5 Investments to make in your VIPKID Classroom Set-up
Hello everyone! Are you a new online teacher and don't know where to start on your online classroom set-up? Or are you a veteran teacher and want to know how & where to invest in your company? Either way, this post has you covered as we talk about 5 investments to make in your VIPKID classroom.
First of all, check out this video from Nancy all about her classroom set-up. This video is old but still very applicable in setting up your classroom today.
You can snag Nancy's Classroom Set-Up Guide HERE if you haven't already! It has all the details on getting set-up!
1. Equipment:
Let's start here first because even in the application process, you will need basic equipment to get hired.
You must be set-up with a desktop, laptop, Mac, or Surface device with an HD external or HD integrated camera and a headset with a microphone.
Your device must have a minimum operating system of Windows7 or Mac OS 10.x, a memory of at least 4GB RAM, and a stable internet connection (Ethernet recommended) of at least 20 Mbps.
Make sure you’re also up to date on the latest Flash Version and using at least Chrome Version 51 or Firefox Version 47.
If you meet all these minimum requirements, you’re all set and ready to teach!
2. Background:
My advice to you on this would be: keep it simple, show your style, and make it useful to you.
In my classroom, have used a white board, magnet board, draped fabric, and currently have a shower curtain hung as my background. There are so many possibilities but might I suggest checking out the Taylor Shop with these awesome maps and pom-poms. Super easy and cute!
That adorable customized wooden Teacher Name Plate (shown above) is from Saw & Pepper. Too Cute!
3. Props:
This category is one where you can be very minimal or GO BIG. It's up to you and your teaching style. I fall somewhere in between with a mix of 2D clip art pictures and 3D clothing and toys. After teaching for a while you will find what props you use the most and the ones you never touch. Pro Tip: Raid your kid's toy bins ;) I promise I won't tell!
Some great props to get you started: puppets, flashcards and a whiteboard. As you start teaching you will find what you need. If you are looking to be very minimal here, I would suggest a whiteboard and google images on your phone. It will help as you get your footing as to what props you really need as you teach.
Other ideas include: posters, headbands, holiday decor, hats, glasses, stuffed animals, finger puppets, legos and play food. The sky's the limit!
Meg & Mike Dolls (aren't they the cutest?)
4. Rewards:
VIPKid recommends having a secondary reward system ready for each class to help motivate and build relationships with the student. You want your lesson to be fun and this is a major part of that.
Per Nancy's recommendation, I have loved using the Stars-to-Apples App as my reward system recently. It is great for accommodating to both the lesson topic and student level. It also includes clip-art props, whiteboard function, and multiple reward games. My students love this reward system!
Find-A-Star is an easy game that most student know or catch onto very quickly. This is just putting stars behind a set of numbers and letting the students guess where they are. I have found out the hard way that you should also put something behind the numbers without stars, or you will have one disappointed student on the other side of the screen. 
Other reward ideas include: sticker books for regular students, racetracks with cars through the lesson, reading apps, guess the word, or drawing a picture with the student.
5. Apparel:
Now, one of the many perks to this job is that you get to teach in your pajamas. But that doesn't mean you need to look like a scrub on top! There are so many cute and affordable tops out there created specifically for online teachers. Check out these great shops and support your fellow online teachers!
Online Teacher Clothing Shops:
Resources:
Another great video to see some of Nancy's favorites can be found here. It has awesome information from some of her favorite things to use in her classroom.
You can also get access to her free classroom set-up guide with links to her recommendations by clicking here.
More great places to look:
- Target dollar spot
- Walmart Party section
- Ikea
- Dollar Store
- Official VIPKID store
I hope that you found this information helpful and that you can use it to set-up your online classroom. Remember these are investments into making your business as an online teacher successful! I hope you have fun creating a fun and safe place for your students to succeed. Later Skaters!
