No doubt, there are numerous challenges involved in online teaching. In the post-covid era, where blended and hybrid learning has taken a foot forward, educators while teaching online face many obstacles. Often, they face several challenges on the same day which makes it more difficult to handle. And if you’ve started online teaching recently, some of these obstacles can be rather problematic.

You will find below A-Z of online teaching challenges which will definitely help you put things back into perspective. Along with these challenges, some of the practical ways are offered to handle some of the recurring issues you face while teaching online.

A – Artificial Intelligence is Transforming E-learning

Artificial Intelligence has now become a part of our normal lives. Artificial Intelligence in education is being felt and therefore the traditional methods are changing drastically. This has changed the way people learn since educational content can be accessed through smart devices and computers today.

B – Bad Links Could Ruin It

It is a good practice to check the URLs before sending them to students. Demanding an acknowledgement for the same from the students will confirm the email delivery as well.

C – Crystal Clear in Communication

Communicating without the help of body language is definitely one of the challenges faced while teaching online. This leads to misunderstandings and student alienation. The language that students understand easily should be used. Moreover, use a friendly tone with the students to establish rapport with them.

D - Different and Innovative Teaching Would Work

Online teaching often involves a larger workload than traditional teaching. The volume of papers to mark and emails to answer can take you by surprise. Innovative teaching strategy is a solution here. Don’t go by the rules of traditional teaching just to complete your work.

E – Engage Students in Multiple Ways

Create educational experiences for students that are challenging, enriching and that extend their academic capabilities. Provide students with opportunities to interact with peers, through group discussions and group work.

F – Focus on Feedback

It’s hard to be criticized. Moreover, it will be harder for those students who are new to eLearning, or the ones who have had negative experiences in education earlier. In fact, at times, even the constructive feedback would make the students offended or discouraged. Hence, be as positive as possible, and always offer practical and precise feedback so that the students can work upon them.

G – Grab the Attention of Students

Obviously, most of the students will respond better to encouragement rather than harsh criticism. But kindness can be a lofty goal at the end of a long teaching day and would help you grab the attention of the students and make a rapport with them or else they will start making excuses for not cooperating.

H – Hands-On Training and Real World Projects Will Bring Positive Results

Motivate students by making a real world connection by providing hands on training. Always help the students understand how they will apply the concepts they are learning.

I – In-Time Buffer – Join Before Time

Ask students to join in at least 15 minutes before the class begins. The internet connectivity and other technical issues may create trouble for late comers.

J – Just Go For Self-Explanatory Presentations

The students who are new to the concept of online learning will be completely unprepared. It is important to introduce them to the reality as early as possible. Make it clear from the beginning that the concept of eLearning would be flexible for them however they have to adhere to deadlines and self-discipline. Self-explanatory presentations would be of much help to them in these changing times.

K – Keep Asking for Verbal Agreements

Keep asking for verbal agreements while teaching in order to ensure that students’ understanding is in tune with your expectations.

L – Language Needs to Be Worked Out- Should Be Multilingual

Use multilingual method to explain concepts. It will help them understand the concepts better and easily as well.

M – Multi-Tasking Is Required

Online teaching demands sophisticated juggling skills. This is necessary, but exhausting. Organize your workload into ‘chunks’ of similar tasks. It is better to focus on one chunk at a time. Putting out new fires every five minutes would be challenging for them.

N – Navigate Learning Management Systems and Make them as Simple as Possible

LMSs vary widely in their user-friendliness. The navigation of the LMS needs to be made as simple as possible.

O – Out of the Box Thinking Required

Comparing to the traditional teaching role, being less visible to the students while teaching online would make students feel less connected with you. Hence, think out of the box and emphasize that you’re a flesh-and-blood expert who’s willing and able to help your students succeed.

P – Prodding and Nagging Are Less Effective

Always complaining and criticizing the new ways, students, class, tools as you can’t cope with them will not do anything. Moreover, it will make you pessimistic to accept new changes.

Q – Quality of Teaching Resources

Online teaching often requires upgradation of the existing course materials to improve the quality of available teaching resources.

R – Resolve Doubts in Class

Allow chat option in class after explaining the concept so that students can probe questions. Resolve the doubts of students then and there to avoid hassle later.

S – Share Detailed Feedback Card with Every Student

Sharing a detailed feedback card with every student over the mail mentioning the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats would be helpful for student and educator both in the longer run.

T – Time Management is Must

Time management skills are a must for online learners making the balance between the career and family commitments. Tell students that the time investment is important for the course.

U – Use Technical Tools for Better Understanding

Use technical tools like whiteboard, highlighters, coloured pens and other tools in class for better understanding.

V – Videos Need to be Engaging

Show engaging videos to students to keep up the spirits and their motivation alive. Your invisibility would make them less motivated and they would start procrastinating.

W – Work on Supervision and Evaluation

When it’s the time for assessment, students will definitely feel stressed. Hence, a tsunami of questions by the students will be there before the assessments. To avoid the rush at the last hour, it is required to check the clarity of instructions beforehand, and do create an FAQ page answering the most common student questions.

X – Xviii, And Other Unnecessarily Complicated Numbering Systems –Avoid Them

Some students structure assignments with eccentric numbering systems. They’ll call a section a chapter. They’ll skip from 5(a) to 8(c). So provide firm and clear feedback, and don’t use unnecessarily numbering system to avoid hassles.

Y – Yeaah!!! Its Not Easy to Handle Generation Y – They Require Dynamic Teaching and Learning

Every student would face different challenges while learning online. This can vary from short attention span to disdain from learning through traditional books. To overcome such challenges, use a range of learning material in order to maximize their engagement. As Generation Y needs to be handled carefully, it is better to connect the lessons with students' own experience to make the teaching and learning more dynamic.

Z – Zoom Along with Fast Pace of Changing Trends

Certainly, home-based office leaves you feeling isolated and makes you feel disconnected with your colleagues. It’s essential to set up your own support network of like-minded workmates for mutual support to zoom along with the changing trends. Phone calls, Skype meetings or just regular emails will help you connect to your professional network.