One question students ask with regards to online learning is “What do we need to bring to class?”
In theory, this question seems simple enough. Just bring yourself and your laptop. Of course, you’ll need a good internet connection. There are concerns, however, with the stability of your internet connection the usual head scratcher followed by the materials you’ll be needing. Will these be available online or should you buy a copy from your review center. Here are three must-haves to a successful online tutorial!
1. Yourself
A prepped version of you, rarin’ and ready to learn, learn, and learn some more!
Well the thing is, bringing yourself requires more than sitting on a couch from one to two hours staring blankly on your computer’s screen.
Bringing yourself means being prepared to focus on the lesson and not allowing distractions to get a hold of you. This is especially true with online tutorials. Being within the confines of your home means a lot of things as well as stuff you do are within your reach.
Appearance is also crucial. A tutor wouldn’t want to teach someone who looks as if he/she had just woken up.
2. A Stable Internet Connection
This needs to be emphasized due to the fact that our internet speed is similar to that of a tortoise. Remember, always check your internet connection before starting your tutorial, because internet means no online tutorial. For tutors, before conducting the tutorial, it would be wise to conduct a mock tutorial with your tutees to see if your own internet connection can sustain classes. If something does happen during the tutorial, remain calm and restart your internet connection. If that does not work, communicate with your tutor on how you can continue the lesson instead
NOTE: If all else fails, be prepared to use your mobile data, BUT it should be your last resort. It’s quite pricey.
3. Your Computer/Laptop or any device that can do video calls
It wouldn’t be an “online” tutorial if it isn’t conducted using a computer or a mobile device to communicate with one another. It is safe to say that almost all of us have access to smartphones, if not a computer or a laptop. This simply means that we should have no excuses not being able to attend an online tutorial. Having said that, just because you have a gadget doesn’t mean you can attend an online tutorial. Always ensure that you have downloaded (if you are using a smartphone) the app to be used and have tried to sign in to the assigned site that you and your tutor will use for the tutorial. Most tutors use Facebook Messenger, Zoom, or Google Hangouts as their main platforms for their online tutorials.
NOTE: Tutors must use their laptops/desktops with webcams, to ensure that materials can be shared properly.
Be Ahead by Being Prepared
In short, always try to communicate early your do’s and don’ts with your tutee so that things will be clear during your scheduled tutorial. A good tutorial depends on the ability of the tutor and tutee to communicate properly and understand one another, and by having all of the things I mentioned above, you can do just that. Tutors always remember to always be prepared before conducting your class. Students/tutees, likewise.