Thread by @GongGasGirl

Lahiru Amaratunge

Unlocking the opportunities of lockdowns
– the unexpected rewards of educating online

#ACE22TAS

'Accidental online educator since 2020' @lahiru82

#ACE22TAS

Free YouTube channel: ABC's of anaesthesia.

"I just really love teaching.'

#ACE22TAS

youtube.com/c/ABCsofAnaest…

Started by running courses in his own time to fill gaps in knowledge. But then the in person courses had to be cancelled. Covid stopped everything.

#ACE22TAS

But people still needed to learn.
So I started running the classes online.
People from all around Australia could log in and learn.

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What were the fears of teaching online?
Which were real and which were exaggerated?

Will this be interactive? Will the learning be effective? Legal aspects? Internet issues?

(ooooh 90 students online and the building internet cuts out ..can a 5G hotspot last 6 hrs)

#ACE22TAS

Exaggerated concerns: criticism, trolling, recorded for ever.

Appreciated much more than trolled.
Will be judged for past efforts. But we can evolve. It's not a bad thing to learn and get better and move on.

#ACE22TAS

His tips for trolls?

Just screen shot the most ridiculous comments and laugh with your friends.

'the water boy is more skilled than this guy'

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Ignore what they say - in fact don't be afraid to reinvent the wheel.

Our usual systems are prohibitively slow for learning / refining / perfecting - stakeholders, what's available now, consensus and buy in.

#ACE22TAS

Tips for online educating:

Aim for progress not perfection.
Learn from failure.
'The best is the enemy of the good.' Voltaire

If you want to go fast go alone, go far go together.

Soon became apparent how much work involved in the videos.

Publishing your work brings exposure, criticism and collaboration.

Inspires people to contribute.

Collaborates with about 20 people now.

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Accountability = Motivation.

Notes traditional university lecturers have a set audience who will always have to attend.

Online:

Audience isn't guaranteed
Audience pays for a product.
Survival of fittest.

Product must be good.

#ACE22TAS

Want to teach online?

Extremely low start up cost.
Just need a smartphone and an internet connection to start. Free video editing software.

Add ons
iMovie, devinci resolve, you tube lessons
(Or - you can pay $10/hr for someone to edit for you )
Microphone
Lighting

#ACE22TAS

Legal stuff about teaching online in a nutshell.

Accurate and in area of expertise
Must not advertise, offer gift discount inducements
Don't endorse products, meds, techniques
Disclaimer if sponsor
Rigorous patient consent if involved
Don't give medical advice

#ACE22TAS

Unexpected wins / brags:

Appreciative audience lifts you up
Worldwide audience who consume online education, patients benefit
Exponential effect - millions of views, you tube 2nd largest search engine
Practice, practice, practice - I record anything I think is useful
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Constructive criticism = ongoing learning.

Thousands of reviewers.

Keeps you honest.

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Hot tip for online learning starts with an explicit email to attendees around expectations.
Get your wifi sorted, babysitting, sort out groups - attendees go into break out WhatsApp video'ing each other (doesn't use b/out rooms cause too hard compared to WA).
#ACE22TAS