How to Make Online Learning More Engaging and Interactive

TIPS PROVIDED BY OUR LEAD INSTRUCTOR, BENWAR SHEPARD:

As we transition into a distance learning model for the upcoming school year, it is important as teachers that we deliver engaging and high-quality learning experiences for our students.

Here are a few practices I’ve utilized within the virtual classroom to make sure I’m providing the best learning experience possible for my students.

Provide a variety of activities for your students, including synchronous and asynchronous learning

It’s difficult to stare at a screen all day with limited, in-person interaction. For this reason, it is important that we remain active in the online classroom.

Try starting off the class with an introductory video you sourced online. Give your students exercises to complete during class. Take the time to check-in with your students. Give your students time to work in class at their own pace, and have them share their responses with the class. Offer your students many opportunities to speak or present their ideas. Keep the conversation flowing to spark interest and keep your students eager to participate.

Keep your student’s attention spans in mind

In today’s digital world, it’s crucial that we keep our student’s attention. Modern technology has filled our lives with never-ending distractions, impacting the way we consume information. We have to deliver our messages in a way that keeps our students focused.

Make sure to provide direct instructions in small, digestible chunks. Depending on the age group, the information should be provided in blocks of 3 -5 minutes (no more than 5 minutes at a time).

Social interaction during a pandemic

Some of our students are only getting social interaction through their schooling online. There has to be room for some type of social interaction through fun activity.

Kahoot! is a fun trivia game available on Zoom and Google Meet that encourages learning at all levels. The chat box is also a good option for communication in any video conferencing platform.

Expectations in this new model of learning

This is a new model of learning and we should not reinforce old expectations into this new model. We have to update our class guidelines to be realistic.

It’s not our students’ fault that we are in this situation. As we adjust, we must make sure we’re not on autopilot. We need to consistently consider the new time, the setting in which they are learning in, and what things they may or may not have access to in their home. Most importantly, we should not punish them for the things out of their control.

Our students’ emotional needs and expressional outlets

As we’re countering a pandemic and a social setting we’ve never seen before, we have to find ways to tend to the emotional needs of our students as well. Our students need us as a support system too.

Provide one-on-one check-ins for those who could use the extra time to chat. Take the time to ask how your students are doing and what’s going on in their lives because teachers are oftentimes their main interaction throughout the day.

Provide expressional outlets such as journal prompts to get them in the routine of expressing their emotions. Any form of creativity (whether it’s art, music, writing, etc) can help them translate their feelings into an expressive, physical form.

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