Table 2 Summary of teachers’ challenges and strategies

Learner-related challenge

 Student resistance

Provided psychosocial support; Used humor; Exhibited patience, understanding, and compassion

 Cost of Internet data for students

Recorded and uploaded lectures; Observed time flexibility; Shifted to the free data version of SNS

 Online distractions

Involved students in crafting online class guidelines; Explained all the policies and requirements at the start of the term; Asked students to turn on their camera

 SNS fatigue

Adjusted the course schedule/timeline; Reduced the synchronous sessions

Technical challenge

 Poor Internet connectivity

Recorded and uploaded lectures; Observed time flexibility; Sought help from their superiors

 Complexity of SNS affordances

Engaged in self-directed learning and explored these SNS affordances themselves; Sought support and help from their colleagues; Participated in webinars

Teaching delivery and assessment challenge

 Monitoring students’ performance and engagement

Used a buddy system and peer assessment; Used the different SNS affordances

 Increased accountability

Involved students in crafting online class guidelines

Psychosocial challenge

 Feeling of isolation

Sought advice from peers; Psyched oneself that a teacher could not join students’ group chat

 Intrusion of privacy

Set clear boundaries on when and how they could be contacted by students; Did fact-checking