Over the course of two evenings in late August and early September, twenty-eight new and returning volunteers took part in LCNV’s 6-hour Instructor Training led by staff members Amy, Ashley, Melissa, Soo, and Xavier via Zoom. Gleaning insights on distance learning from the EdTech Center, ProLiteracy, and other sources, staff modified the training to focus on teaching adult learners remotely. In addition to learning how to teach and develop English language and literacy skills, participants became more comfortable with key educational features of Zoom such as annotation and screensharing, which they can use to better engage and reach LCNV students online.
On the second evening, we invited several current instructors, recognized for their commitment and quality of work in teaching online, to be guest speakers. We would like to thank Stan, Daria, Jane, Mindi, Stacy, Kobi, Maria, Laurie, and Bill for sharing their tips and experiences and answering participants’ questions.
Of course, learning how best to teach does not end with the Instructor Training. Fall semester instructors will be invited to join weekly chats to trade stories, ask questions, and share tips with one another. And LCNV continues to curate and recommend articles, webinars, and more professional learning opportunities on our website at https://englishempowermentcenter.org/instructor-resources/. Resources are updated monthly. Check it out!