Teaching or Tech Support? Setting up a virtual classroom
As I left the classroom and started my own online tutoring business, I discovered that I had to handle numerous tasks unrelated to teaching, such as IT issues—what kind of laptop should I get? Which anti-virus software offers the best protection? Do I need a VPN? How fast should my internet be? Zoom or Google Meet? —then accounting, bookkeeping, and invoicing. Additionally, scheduling and deciding what kind of calendars I should use with families in different time zones. Seemingly endless tasks that would usually be handled by departments in my school and district, now fell on my shoulders to figure out.
There was also the issue of curriculums.
Curriculums aren't one-size-fits-all solutions. They need to be adaptable to each child's unique learning style, pace, and interests. Moreover, they should be rigorous enough to evolve with emerging educational research and meet the respective state standards. Selecting a curriculum for individualized online tutoring demanded an approach that went beyond traditional classroom teaching methods.
Successfully setting up my virtual classroom for online tutoring required more than just teaching. It involved tackling numerous tasks like technology setup, administrative responsibilities, and most importantly, the selection and adaptation of a suitable curriculum tailored to individual student needs.
Equipment and Tools
I was lucky to have my husband as a resource. He had been working remotely since 2006, so he guided me through the IT, accounting, and scheduling software to use.
Here are some of the tools and equipment I purchased to set up my home office:
MacBook Pro: Since I already use many Apple products this was an easy choice. I went with a pro model because it was powerful enough to handle video calls, screen sharing, and multiple applications at once.
Anti-virus software and a VPN: These are essential for keeping my hardware and software safe and secure.
The fastest internet possible: Smooth communication and seamless transitions between apps and websites are crucial. It’s important to have a reliable connection during an introductory call with a parent and during tutoring sessions.
Video Conferencing App: I prefer Zoom due to its picture quality and range of embedded apps.
Accounting: Personally, I use QuickBooks. I can send invoices to clients, track income and expenses, and organize tax documents. Without proper accounting software, I would find myself overwhelmed with invoices stored in Word documents and spreadsheets. Tax season would be a nightmare.
Calendar and Scheduling: Currently, I prefer to keep things simple by using Google Calendars. It's a free and straightforward calendar that meets my needs perfectly at this stage. Besides tutoring sessions, I also block off time to lesson plan, write reports, or work on any marketing tasks.
Curriculums
One area where my husband couldn't offer guidance was curriculums.
In a traditional classroom, curricula were usually set by the district. But now, I found myself navigating numerous online resources and approaches. How adaptable is this curriculum for different learning styles? Is the material in line with the science of reading? Will it help students meet state standards?
Suddenly, my job went from classroom teacher to curriculum evaluator.
Fortunately, I have experience with several curriculums as a classroom teacher. I knew their strengths, their areas for improvement, and most importantly, how to adapt them to fit individual learning styles.
Additionally, I learned how to evaluate curriculums during the recent completion of my master's program. It broadened my understanding of diverse teaching methodologies. This offered a unique opportunity for me to pick the best aspects from each curriculum, enabling me to tailor my approach to suit the needs of each student.
For me, the best aspects of curricula are those that:
Follow the science of reading, which is based on scientific research on how children learn how to read. This means that the curriculum is based on how reading develops in the brain.
Target important aspects of reading development, such as phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. This means that the curriculum should cover all of the important skills that contribute to proficient reading.
Systematic and structured, a well-structured curriculum follows a systematic scope and sequence in teaching reading skills. It presents tasks and learning objectives in a logical and progressive order, ensuring each lesson builds upon the last. This systematic approach allows students to solidify foundational skills before advancing to more complex concepts, fostering a comprehensive understanding of reading.
Are evidence-based, meaning that the curriculum use methods that, based on research, shows that they are effective in helping students learn how to read.
Are geared towards achieving state standards, which are the goals that each state sets for what students should learn in reading. This alignment ensures that students develop proficient reading skills that are essential for both college and career success.
I spent weeks researching and selecting a comprehensive reading curriculum. It had to be well-designed, intervention-based, and helps develop students as proficient readers and critical thinkers. I chose a curriculum that covers phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and spelling. I also selected an online library that aligns with the curriculum and provides leveled reading materials that cater to my students' interests and reading abilities.
Navigating through the myriad curriculums was not an easy task. However, I felt a tangible sense of accomplishment, having tackled numerous online resources, applied the knowledge gained from my master's degree, and finally selecting a curriculum that aligns perfectly with my teaching philosophy and my students' needs.
With finding the appropriate curriculum, I felt a sense of anticipation. I was eager to apply it to my teaching and witness first-hand its impact on my students. A flicker of nervousness was there too, a natural feeling considering the uncertainties ahead.
Interestingly, the whole process was empowering. The control and flexibility I had in choosing and tailoring a curriculum was an enriching experience. This level of customization, rarely possible in a traditional classroom, added a unique sense of fulfillment to my work as a tutor. It was a reminder of why I embarked on this journey in the first place— to provide a rich literacy experience for my students.
Conclusion
Setting up a virtual classroom is a task that involves a lot more than just hopping onto a Zoom call and teaching. It's a multifaceted process that requires a solid understanding of technology, scheduling, bookkeeping, child development, as well as curriculum development. You will wear many hats. But with a little help from others, the right tools and an adaptable mindset, it's entirely possible to make this transition. Although the journey has its challenges, the rewards of being able to connect with students from anywhere, and tailor education to their specific needs, has made me a better educator.
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