2020 was a tumultuous year for the world, and Singapore was no exception. The circuit breaker instituted mandatory homestay for all but the most essential workers, forcing traditional companies and institutions to adapt or be left behind.
Zoom meetings and virtual presentations became the new normal in business and education sectors. As face-to-face interaction became a limited commodity, our abilities in leadership, communication and teamwork were put to the test. We’ve experienced video calls where one speaker interrupted another and they ended up talking over each other. Limitations in technology such as latency (transmission lag time between speaker and listener) necessitated new codes of turn-taking in speech.
Tips to make the most of home-based learning sessions:
1. Keep your desk tidy for an easy set-up.
2. Prop up your camera to eye-level. (e.g. with a stack of books)
3. Have a table lamp or other light source behind your camera. (Illuminate your
face without raising screen brightness)
4. Give students frequent opportunities to ask questions.
5. Remind household members to kindly reduce noise during lessons.
6. Tools such as Google Docs allow teachers and students to type concurrently.
Home-based learning is here to stay, and will continue to evolve with the rapidly changing times.
This article was first published in the popular bookstore's POPClub Magazine
- Our English tutor - Mr Jonathan Cheng, 21 st Jan ’21
