First things first, LET’S CELEBRATE!
If you’re looking for some great tips for teaching your first online class, you’ve come to the right place! First, let’s take a moment to CELEBRATE! You’ve booked your first student, YAAAY. This is an amazing accomplishment! All the hard work and effort you put into creating your class is about to pay off! I can’t wait for you to experience teaching online!
…Now what?
The night before teaching online for the first time was filled with feelings of nervousness and excitement. What really helped with these feelings was being as prepared as possible for any “what if” scenario. I am going to provide my best tips for teaching online and the things I did to have a successful first day of class so you can too!
Number 1: Test your internet speed before your first class!
When teaching online live classes, having a great internet connection is essential. You don’t have to be a tech guru to find out what your internet speed is. Head on over to Speedtest.net. Once on the site, hit the big “GO” button, wait 1 minute for your results, and BAM. You just tested your internet speed! You can also download the free Speedtest mobile app by Ookla to test your connection on your mobile device. I would recommend doing this in addition to testing your primary devices, just in case you need a backup.
When the internet speed is tested, pay attention to the two numbers that show your download speed and upload speed. These are the two numbers that will determine if the internet connection is stable enough to teach online. The very bare minimum to teach online would be around 8-10 Mbps for a download speed and 2-5 Mbps for an upload speed. If you can, hardwire directly into the internet router with an ethernet cord. If not, just make sure your internet speed meets the platform requirements.
These requirements are going to vary depending on what virtual platform you are teaching with. I teach with a platform called Zoom. If you’re using Zoom, make sure to check the requirements on their website before listing your class!
Number 2: Have a reliable and organized workstation!
Teaching online can be a huge transition if you have brick-and-mortar classroom experience. Just like in a classroom, you’re going to need a designated area to teach. Whether you have an office, a nook in your bedroom, or space on your dining room table, make this space your own! Ensure you have the following things in your “classroom” to have a successful first class:
- Appropriate lighting
- Soundproof headset with a microphone attachment
- Decorations
- A desk
- Private desk organizer and divider
- Planner
- Whiteboard
I listed the exact items I use in my classroom below. All the items I use are from Amazon, super affordable, and prime eligible! These are affiliate links, so purchasing directly through my link helps me out with a very small commission!
Number 3: Practice!
Take some time to learn the ins and outs of the platform you are utilizing for teaching. Learn how to do some basic troubleshooting, how to adjust sound, fix video quality, share your screen, etc.
Before teaching my first class, I did a mock class with a couple of my friends! I sent them a private zoom link and actually ran through my entire class as if they were my students. It was such a fun way to catch up with friends, learn more about the platform from an admin role, and do a trail of my class. I even convinced one of my friends to sign up for Outschool! In case you’ve been thinking about signing up for Outschool, check out my blog Why You Should Become Your Own Boss With Outschool.
Number 4: Get rest!
Sleep is so important! Getting a good night’s rest might be a little challenging because of those feelings of nervousness and excitement, but the consequences of lack of sleep are way worse. Without a night of good sleep, you’ll probably be pretty irritable, moody, and have a short fuse, which is a terrible mixture for teaching.
It can be really hard to focus and be the best version of you with little to no sleep. Sleep is a pretty big commitment, but there are some things you can do to prepare well in advance to ensure you get a great night’s sleep.
The day before class:
- Get a good workout in
- Eat a healthy dinner filled with whole foods
- Set your alarm and put your phone on do not disturb at least 1 hour before bed
- Journal before bed to get out any negative thoughts and feelings
The day of class and tips to avoid fatigue:
- Don’t hit the snooze button
- Drink some ice-cold water
- Eat a nutritious meal
- Get a workout in if you can. If not a morning walk or yoga
- Review your class notes
- Coffee
- Okay, coffee can actually add to fatigue, but for me, it’s a non-negotiable. I’ll drink half a cup right before I start my morning class and finish the rest after as a little reward! If you’re interested in buying me a coffee, you can check out my Ko-Fi account HERE.
Number 5: Believe in yourself!
Not to sound cliche at all, but seriously YOU GOT THIS. You’ve made it this far and should be celebrating! Teaching online and getting students to enroll in your class is no easy task, but you did it! Just think, the student and parent picked you specifically for a reason! It could be because of your educational background, subject expertise, or because you’re offering an incredible class! Whatever the reason is, just know that you are going to absolutely crush it!
