You're facing technical glitches in your online lesson. How can you ensure minimal disruption?

I’ve found that the best way to handle technical glitches during an online session is by being proactive before they even have a chance to happen. I always do a thorough check of my internet connection, audio, video, and the platform itself at least 15 minutes before going live. If I’m using slides or media, I open everything in advance to make sure it runs smoothly. I also keep backup tools ready just in case like a second device or hotspot. Most importantly, I let participants know at the beginning that if anything unexpected occurs, I’ll reconnect as quickly as possible. That kind of transparency helps maintain trust and keeps everyone calm if there is a hiccup.

I’d let my students know there's a hiccup. Keep them engaged and informed. I’d have an alternative platform or method prepped in case the primary one fails. If video conferencing crashes, I could pivot to sharing materials via email or a group chat and continue asynchronously If I can't reconnect quickly, I’d ask students to work on an activity they've been assigned previously or reflect on what we've covered. I might assign a quick brainstorming task, a short essay, or even a drawing related to the topic. Modeling problem-solving under pressure can be a bonus life lesson for students Use humor as a shield; "Looks like the internet’s taking a coffee break—shall we?" Humor can lighten the mood and keep students connected to the experience.

As I see it, minimizing disruption during online lessons starts long before class begins. Running preemptive checks, updating software, and testing equipment helps avoid last-minute surprises. I also believe in preparing a simple Plan B—whether it's a backup platform, offline materials, or an email-ready summary. Staying calm and involving students when glitches occur keeps the energy positive and the learning on track. What’s your go-to backup when tech troubles show up mid-lesson?

Technical glitches can happen to anyone, but preparation makes all the difference. I always have a backup device ready, ensure my internet connection is stable, and keep key materials downloadable for participants. If issues arise, I communicate clearly and quickly—whether it's via email, chat, or a quick post—so everyone stays informed and we can resume with minimal delay. Flexibility and transparency go a long way in maintaining trust and flow.

I’d stay calm, quickly switch to a backup plan like pre-sent materials or a recorded lesson, and keep communication open with students so they stay informed and engaged.

I usually have a few other platforms as backup. Also, I would have some assignments ready in case we can't rectify the situation quickly. I can send over the assignments via email or walk my students through how to do the assignments via phone call.

I always have a few resources prepared for my online classes. We usually use Google Classrooms but if something goes wrong, I also have it downloaded. And if that's not loading or if the file goes missing, I would have already opened up a few tabs of Quizziz or Kahoots or just some short stories for us to read aloud and have some discussions aka "Speaking practices"!

From my viewpoint, having a backup plan is a non-negotiable in online teaching. Technology is unpredictable, but your ability to adapt doesn’t have to be. Keeping lesson materials in multiple formats and knowing your alternative platforms ahead of time ensures a quick pivot when needed. It’s not just about staying on track - it’s about modeling resilience for your students. What are your essentials in a reliable Plan B setup?

Always have a contingency plan in place for content you plan to deliver. In case of unforeseen glitches, have materials prepared that students can access independently. Whenever possible, prepare both a standard backup activity that can be applied to any lesson, and a lesson-specific backup that aligns with the day’s content.

When technical issues arise during class, it's important to maintain open and honest communication with your students. Let them know what the problem is and what you are doing to fix it. Being honest helps your students stay calm and understand that these things can happen. If the issue takes time to fix, give your students something they can do on their own. You might ask them to read, write, or complete a simple task while you work on solving the problem. It's also helpful if you prepare your students ahead of time. At the start of the course, tell them what to expect if there are tech issues. That way, you don't need to explain everything during a stressful moment, and your students will know what to do.

In my opinion, clear and calm communication during a tech issue can make all the difference. Students respond well when they understand what’s happening and feel included in the process. Letting them know you’re working on a fix while giving them a purposeful task keeps the class moving and maintains trust. It turns a disruption into a moment of shared patience and flexibility. How do you keep your students engaged when the tech hits pause?

If possible, it is a good idea to post some basic troubleshooting tips with step-by-step instructions and screenshots in a place where students can easily find them if they ever encounter difficulties.

Always have extra materials and resources available! And inform their parents of it. So that if the online classes do not go as planned, at least the objective of the lesson would still be met through other means.

🛠️1. 𝙉𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙮 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙞𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮 Inform participants of the course outage by text message, WeChat group, or email, and state the expected recovery time. 2.𝙀𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠-𝙪𝙥 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢 Temporarily transfer to other platforms (e.g. Zoom, Tencent Conference) or offer recorded courses. 3.𝙌𝙪𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙡𝙮 𝙛𝙞𝙭 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙢 Technicians immediately troubleshoot and handle the fault, reschedule the course if necessary. 4.𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙢 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨' 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 Offer make-up lessons, extended study time or small gifts as compensation. 5.𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙯𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 Record the cause of the failure and optimize the system to prevent recurrence.

I have found that facing these difficulties with confidence and a small dose of humor can go a long way towards reassuring students and keeping them engaged despite temporary delays. The students need to know that these things happen, that you have dealt with problems like this before and that you will still cover everything they need to know.