Learn how to make your online learning more attractive
There are many challenges students face when learning online, such as distractions when studying online, being out of the comfort zone, and less personal interaction between teachers and students. Online learning also requires students to be highly motivated and have strong time management skills. So how can you make learning more interactive? How can you create a pleasant and engaging learning environment? Here are 5 practical tips to engage students in online learning amidst the coronavirus blockade.
1. Give some ownership and control
Students will feel more motivated and engaged when I give them a sense of control and ownership. So give them the option to choose themes, units, and tasks. This will help them select relevant content quickly, learn about specific topics, or choose the delivery method they prefer. Let them select the order in which they want to learn some topics. This will empower and engage your students.
Self-assessments are another way to allow your students to choose how they learn. Allow them to skip lessons that they think are too basic. Or let them dive deeper into some lessons. Make these decisions based on your self-assessment results.
Plus, get student feedback on course content and learning experience. Then make changes to your lessons, don't wait until the end of the course to make these adjustments.
2. Interact with the students
Interact with your students while they learn. Recognize them in live classes or communicate with them in chat rooms. This will make your courses more interactive.
Another way to engage your students is to build strong relationships with them. Get to know them by making an effort to learn their unique personalities. Talk to them by name and tell them you care. Make online classmates know each other by letting them introduce themselves sharing their interests and hobbies.
Ask your students if they have questions about recent topics or upcoming tests, as it is one of the best ways to build strong relationships with students.
3. Encourage students to contribute
Invite your students to contribute their knowledge and learn from each other. Emphasize group projects or organize group study sessions online. Such homework-based learning will inspire students and help them with their studies. Allow students to create resources and review the work of others. This will strengthen their understanding and foster a culture of sharing.
Also, think about which students perform well in online settings and give them work on those skills and behaviors. Then use this to plan your tasks.
4. Mix content delivery methods
Use a combination of content delivery methods such as text, audio, video, and presentations. Have short video lessons of 10 minutes or less as they are easier to watch. Break long lecture recordings into small pieces. This will result in more video views and better retention and engagement. Your students will also watch videos at your convenience or you can download them for later viewing.
You can also add tests or exams at specific places within the videos to make them attractive. It is a great way to assess student learning and will help them retain what they have learned.
5. Promote accountability
Send automated emails to students who have not completed their assignments or have not logged in for a few days. Make study groups to create a sense of responsibility. Make regular reviews to receive feedback from your students.
Regular contact with students will help drive success in the lessons. A sense of responsibility will be created if students know that teachers are logging in, reviewing materials, and answering questions. This will get them to submit their assignments on time and they will get more involved in group discussions.
Final word
So there you have it. All the tips you need to make online learning attractive during coronavirus blockade. The effort you put in now will improve learning and teaching experiences. Students will get more of the lessons online and are more likely to come back to you for more education. Comment below if you have other tips or ideas.