239: The nuances between good and great online music teachers

Now, let’s start this off with a question: don't you wish that you could be a fly on the wall in a successful online music studio? Like, understanding how they are successful with online live interactive lessons and how they navigate the student experience for courses? That’s what we’re talking about today… so cozy up, I’m excited! Whether you came to teaching online because you wanted to or because it was the only option available to you, I'm glad you're here and I'm glad that you are thinking about what else you can do to enhance your studio experiences for students. Live interaction This is where you are in front of the screen in real time with your students. Before the lesson begins, the teacher will get organized: Computer related equipment, such as camera(s), microphone(s), lighting, headphones and proximity to router/internet strength Teaching equipment and supplies, such as instruments, sheet music, audio files, video files, activities, games, PDFs, etc. Use checklists for this. You’ll thank yourself every time! Student readiness also involves a checklist and might include a sound check or quick check in prior to the first lesson. Making sure a student is ready for the lesson is a huge piece of the lesson being a success from the start, so be sure to communicate effectively and over deliver lesson links. I promise, this is valuable! Now, inside the live interactive lesson, don’t wing it and don’t take the lesson down to the second or minute. Just have a really good idea how to keep the student engaged and motivated during the entire interaction. The screen creates a barrier, do whatever you can to drop the barrier by making things fun and experiential. And wrap up your lessons with action steps, homework and recapping the session. If you’re using Muzie.Live then that is a perfect place to insert the post-lesson summary. And you can also include your pre-work list in their practice room. (No this podcast episode is not sponsored by Muzie, I just really like their software for online music lessons!) Asynchronous Student Interaction Let’s go through the touch points: how you interact with that student before, during and after they go through your course Before is from the time that they purchase your course through the time that they access that first lesson. The first communication is setting the stage and help them understand what they have signed up for. This can be done via email, text message, inside a facebook group, a slack channel, a discord channel or whatever your preference is. Make sure that your students feel like you are in communication with them and that you are giving the best of you to them so that they can truly do their best. There is no such thing as too much communication! Set expectations Equipment & supplies How they're going to access the content Links that they need What to do if there's a problem During is while they are actively learning and working through the course Assignments / feedback loops Quizzes and self-assessments Open door / office hours / q&a calls Regular email communication Music is not created in a vacuum, It is created through energy. When your students feel like you are pouring energy into them by providing them with feedback and with a space where they can experiment, they are going to continue to show up to the material. They are going to succeed! After the course is complete is when they are done with it (or no longer have access to the material) Ask for a testimonial and feedback. Encourage them to take the next step (and tell them what you believe is a great follow up to this course.) Send a survey Send a certificate of completion Shout them out on social media Make a big deal about it. It's not a lot of work from your side and it is so well received A few special links for you: ConvertKit Let’s Connect on Instagram Jump on a call with me It's time! Round 3 of the Online Music Course Accelerator is open for application. Click here for details.