HOW TO ENGAGE STUDENTS IN ONLINE CLASSES AND TEACH EFFECTIVELY

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented challenge for academic institutions to adapt classroom teaching to the online learning environment rapidly. As higher learning institutions are investing resources to increase the capacity of their technological infrastructure and prepare their faculty for the use of digital teaching tools, it is imperative for educators to focus on the pedagogical aspects of online teaching. In online learning environments, educators are often challenged by the need to strike a balance between delivering content to meet the course objectives and keeping learners engaged in the class activities.  Many institutions have provided effective teaching by engaging the students while teaching. 

So, here are some of the ways to engage students in online classes and to teach effectively. 

1. Motivate Students

Not all students are the same. They can have different learning ways and sometimes they need the motivation to bring their confidence out and feel motivated.

So, do not force them to complete assignments instead allow them to learn things their way. Try to find ways to help them get the most out of the class. Try more activities for online classes.

2. Provide active learning opportunities

Communication with students is very essential for the best outcome. Make the environment comfortable by introducing yourself to students and asking them to submit themselves to you.

Allow the students to contact you at the preferable time and allow them to break the barrier of hesitation for effective communication. This is how to engage students online.

A common misconception about online learning is that students only sit in front of their computers. That might be true if the course is designed that way, but one way to engage online learners is to get them out of their chairs and get them involved in active learning. One definition of active learning is “hands-on learning,” although that could probably include “hands-on your mouse,” which is not the suggestion here. Assign your online students to interview people working in the field, or to otherwise bring their learning out into the community where they live. Case studies, group projects, or gathering and analyzing local data are just a few of the many examples of active learning.

3. Plan Your Classes

In online teaching, students are absent physically and when all students will come online altogether to take the class is not confirmed.

As virtual students are not the same, their requirements can be different and they can come up with any doubt or question, so plan the class smartly.

Planning is crucial and before starting the class, get set with the syllabus and study materials.

With planning, you will get to know if the schedule of your students matches your classes.

4. Take Help Of Gamification

No doubt students love games and sometimes their passion for games is more than studies. So, try to add a gaming element to online teaching to make teaching interesting and effective. There are so many ways to add games things to the studies to teach students.

Try to teach them through playing games as per their intelligence quotients. There is no need to develop a separate or fully-fledged game. But, use some elements of games.

Also, rewarding badges or certificates for every achievement or performance of a student can be a great idea. It helps to encourage students as well.

5. Find what inspires your students

The good news is, just like in any face-to-face classroom, the real key to getting your online students involved is to find out what inspires them and gives them a reason to be engaged in the classroom.

Whether you’re teaching English online or a classroom teacher turned virtual, use the same mediums you would use in a real-life classroom. 

Turn up the fun by playing music or go to town with the drawing tool!

Don’t be afraid to try different things with your students until you find something that works for them.

6. Make your students feel valued

The truth is, the isolation experienced by students studying in online classrooms can be a huge factor in making them feel demotivated. 

They might think that no one will notice or care if they miss a class, or find it all too tempting to not log in to the classroom if they’re feeling tired.

The best way online teachers can help remedy this is by making their students feel valued in the classroom. 

7. Add self-assessment opportunities

Provide opportunities for self-assessment, allowing students to take more responsibility for their own learning. Grading their own discussion posts, or providing input for their own grade for course participation can be a motivating and sometimes humbling experience. A course-based ePortfolio or learning plan can be used to encourage students to build their own personal learning plans while identifying their preferences for multiple assessment methods.

8. Animated Teaching

Animations attract and capture attention because motion is one of the primary attributes of a graphic that makes students take notice. So, it allows students to respond to content in an interactive manner through the creation of a voice-over character, cartoon, or creative story-telling. Animations can also increase motivation because of their novelty. When they are humorous, they can create a positive effect. One newer approach is the animated information graphic which can be used for introductory explanations that may seem boring otherwise.

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