5 Tech Troubleshooting Tips for Online Teaching

The global pandemic has changed the face of education around the world. Most teachers have had to embrace online teaching. You may find yourself educating students on the Internet for many reasons. You could be offering online courses through a university, taking up independent tutoring, or it may be a requirement for the public school where you are employed. Regardless of why you have ventured into online instruction, you want the experience to be as productive as possible for you and your students. You also want to avoid frustration brought on by run-ins with technology. Take 5 tech troubleshooting tips to make your online teaching experience a success story.

Make Sure You Have More than One Mode of Communication

As you set your students up for online instruction, they will need more than their computers to have access to you. You should also have messaging, texting, and e-mail to connect with your students. If the Internet is down, they can still text you. Everyone knows that technology can fail. You should still be able to address questions, deliver teaching tips, and find another route to teaching when the Internet crashes. If your students are in primary or secondary school, you should also have access to their parents to stay on top of lessons.

Make Sure Windows is Working Properly

You may have problems with Windows or your browser. Software like openal32.dll can maximize Windows on your computer. You can install it before you begin instruction to ensure your mode of delivery is working properly. Don’t be afraid to experiment with browsers as well. Check in with a professional if you have questions.

Get the Best Internet Connection Available

If you are performing remote instruction from home, an excellent Internet connection is essential. Check with your provider to make sure you have the fastest, most reliable connection. You can also hook up your laptop or computer to your router with an ethernet connection. This will ensure you don’t run into typical problems with wireless Internet service. You don’t want your lessons to be interrupted.

Learn About Your Tools and Icons Before You Teach Your Students

You need to know all the ins and outs of the teaching platform you are using. Make sure you have a solid understanding of mute and chat functions. Find out how to connect with one student versus many students at a time. Send out instructions to your students and walk them through any trouble spots once you get started. It may take some time to smooth out all the glitches. Good planning can help you to have a better experience.

Have Go-To Resources When You Experience Hiccups

You are bound to run into problems at some point when you are an online instructor. Your camera or microphone may not function properly. Your students could run into the same problem. Your software could be faulty. You may be looking for a more creative way to reach your students. Have people you can count on in a pinch. You may have a best friend who is a tech-wizard. Be sure to have their number on speed dial. If you are working for a school or a company, find out who your IT experts are. The Internet offers you a wealth of resources as well. How-to videos are available at your fingertips. Be willing to invest the time to educate yourself. Many website providers offer helplines. Solutions are available. Don’t be afraid to ask others for help when you have tech issues. This may not be your area of expertise. You can teach an old dog new tricks.

Online teaching can open many doors to learning. It offers you the ability to work with many students in various locations at one time. You could even connect with others from around the world, bridging gaps across the globe. Being tech-savvy will help you along the way. As you engage in remote instruction, make a list of questions and problems you encounter. Take the opportunity to find solutions once your session is over. You will be able to show your students that you are a lifelong learner, joining them on the journey as you surf the Internet together.