What Is Remote Learning and How to Make It Effective

What Does Remote Learning Mean

First, let’s figure out the remote learning definition. According to the dictionary (and common sense), it is a form of education that includes physical separation of teachers and students during class. It is remedied by technology usage that provides the possibility of communication. What a mouthful! In other words, if you’re physically unable to attend your class but have, for example, Google Meet at hand, you can still be present. This is a great option if you work full-time. And it is the best option if you live far to attend classes. What is even better — most universities and colleges implement remote learning in their programs. So, there are higher chances for you to attend a class this way!

It also has two options:

1. Asynchronous learning It is basically individual education when a professor focuses attention and effort solely on one person.
2. Synchronous learning It is a fancy way of explaining having a whole class worth of students studying virtually and at the same time.

An excellent example of remote learning is language learning, both in terms of self-study and live tutoring, as well as learning online to play an instrument, e.g. the violin.

Why Remote Learning Is Different From Distance Learning?

Not that we learned what is remote learning, but it's time to tackle yet another question: Is it at all different from distance learning? Or can you use these two terms interchangeably? Well, yes and no. Distance learning is usually considered to be something planned out and prepared for, especially for those who’d rather study less and work more. At the same time, remote learning itself emerged as a way to adjust to the lockdown that was caused by the coronavirus in 2022. In a way, it is an emergency version of distance learning with a dash of online learning.

Effective Remote Learning Strategies

With remote learning meaning is out of our way. We can talk about its benefits and strategies. There are many ways one can engage students in participation and actually be proactive. The question is how to make it happen effectively.

1. Remember to Include Everyone

Is remote learning effective or is it not, that is the question. Especially if you have an entire class worth of students and somehow you must keep in mind every one of them. Before the lesson, clearly set the objectives and rules. (It includes using cameras and microphones being on/off). Ensure that dialog is a vital portion of your class. Do you have any shy students that are easily out shadowed by outspoken ones? Make sure they participate too! Give them different incentives and wisely pair them with other participants. Also, don’t forget about the feedback from your students. It will help you to assess how well they perform and whether you should change or optimize your course.

2. Stay Flexible

Remote learning is very different from your traditional in-class learning! It is easy to forget that this new system has its own quirks. It won’t work if your mindset is stuck with the way “it was before”. Now, it’s an easier way for students to cheat during a test. You’d be hardly able to tell if they listen to your lecture at all during regular lessons. The same goes for students’ anxiety which can suddenly spark up during class, making it impossible for them to focus and be productive. 

What can you do to fix it? Be flexible and attentive to your students. Remember that dialog is a key to success in most cases. So if any of your teaching strategies seems ineffective now (even though they worked flawlessly before), be prepared to adjust them. You can also check out various examples of remote learning on the web to see other professors’ experiences and figure out what you’ve been missing this whole time.

3. Use Technology

Remote learning is a new and interesting concept that taught many people to use different online programs in order to actually be able to learn. But while most students are usually stuck with Google Docs, professors are responsible for many other features. For example, to keep up with the lesson’s plan, you might want to use video streaming. This way you’d be able to showcase your own desktop and any important document that’s on it to your audience. Another option is screen recording! It will be great in the long run, especially if you have students that were unable to attend but still want to have a full idea of what the class was about. Record your lesson during a previously mentioned stream. And put the file into a shared folder in Google Drive.

Just remember to be on board with everyone in the class. Make sure both they and you know how to use any new piece of technology that might be needed during a lesson.

4. Create Digital Office Hours

Sometimes remote learning in an established time frame isn’t enough. Sometimes you have students that need a little bit more explaining or those who missed (or straight up skipped) a class and now need to submit their papers, etc. So, create digital office hours! This can be a great way for you and your student to be effective! You, as a professor, will have an opportunity to get much-needed feedback from your students. They’ll have one-on-one support they might actually need.

Platforms to do this are plenty. The most classic of them is Google Calendar and Hangout Meets. But you can try your luck with (for example) Discord if you’re feeling bold.

5. Bring Out Information in Brief Doses

Add examples! Remember that using remote learning can be stressful not only for you but your students, especially if they are of younger age. Now you won’t have the luxury of a physical blackboard or any other interactive object you might need in a regular class. This is why you should keep your information dosed, constantly returning to every new bit of it. So, your students would remember it better. Moreover, it’s a good idea to start any new lesson with a test to check if students actually remember what they’ve been studying in their previous class at home.