Welcome to the world of online classes, where the rules are made up and the background noises are real. As someone who has been teaching online for years, I've learned a few things about how to handle this strange and wonderful world. So, sit back, relax, and let me take you on a tour of how to handle an online class. First and foremost, we need to address the elephant in the room: people who keep their videos off. I get it, I really do. Maybe you're in your pajamas, maybe your hair is a mess, maybe you're just having a bad day. But here's the thing: I'm a teacher, not a mind reader. I need to see your face so I know you're paying attention, or at the very least, alive. Now, let's talk about those background noises. We've got dogs barking, babies crying, construction workers drilling, and don't even get me started on the mysterious rustling sounds that seem to come from nowhere. It's like a symphony of chaos. But fear not, my dear students, for I have a solution. Meet my new best friend: the mute button. If you have a lot of background noise, just mute yourself until it's your turn to speak. It's that simple. And if you forget to unmute, well, that's just part of the charm of online classes. But perhaps the biggest challenge of online classes is maintaining engagement. It's hard to keep students interested when they're staring at a screen all day, and it's even harder when they're in the comfort of their own homes. So, I've come up with a few creative solutions to combat boredom. For example, why not have a virtual scavenger hunt? Ask students to find an object in their house that starts with each letter of the alphabet, or challenge them to find the most unusual object they can. Or, have them act out a scene from a play or movie, with each student taking on a different role. At the end of the day, teaching online can be a wild ride, but it's also incredibly rewarding. Watching my students grow and learn, despite all the obstacles, is truly a joy. And hey, at least I don't have to worry about traffic or finding a parking spot. So, to all my fellow online teachers out there, keep calm and carry on. And remember: mute is your friend. Team SOP #OnlineClassStruggles
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