Love them or loathe them, online lessons have become a staple of modern teaching. But with the wonders of virtual learning come the inevitable tech hiccups, awkward silences, and the occasional mystery disappearance of a student. Instead of letting these moments derail your lesson, why not use them to your advantage? Here’s how to turn common online meeting mishaps into valuable learning opportunities.
1. The “Can You Hear Me?” Dilemma
Few things are more universal in online lessons than the phrase, “I think you’re on mute.” Whether it’s you or a student battling audio issues, this is a perfect chance to reinforce clear communication skills.
How to use it:
- Encourage patience and problem-solving – vital skills in any workplace.
- Turn troubleshooting into a quick speaking exercise: “Let’s practise giving tech instructions in English.”
- Teach useful expressions: “Try adjusting your microphone settings.” or “Can you reconnect?”
2. The Vanishing Act
One moment, your student is nodding along, and the next—poof! They’ve disappeared into the digital void. Internet dropouts happen, but they don’t have to break the flow of the lesson.
How to use it:
- When they return, have them explain the problem in English – real-life problem-solving in action!
- If a student disconnects, get others to predict what happened: “Where do you think they went?” A great chance to practise modal verbs for speculation (They might have lost connection. / They could have closed the tab by accident.)
3. The Awkward Silence
Sometimes, there’s a delay. Sometimes, students just don’t know what to say. And sometimes, it’s both. Either way, silence doesn’t have to be uncomfortable.
How to use it:
- Use the moment for reflection – give learners a second to gather their thoughts before responding.
- Encourage students to acknowledge pauses with phrases like “Sorry, I think there was a delay.” or “I lost my train of thought.”
- Turn it into a listening challenge: Ask students to repeat what was last said to check understanding.
4. The Background Distractions
Dogs barking, babies crying, unexpected visitors – home learning comes with its fair share of interruptions. Instead of letting them frustrate you, lean into them!
How to use it:
- Use background mishaps as discussion starters about daily routines or home life.
- Turn unexpected noises into a fun guessing game: “What do you think that sound was?”
- Practise reacting naturally in conversation: “Oh, I think someone’s at your door!”
5. The Screen-Share Struggle
You’ve prepared the perfect slide, but it won’t load. Or maybe you’re presenting, but no one can see it. These tech glitches can actually be great for engagement.
How to use it:
- Get creative: Switch to a verbal explanation, acting things out if necessary. Improvisation builds confidence!
- Ask students to describe what they should be seeing. “What do you expect to see on the slide?”
- Have students explain the issue: “It looks like the screen isn’t sharing properly.”
Final Thoughts
Tech problems are inevitable in online teaching, but they don’t have to be a disaster. By embracing these moments as learning opportunities, you not only keep the lesson flowing but also help students develop communication skills that will serve them well beyond the virtual classroom. So next time Zoom freezes mid-sentence, take a deep breath and turn it into a teachable moment!
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