9.1 Before the course starts

My course starts this evening. Right now, I’m feeling more than a little underprepared!

Aim

To think about the course before it starts and to pre-empt some potential problems.

Introduction

The language syllabus content of an online course (i.e. the systems and skills work) is likely to be very similar to the content of a real-world course – and that means that much of your preparation does not need to be significantly different. The difference is in the mode of delivery. When you start teaching online, you might notice all the things you can't do, such as you don't have a room to walk around in or you can't get everyone to stand up and mingle. However, as you grow in confidence, you will find that there are many ways to make online lessons every bit as satisfying and varied as real-world ones. That said, initially at least, it takes a lot of planning to make sure that your lessons are not just you plopped in front of your camera talking at length to passive learners.

Technique: Visualise your course before it kicks off

Before you start teaching, try to visualise a number of snapshots – generalised images and sound – of how you feel your online course will be. Doing this may help you make more detailed planning decisions later. Think about:

• • Are you mainly sitting in front of a camera talking at a bank of listening learners? If not, what is the general look of the class?

• • To the viewers, how do you appear? Relaxed? Apprehensive? Serious? Informal? Jolly? Business-like? Organised? Disorganised? Active? Locked in one position? Lively?