developing questions, see Getting Them To Speak Up! Questioning Skills to Promote Discussion

Teaching Tip #34: Ask For Student Questions

Ask students to create the test questions...Ask students to submit test questions to you. Allow all of the questions submitted to be viewed by the students as a study tool. Pool all the questions and select questions from the list for your test. You might also want to discuss some of the "good" questions vs. poor questions from those that are submitted. This can also prompt a discussion of higher levels thinking.
-Morrison-Shetlar, A.I. & Marwitz, M. R. (2001). Teaching creatively: Ideas in action. Eden Prairie, MN: Outnet Publishing, LLC.

Teaching Tip #35: Cool Web Site to Increase Vocabulary

This web site is so cool... If you type in a word, several words appear with similar meanings. You can then click on any of those to get even more words. Check it out! http://www.visualthesaurus.com/online/index.html

Teaching Tip #36: Start each class with specific goals and objectives in mind

Plan specific educational goals and objectives for each class that relate to your overall goals and objectives. These should be directly related to what the students will learn in each class; not what you will presenting each class. Develop your goals and objectives around a variety of activities: demonstrations, experiential activities, specific critical thinking skills, writing skills, attitudes and values, etc., or the personal implications found in the course content.
-Eison, J. (1990). Confidence in the classroom: Ten maximums for new teachers, College Teaching, vol. 33 (1). P. 21 - 25.

Teaching Tip #37: Asking Questions

Ask only questions that will give you an idea of what the student is learning. Avoid "wasteful" questions like: "Does everyone understand?" "Are there any questions?" or "Is that concept clear?" Replace these with questions like: "What is your understanding of..." "Can you explain the concept of xxx in your own words?" ""What is the relationship between concept x and concept y?," "Why do you think so?" Plan out questions for each class session. Think about including higher order question like "What evidence is there for X?" or "What important information is missing from y?"
-Browne, M. N. & Keeley, S. M. (1985). Achieving excellence: Advice to new teachers. College Teaching, vol 33 (2), p. 78 - 83.

Teaching Tip #38: Teach More, Better

Don't overwhelm your students with your whole knowledge base. Focus on the course content and objectives. Spend more time on reinforcing those goals and objectives for the students who may have had little background in the course content area. By not overwhelming the students, their long term retention of the content should go up.
-Eison, J. (1990). Confidence in the classroom: Ten maximums for new teachers, College Teaching, vol. 33 (1). P. 21 - 25.

Teaching Tip #39: First Days: Opening Days-Getting Students Excited about Your Course

It's the first day of class--How many of your students come? How many of your students expect to be given the syllabus and then get to leave early? What message are you sending by not taking the this first opportunity to get your students pumped up about your course? Try to plan a fun activity that exposes the students to the content/discipline right off the bat. You might consider asking them to list ways in which the content can be useful to them in future careers or in their current daily life. You might ask them to solve some problems (which would also give you a sense of where they are in their current knowledge and skill). Think of ways to use the time to give the students the message that coming to class is important because they will do things that are not covered in the text and that help them make sense of the class content. Yes, you might review the syllabus, but you might also consider doing this last, just before the class period is over.
-Bennett, K.L. (2004). How to start a teaching a tough course. College Teaching , 52 (3), p. 106.

Teaching Tip #40: Encouraging Contact between Students and Faculty

Good Practice in Undergraduate Education...Encourages contact between students and faculty
Some ways to do this: Advise your students (not just advisees) about career opportunities in your field; share past experiences, attitudes and values with your students; attend events sponsored by student groups; know your students by name by the end of the second week of the term; make an effort to be available for your students outside of class; serve as a mentor or informal advisor to students.
-Chickering, Arthur W. and Gamson, Zelda F. (March 1987). Seven Principles For Good Practice In Undergraduate Education. [Online]. Available: http://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED282491. [2002, September 16].

Teaching Tip #41: Stimulate Classroom Discussion

Get those discussions started by beginning class with a discussion of an "issue of the day." Discussions can last for 10 - 15 minutes and can revolve around issues of the field or discipline, an issue from current events (as it relates to your course content), or a generic campus issue.

Teaching Tip #42: Good Practice in Undergraduate Education...Encourages Active Learning

Ways to do this: Ask students to present their work in class; ask students to summarize similarities and differences of theories, research, etc. as they relate to your discipline; ask students to relate outside experiences to the course content; ask students to undertake research or independent study; encourage students to challenge your ideas, the ideas of other students, or those ides presented in the reading material or other course material; give students concrete, real-life situations to analyze; use simulations, role-playing or labs as a part of your classes; encourage students to suggest new readings, research projects, field trips, etc. that relate to the course content; arrange field trips, internships, etc for students; carry out research projects with students.
-Chickering, Arthur W. and Gamson, Zelda F. (March 1987). Seven Principles For Good Practice In Undergraduate Education. [Online]. Retrieved from http://www.aahe.org/bulletin/sevenprinciples1987.htm. [2002, September 16].

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If you have good teaching tips you'd like to share, let us know! Teaching Tip #1: Be Organized If lecturing, put a short outline on the board or give handouts of the lecture. Check off topics on the board as you go through the lecture.

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As a teacher, you’ll need to administer your course, create materials, broadcast your class, interact with your students and grade their work. For efficiency, you’ll need a laptop, a desktop computer or a professional tablet.

Your students will also need a laptop or computer if they want to fully participate in your classes. However, smartphones or tablets with an internet connection can be used when there’s no alternative.

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Have you suddenly found yourself teaching online? You're certainly not alone. English teachers all around the world are in the same position - and it can be hard to know where to start.

In this guide, we'll cover 12 of the most important aspects of online teaching. You'll be planning and delivering excellent online English classes in no time at all! You can also download our Top tips for teaching English online.

1. Choose your platform and teaching tools

Before you start, you'll need to decide on a platform to deliver your online classes. Some teachers choose Google Classroom, which is a free online learning management service for schools. It facilitates collaboration, creativity, file sharing and grading - and of course works well with all other Google platforms, like G Suite for Education, Google Docs, Google Slides, and so on.

Introduction to Google Classroom

Alternatively, you could explore Flipgrid. Free for teachers to sign up, Flipgrid is designed for all levels of education - from pre-primary to postgraduate. It's especially good for sharing videos, collaboration and storytelling.

In addition, there's Zoom, a video conferencing and teaching platform which has exploded in popularity recently. It comes with a built-in interactive whiteboard, space for up to 100 students, file sharing, breakaway rooms for group work and chat features. Zoom has a generous free plan, though sessions can only last up to 40 minutes (at which point you would need to restart the lesson to continue or upgrade to a Pro account).

Skype is another option, however it will require all your students to download the software and create an account.

Google Hangouts is a useful tool if you have a Google account. Providing screen share, file sharing, live captions and chat, it's simple to use but is not specifically designed for teaching. Learners can sign in without a Gmail address.

Watch our Getting started with teaching English online webinar to learn more about online teaching platforms and decide which is right for your class. You can also download our Quick-start guide to teaching English online and our tips on How to choose the right online platform for your classroom.

2. Technology requirements

As a teacher, you'll need to administer your course, create materials, broadcast your class, interact with your students and grade their work. For efficiency, you'll need a laptop, a desktop computer or a professional tablet.

Your students will also need a laptop or computer if they want to fully participate in your classes. However, smartphones or tablets with an internet connection can be used when there's no alternative.

3. Privacy and safety online

When delivering any kind of class online, you needa to take safety and privacy seriously. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) ruling in Europe means teachers (and their schools) have the responsibility to treat their students' data carefully, safely and with respect. GDPR may also affect educators who work outside of Europe if their students live abroad.

The regulations provide sensible guidance for managing personal data so are well worth reading up on. Our article covering What you need to know about security when teaching learners online also has some really useful advice on safety.

4. Training

Dedicate a portion of your first class to helping your students get to grips with the technology. Even if you spend half of the first session doing so, it will save you time explaining things to individuals over and over again. Many online teaching and conferencing platforms also have guides and video explainers to help you get started.

You can even use these introductory videos as listening activities and play games on the whiteboard to try out functionality.

5. Space and resources

Where possible, set aside a dedicated area in your home or office to teach from. Make sure you have all the visual aids and materials you need to hand. This will help you feel you are in a classroom and will help you be more spontaneous and creative during your lessons. This is especially important in young learner classes, where you might need to change the pace of the class using flashcards, puppets or even costumes!

Encourage your learners to do the same and set up a designated study area. If your students are very young, ask their parents to help. This will help them get in the right frame of mind to focus on learning.

Additionally, ensure that nothing in view of the camera can identify your home address, any sensitive information like bank details, any book titles you wouldn't want to be associated with, any information about your children, etc. If this information is accidentally (or purposefully) shared online it can be a security risk.

6. Learning objectives

It can be difficult for students to adjust to online learning, especially when they're joining your class from their homes. Bring them into your lessons by starting all your classes with learning objectives.

Use your chat box or interactive whiteboard to share what you will cover during the class and explain what you expect from your students. This will help students focus and feel like they are in a regular classroom. At the end of the class, you can reflect on what you've done together and whether you have achieved what you set out to do.

7. Create a routine

Do your best to develop a routine in the classroom. This will help your students feel they're in a safe learning environment and makes giving instructions faster and more efficient.

For example, you can start with a warmer activity that involves all the students (for example, a game, a review or a few student-centred discussion questions), then go into your class objectives and review homework or project work. Also, make sure you mix study with energising games or mini-breaks and have students share their ideas.

8. Delivering instructions

Online teaching lets you deliver instructions to all your students verbally and in written format. You can also ask students to confirm their understanding in chat boxes and speak to individuals if they are unclear about what to do. Unlike in a physical class, every student can do this at the same time - so you can check everyone is on track.

Depending on which platform you use, there's a good chance you'll also be able to share your materials, documents and presentation slides, and display and use other activities like online quizzes and games with the class, which will help them follow along with ease.

9. Classroom management

Online classrooms can be easier to manage than physical ones. It's unlikely that you'll be interrupted by students whispering at the back of the class, passing notes or running around. However, you might be interrupted if students have their microphones on while you're speaking - and they can talk to each other via chat box and get distracted with irrelevant online content.

It's a good idea to have students mute their microphones while you are delivering input and have them close all other windows on their computers, so they are only focused on your class. Some platforms will allow you to mute participants' microphones too. This can be a good idea - it ensures the lesson runs smoothly and avoids unnecessary distractions and background noises. But be sure to let your students know why you are doing this, so they don't feel like they are being forcibly silenced. Tell students they can ask you questions in the chat box - either publicly or privately - so they feel comfortable and supported throughout the lesson. Read more of our top tips on keeping students' attention when teaching English online.

10. Student engagement

It's harder to engage with your students when teaching over a webcam connection. It pays to be a little larger than life on camera. Exaggerate your expressions and tone of voice slightly so they stay alert and interested in what you have to stay (just don't overdo it).

You can also keep them on their toes by having every single student in the class respond to your questions by typing in the chat box. That will ensure they pay attention. Incorporating fun digital tools such as Quizlet or Quizizz will help keep learners engaged too.

You could also use a spinner to nominate students for tasks and questions to build a sense of fun and suspense - or get students to nominate each other!

Remember, just because they're quiet doesn't mean they're not learning.

11. In-class group work

Mix up your activities to keep things interesting. Just because you're online, it doesn't mean students can't collaborate. Many platforms allow you to put students in pairs or groups to work together in designated chat rooms. As a teacher, you can drop in and out of these rooms to monitor how things are going, and give feedback just as you would in a regular class.

Google Docs, Etherpad (which requires a download and may be more suitable for older learners) and Dropbox Paper allow your students to work on collaborative writing.

You can also make use of your students' webcams. Flipgrid, for example, lets students record and share their own videos, which is great for making online presentations.

12. Grading and progress tests

Just as in any regular classroom, you'll need to track your students' progress - both during class and throughout their course.

Have students present their own ideas to the class using their webcams, and offer them progress tests through online forms and writing assignments. You could also test students using fun quiz software like Kahoot, or more formal online progress tests with Typeform's test maker.
Read more about measuring student progress in our article Assessing learning.
Find out more about teaching skills and language in an online classroom.

We have brought together our wide range of resources so that you can find the materials you need to support your students quickly, as you adapt to online teaching. You can find these materials on our Supporting Every Teacher page.

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12 tips for teaching an unforgettable online English class

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Have you suddenly found yourself teaching online? You're certainly not alone. English teachers all around the world are in the same position - and it can be hard to know where to start. In this guide, we'll cover 12 of the most important aspects of online teaching.

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This may also seem obvious, but the interactions teachers have with students has a big impact on learning – as well as the “classroom climate”. The report said that it was important to create a classroom environment that was “constantly demanding more” while affirming students’ self-worth. A student’s success should be atributed to effort rather than ability.

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The question of what makes a great teacher has been around for a long time. It's an enquiry that poses many problems because there's simply no set recipe for success, and different approaches work for different professionals and students.

The Sutton Trust has published a report that reviews the research into effective teaching, finding that popular practices, such as lavishing praise on students or allowing them to discover key things for themselves, actually have no grounding in research.

The author of the report, professor Robert Coe from Durham University, says this is a "starter kit" for thinking about what makes good teaching. So, what does the report recommend? Here are 10 salient points to take away:

1. Know your subject

The report, which looked at more than 200 pieces of research, found that there were six main elements to great teaching and one of the most important ones was subject knowledge. It may seem obvious, but the report found that the best teachers have a deep knowledge of their subject, and if that falls below a certain point it has a "significant impact" on students' learning. Targeted help for teachers, giving them an understanding of particular areas where their knowledge is weak, could be effective.

2. Praise can do more harm than good

The wrong kind of praise can be harmful for students, the report found. A number of studies conducted by education experts, including Carol Dweck professor of psychology at Stanford University and Auckland University professors John Hattie and Helen Timperley, have observed this.

Deborah Stipek, the dean of the Stanford Graduate School of Education, said that praise is meant to be encouraging but it can actually "convey a teacher's low expectations". Stipek said that if a pupil's failure was met with sympathy rather than anger then they were more likely to think they had done badly due to a lack of ability.

The report adds the caveat that the findings are open to interpretation, however, as teachers can do things well or badly, and some methods are not appropriate in all circumstances.

3. Instruction matters

The quality of teaching has a big impact on the achievement of students' from poorer backgrounds, and effective questioning and assessment are at the heart of great teaching. This involves giving enough time for children to practise new skills and introducing learning progressively. Defining effective teaching isn't easy, the report conceded, but research always returns to the fact that student progress is the yardstick by which teacher quality should be assessed.

4. Teacher beliefs count

The reasons why teachers do certain things in the classroom and what they hope to achieve has an effect on student progress. Mike Askew, the author of Effective Teachers of Numeracy, found that beliefs about the nature of maths and what it means to understand it, along with teachers' ideas about how children learn and their role in that process, was an important factor in how effective they were.

Evidence to support this is not conclusive, however. A study by professor Steve Higgins of Durham University and the University of Newcastle upon Tyne's David Moseley about teacher beliefs in ICT did not find a convincing relationships between beliefs and pupil progress.

5. Think about teacher-student relationships

This may also seem obvious, but the interactions teachers have with students has a big impact on learning - as well as the "classroom climate". The report said that it was important to create a classroom environment that was "constantly demanding more" while affirming students' self-worth. A student's success should be atributed to effort rather than ability.

6. Manage behaviour

Interestingly, this wasn't as significant as subject knowledge and classroom instruction as a factor contributing to teacher success. But classroom management - including how well a teacher makes use of lesson time, coordinates classroom resources and manages the behaviour of students - was noted as important.

7. There's no evidence that setting works

Putting students in groups depending on their ability makes little difference to their learning. Although setting can in theory let teachers work at a pace that suits all pupils and tailor content, it can also create an exaggerated sense of all pupils being alike in the teacher's mind. This can result in teachers not accomodating to the various different needs within one group and in some instances going too fast with high-ability groups and too slow with low ones.

8. Don't worry about learning styles

A survey showed that more than 90% of teachers think individuals learn better when they get information in their preferred learning style. But despite the popularity of this approach psychological evidence shows that there is no evidence this actually works. You can read more about the evidence on learning styles here.

9. Learning should be hard at first

One finding that may surprise you is that approaches that appear to make learning harder in the short term can actually lead to students retaining more information in the long term. Elizabeth Ligon Bjork, professor at the University of Michigan and Robert Bjork, professor at the University of California, said that varying the type of tasks you ask pupils to do improves retention even though it makes learning harder initially.

10. Build relationships with colleagues and parents

A teacher's professional behaviour, including supporting colleagues and talking with parents, also had a moderate impact on students' learning. The report said that there may not be a direct link with these practices and student achievement, but to capture a broad definition of good teaching they should be included.

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Effective teaching: 10 tips on what works and what doesn't

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A new report from the Sutton Trust has reviewed the evidence around successful teaching practices. Here are the key points you need to know

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Learn to balance your monitoring and direct teaching methods

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Learn to balance your monitoring and direct teaching methods

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Your students will respond to different methods of learning, and they will need to learn how to work independently, in groups, one-on-one with you, and in other environments. When you design your monthly and year-long curriculum strategies, think about how you will mix it up, in regards to your teaching methods and styles. This advice for first year teachers will help keep your students’ minds fresh, and will help develop their ability to work and learn in various ways.

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There can only be one reason why you're here, you are looking for tips for new teachers. Okay, maybe there could be more. But most likely, you are gearing up for your first big teaching job and you just want everything to be perfect, right?

You don't want to screw anything up, and you are bound and determined to impress your principal and the rest of your school's staff. You want to make friends with your peers and earn the instant respect of your students, right?

Sure... it'll all go exactly as planned.

Are you laughing too? Good!

Now, while it's not funny to be nervous or concerned about your performance as a new teacher, it is okay to have a laugh-especially if you're going into teaching!

Every experienced educator can tell you that one of the first things you learn is that you never know what you're in for on any given day. That's why it's a good thing you're here, and we're excited to talk to you about what you can do to prevent mishaps, create efficiencies, and work smarter as a new teacher.

Many of these tips can be relevant throughout your entire career. So, even if you're an experienced teacher, you might want review the list as well - and provide us any helpful insights we can add to our list.

Before we get too far-a word to those of you who are just thinking about going into teaching...

Many people, from all walks of life and with all types of different experience, decide that becoming a teacher makes sense. So regardless of your history, if you're thinking about being an educator, the first big tip we have for you is this:
Finding the right education degree program can lead you to your desired teaching career outcome.

In addition to helpful advice for first year teachers, information and resources for prospective teachers, at EducationDegree.com, we also have relationships with schools across the United States that offer campus-based and online degrees in education. You can easily use our search methods to locate schools, or browse around for other resources and advice for new educators on our site.

We are here to help you move closer to a successful start to your teaching career.

So, without any further ado...

Here Are Our Tips For New Teachers

Alright, take a deep breath, and just remember: You're human, and we all make mistakes. That said, review these tips for first year teachers carefully. We researched top education organizations, media outlets, and found first-hand accounts of how teachers try to make things a lot easier for themselves, and for their students.

1.) Plan for the year.

Sounds simple, right? You would be surprised at how easy it can be to get caught up in the day-to-day challenges of teaching, and lose track of your long-term goals with your students.

That's why you should start mapping out your game plan for goal setting in August while you're still enjoying the last few weeks of summer break. Give yourself time to assess goals every week or two, and look at your master list of school year goals then. This is no different than a business owner looking at their goals for revenue and growth quarterly. If you're not assessing progress on a regular interval, how can you know if you're truly an effective teacher?

2.) Be positive.

Believe us when we say we know how hard teaching can be! We spend our time focused on helping students find teaching degree programs, and providing tips for new teachers.

But we also know how important it is for teachers to stay positive to remain an inspiration to their students. Your students will also perform better when they are encouraged, and learn to recognize their strengths if you focus on them too, while still improving their weaker areas. You will be the main contributor to their self-esteem while they learn outside of their homes.

Don't take that responsibility lightly. Their futures depend on your kindness and encouragement.

3.) Learn to balance your monitoring and direct teaching methods.

Your students will respond to different methods of learning, and they will need to learn how to work independently, in groups, one-on-one with you, and in other environments. When you design your monthly and year-long curriculum strategies, think about how you will mix it up, in regards to your teaching methods and styles. This advice for first year teachers will help keep your students' minds fresh, and will help develop their ability to work and learn in various ways.

4.) Practice sound classroom management skills.

It can be easy to get frustrated, or let your inner child out; especially when managing a classroom of children. No matter how grown and 'adult' we become, simple stress can make us stoop to a toddler's level.
However, we cannot stress enough how important classroom management is!
So, do whatever it takes-write out your own 10 Commandments, or a list of sayings that remind you how to act towards your students in times of stress. Find ways to remind yourself that you are the adult in the room. Implement meditation, for yourself and your students. Just remember, that no matter how hard it may be sometimes to be an adult, you have to act like it in your classroom.

5.) Tap into your peers for knowledge and insight.

The next time you are working lunch room duty or have time to interact with fellow teachers, make the most of it. Ask questions, share strategies and open up!

These educators are in the same place you are and are trying just as hard to help themselves and their students as you are. This takes a strong support system among faculty and staff to remain good role models and effective educators.

One of the best tips for beginning teachers: Communicate with faculty and participate in your school events to help out as much as you can. Schools need teachers for more than just their classroom skills. It can only benefit your career as well, and will give you insight into how your peers manage teaching!

6.) Address misbehavior as quickly and appropriately as possible.

The last thing you want to do is try to be the 'cool' teacher and let inappropriate behavior slide. This is one of the most critical tips for first year teachers.

It sets a bad precedent and only prolongs the behavior until it escalates too far. If that happens, then your principal will likely hold you accountable for not acknowledging and fixing the problem-not to mention what it does to classroom management. That's why you should be diligent about solving classroom behavior problems as quickly as possible. You also need to make sure to apply the most appropriate solution. That's why it's important to understand the standards and preferred methods for discipline at your school.

7.) Lighten up.

Another essential piece of advice for new educators: Even if you aren't a natural clown or comedian, you can still make learning enjoyable for your students, without completely losing your dignity.

Try to find ways to make learning interactive and engaging for them. Why not turn a history lesson into a competitive game of Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune? When students forget they are learning because they are having fun, it's a win for everyone.

8.) Set clear expectations with each assignment.

Make sure you review the goals of each new area of your curriculum and for each new assignment. When students have a direction to point their mind's compass, they can go into the lesson with a clear idea of how they should approach or absorb the information.

This will also help students take good notes and start thinking conceptually about the topic as soon as you begin your teaching. Sometimes the best advice for first year teachers can be a simple as setting clear expectations!

9.) Set rules for the classroom.

This can be effective for elementary, middle and high school students-especially if you set expectations early. When it comes to classroom rules, remember to keep them simple, and try to have fun with them.

Kids are used to being told what to do, and have a tendency to roll their eyes when adults go overboard with the lectures. If you can think of ways to incentivize good behavior, then do it. Positive reinforcement is always better than dangling punishment over them to maintain law and order in the classroom. This piece of advice for first year teachers can save you lots of headaches!

10.) Acknowledge every student the first time you see them every day.

Yes, you read that right. Every student. Every day.

It's easy to let some students blend into the crowd when you have your hands full. But don't let the quiet ones pass you by. Say hello to all of your students every day, so they know you are thinking about them and feel comfortable talking to you. This is one of those tips for beginning teachers that will last a lifetime for your students. You see them even more than their parents do many days of the week, so it's critical they trust you and feel seen by you. Teachers and students can form bonds through constant positive communication.

From the first day of school to the last, let them know you're there.

11.) Be caring and empathetic.

No matter what age group you are teaching, students are going through mental growth that can be challenging and frustrating. Be sure to put yourself in their place when you approach your students, while you teach them, and especially if you must discipline them. They are counting on you to help them learn critical thinking skills, as well as interpersonal skills. When you show a child that you care about them and spend time understanding where they are coming from, then you will earn their respect. It will also help build trust, so they know they can come to you for help and mentorship, when they need it.

12.) Create a plan for parents.

This might be one of the hardest tips for first year teachers to execute - but absolutely necessary. Parents are sometimes the elephant in the room when it comes to effectively teaching children. You have hands-on parents and those you may only see at required meeting times.

Make sure you have a plan of action for how you will manage the parents. This is key not only when discipline issues arise, but during regular communication as well. You should set the processes and boundaries from the beginning. Think about it-for every student, you typically have two parents to work with. It may not be as challenging as teaching a class of students, but it can get tough if you aren't efficient with your time and lead the relationship.

13.) Teach respect and stress anti-bullying.

Remember when we said you should take care of discipline issues as soon as they arise to keep them from spiraling out of control? This advice for new educators takes that philosophy one step further. With so much time spent interacting with video games compared to humans, today's young learners need to practice mutual respect with their peers and teachers on a daily basis.

Create exercises that reward diversity and show the ill effects of treating others unfairly. This will help create a culture of respect in your classroom, and help your students learn their own lessons in being empathetic towards others.

14.) Allow free learning time, and free time in general.

It's easy to think that you have to keep kids busy, busy, busy-accounting for each minute of every day. While this philosophy can aid in goal achievement and keep challenging behaviors at bay, it is also stagnating. Give your students a mental break from the routine so they can do something constructive and new. This can be five minutes a day, a half hour each week, a weekly group exercise, or ten minutes of independent journaling once a week.

The point of the assignment would be to give students time to explore their own minds, interests and curiosities. These breaks can also be a great introduction to freeform discussions about current events, creativity, or anything meaningful that your students want to reflect on.

15.) Look for continuing education opportunities.

Even though you already have your degree and you're working 24/7 - or at least, it feels like it - you should keep your ear to the ground in the world of academia. Make sure you join all the relevant teaching organizations, both national and local, that you can find to stay in tune with what's going on.

Education is so connected to our political system that teachers are often engaged and organized to protect their occupational interests. You can also find workshops and educational opportunities through these organizations.

Our advice for first year teachers: Do everything you can to connect and network right away!

16.) Take your professional goals seriously.

When you meet with your principal and other administrators to discuss your job, be sure to discuss your own professional goals. These can be as simple as earning a master's degree, teaching a particular subject, or starting a new club for the students. It will make your principal happy to hear you are committed to your career in education and demonstrates that you want to improve your skillset.

Be sure to ask if they see any strengths you could turn into opportunities to help out more or reach a new goal in teaching.

17.) Try to include technology in your lessons.

Let's face it, students love technology. And who can blame them? We've been dreaming of having all these cool toys since we were kids - so hurry up with our hoverboards already, please! But seriously...

If you can find cool ways to show kids how they can learn to code, or use their artistic skills on the computer, they will be more apt to develop the kinds of versatile skillsets that will be required more and more as we continue to see technology expand.

18.) Plan field trips.

Do you remember finding yourself at home during Winter break with serious cabin fever? Imagine being a child stuck in a classroom for eight hours a day, five days a week. Kids are constantly being told what to do while trying to figure out what the heck is going on in this crazy world. Yeah, it's pretty overwhelming for those students sometimes.

So get them out of the classroom and show them what the real world is actually like. Take them to plays, museums, sporting events and other activities that reflect the curriculum you're teaching. They'll love the opportunity to get out and do something different - and so will you!

19.) Be mindful about sensitive topics.

You have to remember that children come from all walks of life and face many

different challenges. Be sensitive and conscious of anything you might say that could alienate them or make them uncomfortable. This is another one of those tips for new teachers that will make a lasting impact in your students' lives.

That doesn't mean you can just avoid discussing topics that aren't relevant to your curriculum. You just have to do it in a way that is inclusive and objective. You don't want to accidentally make any student feel economically or socially inferior to you or anyone else in the class. When you complete your education degree program, you should look for courses that help you develop strong skills in this area. You will need to apply this same tip to working with parents as well.

20.) Go into it for the right reasons.

Since teaching is such an important, influential role in students' lives, you really need to go into this profession to change lives and inspire students. Teachers can make a fine living, but very few go into it to get rich. Become a teacher because you want to help kids reach their potential and believe in themselves. If you do that, then all you need is the right teaching degree to meet your state requirements to get going.
Do you have some helpful tips for first year teachers who want to be effective leaders and mentors?
If you have additional ideas, experiences or insight that we can share with prospective educators - let us know! We want to hear from you and encourage others to become great teachers.

Do you need to earn your degree, or pursue a graduate level education? We can help you there too! Just use the search functions on this page to narrow your options.

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20 Tips For New Teachers There can only be one reason why you're here, you are looking for tips for new teachers. Okay, maybe there could be more. But most likely, you are gearing up for your first big teaching job and you just want everything to be perfect, right?

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Always have a well-designed, engaging lesson

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Always have a well-designed, engaging lesson

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This tip is most important of all. Perhaps you’ve heard that if you don’t have a plan for them, they’ll have one for you. Always overplan. It’s better to run out of time than to run short on a lesson.

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5 Quick Classroom-Management Tips for Novice Teachers

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When it comes to managing a classroom, new teachers mostly learn on the fly, but here are some ideas you can use right away.

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It's a mistake to assume the students in your class know how to work in a group or how to behave on a field trip. However, most kids will cooperate if they know what they're supposed to do. Remember, as an educator, you have to teach not only the "what" but the "how."

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When I was a new teacher, I got a lot of practical teaching tips from veteran colleagues. One tip was to seat kids alphabetically so I'd learn their names quickly. Another was to use a laminated hall pass to avoid writing a new one every time a student asked to go to the bathroom. Most, but not all, of their tips were useful-I decided not to make kids turn their desks around and face the wall if they misbehaved.

As a veteran educator myself, it's now my duty to share teaching tips, based on what I've learned over time, that might be useful to perspective teachers or those just starting their careers.

1. Don't Grade Everything

When I was a new teacher, I dragged home a briefcase stuffed with students' work every night. I collected everything-homework, rough drafts, work sheets-and spent my evenings and weekends trying to grade it all.
Further reading: Formative Assessments
Then I went to a workshop that explained that grades should indicate progress toward mastery, not whether kids had done homework. I continued to grade tests, of course, but I learned to use classroom strategies like writing workshops and think-pair-share so kids could share their work and learn together.

2. Let Students Know What's Going On

I used to just hand out the books and start teaching, but it's a lot easier to get where you want to go if everyone's onboard. Students should know what they're going to learn, why they're learning it, and how it'll be evaluated. I also learned to use a rubric so that kids know right from the beginning how their work will be evaluated and, therefore, what they should strive for.

3. Explain Procedures and Expectations

It's a mistake to assume the students in your class know how to work in a group or how to behave on a field trip. However, most kids will cooperate if they know what they're supposed to do. Remember, as an educator, you have to teach not only the "what" but the "how."

4. How You Treat Students Matters

What you say to students, or how you treat them, can make or break their day. When I was a new teacher, I didn't fully understand how an off-handed comment or criticism could affect a child. Once my own kids started school and came home with stories about what their teachers said or did, I realized the impact we can have on students. After that, I kept a poster in my room that said, "They won't always remember what you taught them, but they'll always remember how you treated them."

5. You Don't Know Every Kid's Home Life

A friend of mine teaches at a high school where 44 different languages are spoken, and she told me that she overheard a student say, "I'm really tired. Last night, I had to sleep next to someone who snored." Kids might be dealing with issues we know nothing about, so don't assume video games are to blame when homework isn't done.

6. Keep Your Sense of Humor

I was so serious about being a good teacher, I didn't see the role humor could play in my classroom. After a few years though, when I had more skills and more confidence, I was able to let my guard down and actually be funny or silly. Even better, my students began to understand that they could make jokes now and then, and we could all laugh together.

7. Socializing with Colleagues Is Good for You

Whether it's the faculty holiday party, Relay for Life, or stopping at the local pub for a drink on Friday, sharing the joys and frustrations of teaching and supporting one another is essential to your well-being. Forming close bonds with a colleague can even improve your levels of job satisfaction, so don't isolate yourself.

8. Your Connection to Your Students Might Surprise You

I've known teachers who loved their subject and loved teaching, but who didn't necessarily love kids. They didn't dislike kids; they just kept their professional distance. I was like that at the very beginning of my career. But as I became more skilled and comfortable in the classroom, I began to really enjoy connecting with my students as people, and teaching became a lot more fun.

At the end of the year, I always ask my students to write a letter to their core teachers, telling us what they liked, what they didn't like, and how we could improve. The letters are honest, funny, and often heartfelt. One student wrote: "I loved all my classes (math best of all) and I knew you guys cared about us." I didn't even teach math, but I kept that letter.
Further reading: A Teacher's Love for Punk Rock Music Helps Her Connect to Students
As I look back, I realize that my focus as an educator was always on the best ways to interact with kids. Maybe that's the most important tip. Make sure your students know that you care about them, and the rest will fall into place.

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8 Essential Teaching Tips from Someone Who Has Seen It All

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When I was a new teacher, I got a lot of practical teaching tips from veteran colleagues. One tip was to seat kids alphabetically so I'd learn their names quickly. Another was to use a laminated hall pass to avoid writing a new one every time a student asked to go to the bathroom.

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Develop an organizational system. Where do things belong? This may need to be explicitly explained to your students. Some modifications may also be needed (e.g., placing materials closer to the student).