K-12 School districts across the country rely on online learning programs more and more each year to keep up with 21st century standards. Due to the pandemic students are being propelled into online spaces. So, now schools are starting to see more online programs popping up all over the country than ever before. The increasing implementation of online learning programs should mean that schools and districts are training their teachers using online learning, best practices, and chunking content but that is not what is currently happening. In many districts, there’s this glimmer of hope that things will revert back to the way things were and in my opinion, they will never be the same.

Finding a Needle in the Haystack

Have you ever found a teacher that already has the online certification needed to help their classroom access the current curriculum? Well, searching for teachers who are already proficient in teaching in online learning programs is not easy, as there are not enough teachers with such background knowledge, K-12 training, and online education. Those who are proficient are sought out by the best schools and paid a higher salary, which leaves public schools unable to compete for this small percentage of teachers. Only 1% of online teachers have received a degree in online education, the pool of eligible teachers is constantly empty. The fact that teachers who are skilled in implementing online learning programs also have the flexibility to teach in any other state, which keeps them in high demand. We may need to beef up our programs in higher education as well, only 4% of all universities even offer programs on how to teach effectively online.

Are Teachers Figuring it Out at Your School? 

Many teachers in the world are taking it upon themselves to train themselves and others in their building in online education. Schools that train their teachers usually do it in the summer; the Delta Variant has educators unsure on how to prepare for the fall but they are “figuring it out” and ready to teach their new students once school starts in a couple of weeks, August or September. The main struggle is that schools are looking for a one-sized program and what we know is that each subject must have its learning style to be effectively taught to students online.

Yes, Engagement Matters in Online Spaces

One critical way to support your teachers on effective online learning methods is by providing them with a toolbox of online learning tools that will introduce the skill and allow for them to practice, apply, implement and revisit. Next, we must promote engagement! Teachers need to be proficient in online messaging, video and audio software, playback software, noting taking software and creating engaging discussion forums and activities. The more tools a teacher has at their disposal, the likelier to be engaging material.

Diverse Methods for Online Learning

Just like there are different teaching methods for the classroom setting, students who are in different grades, there should also be diverse teaching methods for each grade in online learning programs (EurekAlert, 2021). Teachers will find it very difficult to change grade levels yearly or implement new online programs in the middle of the year.  Another thing to consider when implementing teacher training programs is online learning techniques for future education (Technology Solutions That Drive Education, 2020). Education in all forms is ongoing and never-ending, so there needs to be a credit program where teachers can learn new methods and techniques outside of what they are taught by school districts.

 References

EurekAlert. “The Online Learning Needs of Students across Different Grades during the COVID-19 Pandemic.” EurekAlert!, www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-05/w-tol050321.php.  

“Factors to Consider When Preparing for E-Learning.” Technology Solutions That Drive Education, 15 Sept. 2020, edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2020/03/factors-consider-when-preparing-e-learning-perfcon.

Quality-plus teaching strategies / quality-plus teaching strategies. Quality-Plus Teaching Strategies / Quality-Plus Teaching Strategies. (n.d.). https://www.gcpsk12.org/domain/11887.