ONLINE LEARNING, a new norm in the educational sector. Virtual classes, online classrooms, and digital learning are the new normal for millions of students across the world as schools integrate the traditional physical classroom learning with that of the online space.
While the online space offers the students numerous benefits such as new tools of learning, the flexibility to learn, and new collaborative learning experiences, the transition can be challenging for both the teachers and the students. On one hand, the teachers need to make extra effort and find new ways to engage students effectively to achieve expected results. On the other hand, students need to put in extra effort to stay engaged, especially because of the distractions and interruptions at home. Delivering exciting and engaging online learning experiences is vital to the success of the student because when students are actively engaged in the learning process, they learn better, understand the content more deeply, assimilate and are able to retain the material for a longer time. But that is easier said than done.
Teachers tend to discover that it is not easy to engage students in an online classroom using the same engagement techniques used in a traditional classroom. In an online learning experience, the teachers have to deal with newer and often more challenging issues from screen fatigue and internet disruptions or interruptions to simply bored, uninterested and isolated students.
Let’s look at a few tips that could help you create exciting and engaging online learning experiences for your students:
- Clear Learning Objectives: Start by defining clear learning objectives for each lesson or module. Students should know what they are expected to learn and achieve. Often, teachers navigate the online setting the way they taught in a face-to-face setting. This means that they use similar instructional strategies. However, for most students, the online classroom is a new experience. It is therefore important for the teachers to set up classroom expectations from the beginning. This can include guidelines on online behaviour, camera and mic etiquette and asking questions.
- **Interactive Content: **Use a variety of multimedia content, such as videos, animations, simulations, and interactive quizzes, to make the learning experience more dynamic and appealing.
- Engaging Visual Design: Create visually appealing and organized subject materials with a user-friendly layout. Use images, icons, and color schemes that align with the subject matter.
- Regular Feedback: Provide timely and constructive feedback on assignments and assessments. Feedback helps students understand their progress and areas for improvement.
- **Storytelling: **Use storytelling techniques to convey complex concepts or historical context. Stories can make the content more relatable and memorable.
- Regular Assessments: Include formative assessments like quizzes and polls to gauge understanding and provide opportunities for students to self-assess.
- Availability: Maintain an active online presence as an instructor. Engage with students through discussion forums, provide clarifications, and offer support when needed.
- **Accessible Content: **Ensure that all subject materials are accessible to all students by following accessibility guidelines and providing alternative formats when necessary.
- Continuous Improvement: Collect feedback from students throughout the course and use it to make adjustments and improvements.
In conclusion, remember that every learner is unique, so it's essential to be flexible and willing to adapt your approach based on the needs and preferences of your students. Regularly assessing engagement and seeking feedback from students can help you refine your online teaching strategies and create a more engaging learning experience. The transition from a face-to-face classroom to an online video conference is challenging for the students and especially the teachers who must make extra effort to engage students. This calls for the use of new teaching tools and techniques that will appeal to the students using screens to learn in isolation. While this is challenging, with the right teaching tools, it can also help the students stay motivated and learn better faster and retain the information for longer.
