I started to take my teaching online well before the Covid-19 pandemic. As the pandemic has now eased a bit, I have found that it was the right decision. And there is no need to return to the way things were before. Rather just keep developing my own way and continue on the journey from the classroom to wherever the students are.
For professional development, I frequently think about the kind of principles I want to follow in my teaching. Here are some of the current ones. Next time they might be different – I learn more every day and I want to reflect that in my own teaching, too: The idea of continuous development.
The principles below are not in any specific order. And there is no single truth. Your way might be different from my way.
- If some videos are prepared, make a proper script. I make a lot of videos. First, I did not realize the importance of writing a script for the recordings. But when I watched them myself… It was awful! Once I started writing scripts, suddenly 1.5 hours of lecture material turned into 0.5 hour of material split into several short videos. I also share my final scripts with the students. Why not!
- Use a clear schedule and deadlines. Spread the deadlines as evenly over the course period as possible. Furthermore, give all exercises to the students at the start of the course. This helps the students to plan their own schedule. My course is not their only one!
- Don’t try to use all the possible tools in the course. Use just one platform where everything can be found in the same place. Make sure that the students know where to find the course materials. If some nice app can’t be integrated into my platform, then I don’t use it.
- If you have an online session, always make a recording of it. There may be various reasons why someone isn’t able to attend. No need to punish them. In addition, students can then also check from the recording if something was not clear to them the first time round.
- Be flexible. Although deadlines are important to balance the workload, there may be various reasons why someone isn’t able to complete the work on time. Being flexible will not harm anyone.
- Prepare the course evaluation in the way that it supports learning. I don’t believe that a single exam at the end of a course really measures learning. That is why assignments and quizzes during the course form the largest part of the grade in my courses. My main task is not to evaluate but to help the students to learn.
- Be present. Make sure that the students understand that they can ask for help, whether it’s with the assignments, the lectures, or anything at all.
Pasi Vahimaa, Professor of Theoretical Optics, Department of Physics and Mathematics, UEF.