Page 57 - R1Guidebook_Final revised version for translation after visual changes_EN

56

The interviewed teachers strongly indicates that digital literacy is in their opinion
much more important skill than any pedagogical skill. Especially in the early stages of
someone’s online class experience. Digital literacy allows them to effectively look for
interesting materials online, how to create their own materials or exercises or finally,
how to use communication software and take advantage of all the features that it pro-
vides.

Thanks to the knowledge about looking for information online they are able to find
new strategies of teaching online, exchange ideas with other teachers, find better tools
and ways to implement practical exercises. Also, it allows them to identify the issues,
know what kind of hardware do they need in order to increase the quality of their
teaching, like better camera, microphone etc. In many cases digital literacy skills al-
lowed them to avoid or resolve problems related to the internet connection.

4.4.1 TRANSVERSAL COMPETENCES TO SUPPORT DIGITAL EDUCATIONAL
SETTINGS

CLASS MANAGEMENT TO ENGAGE LEARNERS
Beside technical skills some soft skills were listed as well, but most of the educators
indicated that in their opinion soft skills wasn’t as important in online classes as in tra-
ditional classes. Class management have been mentioned most consistently among
interviewed teachers, the skill of keeping all of the participants engaged and interest-
ed, to stay in the class time frames so each point can be evenly emphasized, and be
delivered in proper form. Other skill worth mentioning was creativity, as with help of
the materials found online, allows teachers to invent their own way of teaching and to
adjust their teaching program to the needs of specific learners.

PRESENTATION SKILLS TO RAISE MOTIVATION
Keeping learners’ motivation and engagement seems to be the biggest struggle for
educators. While using technology it is easy to be distracted or to lose focus. It’s hard
to avoid that and there is no direct strategy to deal with it. Although the teachers em-
phasized the importance of presentation skills. If the presentation is engaging, have a
lot of interesting information and is delivered in accessible way, the learners motiva-
tion seems to be increased. Keeping the communication going is another important
aspect. To ask question and to allow other to ask them and encourage to do it have a
great impact on student’s attention. Also gaining feedback from learners is important,
because not only it is used to adjust the class in terms of what is and what is not inter-
esting but also it gives them a feeling that they are contributing to how the class look
like.