Resources for Teaching Online
Making a quick transition from teaching in a brick-and-mortar classroom to teaching online can be daunting, especially if you have no experience with it or feel uncomfortable with technology. While this is understandable, it can also be overcome with the right resources and training. Even teachers who have self-identified as “not tech savvy” have been able to set up their learning environments in a whole new way with just a few hours of crash-course training on one of the easiest to navigate online platforms, Zoom.
A Basic account through Zoom is free and includes all the features you need to host a virtual classroom. Details of these features can be found at https://zoom.us/pricing under the Basic account column.
Zoom Training Documents for Educators
The Zoom website offers valuable, one-stop resource sheets with links to training videos on how to use Zoom as an online learning tool.
Comprehensive Guide for Educating Through Zoom
https://zoom.us/docs/doc/Comprehensive%20Guide%20to%20Educating%20Through%20Zoom.pdf
Tips and Tricks: Teachers Educating on Zoom
https://zoom.us/docs/doc/Tips%20and%20Tricks%20for%20Teachers%20Educating%20on%20Zoom.pdf?zcid=1231
Student Tips for Participating in Online Learning
https://zoom.us/docs/doc/Student%20Tips%20for%20Participating%20in%20Online%20Learning.pdf?zcid=1231
Free Teacher Training Webinars for Online Learning
- Move Your Classes Online – Rapidly!
Industry experts Whitney Lowe and Ruth Werner recently released an informative and down-to-earth webinar to support massage therapy schools in taking their classes online. It is one of the most valuable training videos because it is specifically geared toward massage therapy education. These presenters introduce common terminology relevant to online learning, tips on how to best approach the unique skill set required to teach online, an overview of online learning platforms and learning management systems, ways to approach student assessment, and suggestions for how to best prepare your students to be disciplined and motivated in an online learning environment. The training is one hour in length and can be found here:
- Ideas and Strategies for Massage Education
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education created an online teacher training webinar specific to massage therapy education. Educators Virginia Cowen, Dawn Hogue, and Jodi Scholes walk instructors through things to consider when moving courses online, such as policies, procedures, planning, and implementation. They also provide an overview of logistical considerations, such as available platforms, materials, and formats you can utilize. The webinar finishes with effective learning strategies which help you engage your students in the online learning environment. The training is 70 minutes in length and can be found here:
https://www.afmte.org/free-webinar-ideas-and-strategies-for-massage-education-covid-19/
- Outschool – Introduction to Live Online Teaching
Outschool.com is an online learning school geared primarily to K–12 education. In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, Outschool developed a short webinar designed to offer suggestions for classroom management, online class activities, and suggestions for overcoming common technical challenges when teaching online. It is taught by two instructors with significant experience teaching online classes. While it is geared toward K–12 education, it is relevant to any educator of a virtual classroom and speaks directly to using Zoom as an online learning interface. Sign up for a free training here:
https://success.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Twxi9n0qQ5WwdtWOxy6JHQ
- Zoom Training Webinars
In addition to the short training videos found in the comprehensive guides listed above, Zoom offers longer training webinars which are 30-–60 minutes in length. These recorded sessions are essential for learning the technical side of hosting a virtual classroom using their meeting functions. A full list of training options is available here: