Staying updated with the latest technology, adapting different learning styles, involving parents, and burnout! Teaching can be quite an overwhelming career. However, out of all of these, keeping the students engaged is perhaps the most challenging task for a teacher. Where technological advancements, like online learning, have made everything much easier, they have also created a new problem of shorter attention spans.
Generally, students, especially at the university level, only pay attention to a lesson for 10 to 15 minutes. So, how do you combat this short attention span of students? Modern problems call for modern solutions! Since traditional teaching methods are unsuitable for an online class, let’s explore several innovative strategies to grab and retain your students’ attention.
How to Engage Students in Online Learning?
Teaching has gone beyond the four walls of a classroom in the past five years due to innovative solutions. One of the top trends in ed-tech (educational technology) is online or e-learning. But you would be surprised to learn that it is not a new concept.
The idea of online learning was first introduced by the University of Illinois in the 1960s. Since the internet had not yet been invented, the University gave instructions to the students via interlinked computer terminals. E-learning opportunities further grew with the rise of the internet. Today, people can access quality education from any part of the world. But where this educational trend has made things easier for students, it has increased the work of the teachers.
Low student engagement is a significant challenge for teachers conducting an online class. If you are struggling with the same problem, here is what you can do to keep your students focused during online lectures.
Prepare Engaging Online Lessons
Facts and instructions are necessary for students, but too much information can overwhelm them. A study suggests that boring lectures are ineffective! Did you know that undergrad students in traditional classes are 1.5 times more likely to fail than individuals who learn through more stimulating methods?
The key to engaging students in online learning is to create interesting lectures. It doesn’t mean you have to dance or sing, but instead, dividing your lessons into bite-sized chunks and employing more active teaching techniques so your students can retain information. In short, prepare your lesson in a way that is easy to digest, include real-life examples, and use various sources.
Include Media Content
Try different teaching styles! Diverse learning material can also increase student engagement in online learning. For example, media content like audio and videos can help you grab your students’ attention. Research suggests that short videos help improve student engagement by 24.7% and their final exam score by 9%.
Hence, in addition to text-heavy materials, like handouts, books, and research articles, include educational videos, interviews, and presentations in your lessons to make your online class more interesting. The inclusion of media content will not only create an active learning environment but will also help you accommodate visual and auditory learners.
The best part is that you don’t have to put much effort into finding these videos, as there is so much free material on YouTube and other platforms.
Use Live Captions in Your Lectures
Captions not only aid deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals but also improve the comprehension and focus of students. Several top media agencies and universities agree on the importance of live captions.
According to a report by The University of South Florida St. Petersburg (USFSP), 42% of students rely on closed captions to retain information. Hence, use live captions to engage students in online learning, make your lessons more accessible, and address the diverse needs of all students, including non-native individuals.
Utilize Various Online Learning Tools
Educational tools can also improve student engagement in online learning. These tools not only help you make your lessons more interactive but also offer incredible resources to promote active learning among students. A learning management system (LMS) is the most effective solution for creating a collaborative environment as it includes features like online chat, discussion forums, and more.
With a reliable LMS, you can create and manage your lessons, classes, and quizzes and provide accessible learning materials, like presentations and research papers, to your students. This software also helps you streamline administrative tasks, like attendance tracking, grading, and assignment submissions, so you can focus on other things.
Conduct Interactive Assessments Frequently
Another key challenge for teachers conducting online classes is assessing the student’s level of learning. Interactive assessments are the perfect solution for that! In addition to analyzing whether the students have processed the online lectures, these tests help you identify the areas of improvement, allowing you to provide much-needed support.
Interactive assessments keep your students awake in class and improve their participation. You can create these tests in any form, including quizzes and games. Help students retain important information and create an active learning environment by challenging them.
Challenge Students with Group Projects
Long-term distance learning can take a toll on your students’ mental health. Unlike traditional classrooms, where they have daily interactions with their peers, online classes are rather isolating, leading to low engagement, anxiety, and stress.
You can reduce this feeling of isolation and improve student engagement in online learning through group projects. Group activities create a more engaging and collaborative environment, allowing students to improve their social skills and teamwork.
Group projects also improve students’ understanding and help them develop leadership skills. The best way to go around this is to create various tasks and roles, giving students the freedom to choose their positions. Encourage pupils to meet online and ensure equal participation.
Provide Regular Feedback
Feedback is crucial in an online environment. Students need to learn to give and receive feedback. Regular feedback can help you improve student participation, allowing them to gain the confidence to speak up in class. By making them feel like you care for their development, you can encourage your pupils to communicate their problems.
Offer Face-to-Face Sessions
Online learning also limits student-teacher interactions, making it difficult for students to seek advice and guidance. It is also challenging for teachers to offer one-on-one counseling to every student in an online class. You can combat this by setting up a virtual office.
Simply, dedicate one hour of your day, ideally at the beginning or end of your classes, to virtually meet your students. You can do this through video calls or even instant messages and sort out your students’ problems. These online sessions will help you create a personal connection with your students, giving them the motivation they need to engage in your classes.
Conclusion
With constant changes in the educational landscape, teaching is no longer an easy career. It requires continuous learning and adapting to newer developments, such as technology or evolving trends like online learning. Many teachers struggle with inattentive students in an online setting.
You can deal with this issue by following our top 8 strategies for engaging students in online learning. Embrace the innovative technologies and create a personal connection with your students!
