10 ways to improve teacher-student communication in remote classrooms

Distance learning and digital education have opened up many opportunities for students worldwide, allowing them to learn flexibly and conveniently. With course materials and lectures made available online, students can learn on their own terms.

By leveraging online tools and resources, teachers can provide a personalized learning experience for students' needs and learning styles. Therefore, effective teacher-student communication is key to ensuring the success of digital education. 

Although distance learning has many incredible benefits, it also has a few challenges; one of which is consistent teacher-student communication. Many students feel like they need to receive a different level of communication than they would if they were in a traditional classroom setting. 

How can you improve teacher-student communication?

Let’s look at 10 effective techniques teachers can use to improve communication with their students in a remote classroom. 

1. Give positive feedback on the go

This is a simple,yet effective way to improve communication and foster a sense of support and collaboration between teachers and students and can be done in various ways, such as:

• Offering verbal praise or encouragement during class and one-on-one interactions can help students feel more motivated and confident in their work.‍
• Sending personalized emails or messages to students can help teachers build stronger relationships with their students and show that they are invested in their success.‍
• Providing written feedback on assignments will give students a sense of accomplishment and validation.

2. Learn how to deliver constructive feedback

Delivering constructive feedback in a clear and supportive manner can help improve communication and facilitate student growth and development.

Here are some tips for providing constructive feedback effectively:

• Focus on the behavior or action, not the person: Avoid using personal or critical language; instead, focus on specific actions or behaviors that can be improved upon.

• Be specific and objective: Provide specific examples of what the student did well and what they can work on rather than making general or subjective statements.

• Offer solutions or strategies for improvement: Provide concrete suggestions for how the student can improve.

3. Diversify communication

Diversifying communication can help improve teacher-student communication by providing multiple channels for communication and making it more inclusive and accessible for all students.

Here are a few ways to diversify communication:

• Use various communication tools: In addition to traditional methods like email and phone calls, consider using video conferencing platforms, messaging apps, and online forums to communicate with students. This can help students feel more connected to the class and give them multiple ways to reach out to their teachers.

• Encourage students to communicate differently: Some students may prefer written communication, while others may prefer verbal or visual communication. Encourage students to use the communication methods that they feel most comfortable with, and be open to using different ways yourself.

4. Make it safe to ask questions

This is an essential aspect of improving teacher-student communication. This is how you can create a safe environment for asking questions:

• Foster a supportive and non-judgmental classroom culture: Encourage students to ask questions and make it clear that there is no "stupid" question and that asking questions is an integral part of the learning process.

• Create opportunities for students to ask questions: Consider setting aside dedicated times for students to ask questions or offering one-on-one sessions to get individualized help.

5. Listen actively

Actively listening to students can help improve communication by showing that you value their thoughts and concerns and are committed to understanding their perspectives. Here are some ways to listen actively:

• Pay attention: Make an effort to focus on what the student is saying rather than thinking about what you will say next.

• Show that you are listening: Use nonverbal cues, such as nodding your head or eye contact, to show that you are paying attention.

• Avoid interrupting: Let the student finish speaking before jumping in with your thoughts or comments.

6. Ask for feedback

Asking for feedback is a powerful tool for improving teacher-student communication and can help you better understand and address the needs and concerns of your students.

Here are some ways to ask for feedback effectively:

• Ask specific questions: Rather than asking for general feedback, consider asking particular questions to help you improve your teaching or communication with students.

• Follow up on feedback: After receiving feedback, try to incorporate it into your teaching or communication practices. This shows students that you value their input and are committed to improving your teaching.

7. Be clear about the next steps and goals

Clear communication is essential to improving teacher-student communication and can help students feel more confident and successful in their learning. Here are some ways to clearly communicate the next steps and goals:

• Set clear expectations: Tell students what is expected of them regarding assignments, deadlines, and participation. This can help reduce confusion and uncertainty.

• Use clear and concise language: Avoid jargon or overly complex language; use clear and concise language that is easy to understand.

8. Show empathy

Being empathetic can help improve teacher-student communication by creating a more supportive and understanding learning environment. ‍

9. Use both 1-1 and group communication

Using both one-on-one and group communication can help teachers meet the diverse needs and preferences of their students and can also help create a more balanced and inclusive learning environment. 

10. Leverage the suitable technology

Teacher-student communication is crucial for an effective learning experience. Using the right tools can significantly improve the quality of communication by increasing accessibility, organization, collaboration, and flexibility. 

One such teacher-student communication app is Rocket.Chat. 

Rocket.Chat is a secure, open-source messaging platform designed to help universities facilitate communication between students, teachers, and external collaborators - regardless of location. The app is user-friendly, allows seamless exchange of texts, files, pictures, and audio, and participation in video calls for synchronous collaboration. It is also customizable and can be easily integrated with other tools.

All these features and capabilities certainly make Rocket.Chat an ideal tool for teacher-student communication and collaboration. 

Get in touch with our team and try Rocket.Chat today.