What is discipline in the virtual classroom? It's the mutual understanding and agreement between Rubilan teachers and students/clients regarding rules, aimed at ensuring a smooth and effective learning process. But you might wonder, "How does this apply to my role as an online educator?" The answer: it's highly relevant! Why? Even in the digital classroom, discipline is essential.

In essence, whether you're an in-person instructor or an online tutor, you can establish rules and define boundaries.

The Logic of Discipline

It's often said that the customer (student/client) is always right. This holds true. Students are investing in online educational services, a principle applicable across industries, including education. However, virtual classroom discipline remains crucial. Without it, unexpected behaviors, rule violations, and boundary breaches can occur. Is this favorable for the teacher? Is it the best choice for the student? Should clients determine discipline rules themselves, or should teachers play a role?

The Role of an Educator

An online teacher's primary role is to teach! Effective teaching requires defining a set of rules. However, these rules aren't necessarily the same as those in a traditional classroom. This new paradigm demands detailed consideration. For instance, if you were a traditional teacher and a student walked into class wearing a cap, classroom etiquette dictates cap removal. But how does this translate to the virtual classroom? Would you be bothered? How would you react? Consider another scenario: teaching adults English online, and a student suddenly starts sipping a beer. How would you respond? Were rules set beforehand? What are the school's policies? Now, imagine a similar online class scenario. Should you address it? Does it concern you? Here's a purely virtual example: a student multitasking during class.

Who is Affected?

Some might think, "As long as I'm teaching and being paid, it's fine." Indeed, it's the client's prerogative. They sought your services, and you provided them. Period.

But the real question is whether pre-defined rules would benefit both educators and primarily students at the outset of their learning journey. If so, what type of rules could be established?

Defining Rules

Remember the purpose of classroom discipline mentioned earlier? It's about creating an enhanced experience that drives student progress. Therefore, rules should be collaboratively defined by you and the prospective student, focusing on education over commerce. "Clients" seek tangible outcomes, while "students" aim to learn. After this distinction, what kind of rules might you establish in the virtual classroom? Here are just suggestions, subject to your student base:

  • Active Participation: Tailoring topics to accommodate shy students, fostering engagement.
  • Speaking Pace: Being mindful of speaking speed; adjusting if necessary to prevent student confusion.
  • Technical Hiccups: Acknowledging that technical glitches happen, and outlining contingencies.
  • Webcam Use: Emphasizing the benefits of webcam usage for pronunciation guidance.
  • Noise-Free Environment: Encouraging a distraction-free space for effective learning.

In Conclusion

Where to from here? The ball is in your court! Is online classroom discipline imperative? Yes. Who takes charge of rules and boundaries? The educator. What rules and boundaries should be implemented? A collaborative decision between you and the student. The overarching goal is to achieve mutual success. You gain a student who appreciates your methodical, organized approach, while the student gains more opportunities for progress. While rules aren't set in stone, there's no need to reinvent the wheel either. With reinforced insights into online classroom discipline, you can enhance your students' experiences and your own teaching journey.

Best wishes for your endeavors on Rubilan!