There’s been a bit of a lack of content here. Cavic has moved to the teaching Physics online world and it’s been a ride. I started teaching remote, like the rest of the world, during COVID. I loved it so much that I decided to move my career in that direction.

So here we are, a year later. Moving to full-time online teaching is definitely a transition, especially with a course like Physics. Here are five things I’ve learned teaching virtual Physics.

1. Know your course

I know it’s impossible to do everything yourself. Don’t reinvent the wheel and all that. However, it’s important to know the course and content you are teaching. As obvious as that may seem, a lot of schools and districts buy premade programs that teachers had no input in. If this is the case, learn the content and the way it is presented to your students. Write review guides and/or make videos for students to clarify information that needs it and teach things “your way.”

Whether you have the luxury of going through the entire course before teaching it or you simply go through the next unit the week before you start it, make sure you go through all information students receive and experience your course as a student. I have always used resources with this principle: Never assign something to students that you have not completed yourself.

Never assign something to students that you have not completed yourself.

Cavicchia teacher creed

2. Quality resources are essential

In the classroom, you, the teacher, are always there to answer questions and see when students need help. In online spaces, you lose that sense of when students need you. Enter quality, teacher-made resources. Start with identifying areas in your course that students typically have trouble with or have common misconceptions about. Create a help site for students with videos, lab template documents, guided notes, etc. to help them when you aren’t available.

Image of a Google Site students can access to located help resources. Having a place students can go 24/7 for help is a great tool when teaching Physics online.
You can make a simple, easy to create and use help site using Google Sites

If you need help finding quality resources to supplement your course, here are some of my favorite resources for Physics and Astronomy.

Of course, you don’t have to do all of this upfront, but it’s an excellent goal to build towards as you make your way through your first year of online teaching. Try to consistently add to your library of resources as you have time.

3. You can and should still do labs when teaching Physics online!

Hands-on, inquiry-based learning is SO important in Physics. Physics really is a course of doing. Labs are arguably even more important in a virtual setting – students have trouble connecting and engaging with just words and problems.

There are a ton of resources and simulations out there to help foster that hands-on experience in a virtual setting. Focus on adding and/or creating labs that have students actually manipulate variables, mimicking a real lab setting. PhET has amazing simulations for almost every topic in Physics. I also love oPhysics – they aren’t as flashy, but they have a ton of simulations to work with.

Image of an oPhysics simulation on Uniform Acceleration in One Dimension - one of the many simulations they offer.
Here’s an example of a great GeoGebra-based simulation from oPhysics.

4. Make yourself approachable and available

I know every school and district has different policies in place about how you are allowed to communicate with students. Work within your restraints and make yourself available to your students in as many ways as possible.

Google Voice has truly been game-changing – I love being able to text students from a work-only number. Students tend to see and respond to texts faster than any other method of communication. They also are more open to reaching out to me than through video channels – the camera-shyness is real!

Image of a sample daily teacher schedule created in Google Calendar. Having set times you are available to students will help create expectations and boundaries.
Be open and available, but within reason. Make a schedule for yourself and students to set expectations and boundaries. Here is an example day schedule for how I break up my day.

You can also offer live lessons, Zoom office hours, and hours in which you will quickly respond to emails. Make yourself a schedule to not overwork yourself, but have times when students know they can get a quick response from you.

5. Be understanding and flexible

Virtual learning can be a challenge. Some students thrive in a self-paced environment. Some students need structure and due dates. Be prepared to accommodate different levels of structure for your students.

The same goes for due dates and timelines. Depending on your online Physics situation, you may have students juggling a lot of classes in-person and online. Set realistic expectations and be flexible if things change! Communication really is key for successfully teaching Physics online.

There are my top five things I’ve learned the last year teaching Physics online. If you’ve made the transition to online or blended learning, I hope these tips have been useful in structuring your course and resources for your students. Happy teaching!