Keeping students engaged in classes has always been vital to ensure their performance in any course. This has become a challenge in recent times with the sudden transition to digital. While students can now attend classes at the comfort of their homes, their engagement in classes often takes a back seat. However, online classroom management can be effective with the right approach.
Here are a few tips to improve student engagement in online classes.
1. Create Learning Circles
Since remote learning implies very low interaction with the community, the students may lose the human connection that a physical class can offer. This can cause them to feel isolated and unmotivated. A good way to ensure interaction among the students is to form learning circles. The students can be divided into different groups. These groups can collaborate for projects, group discussions and brainstorming activities in class.
2. Take Brain Breaks
While brain breaks are necessary for any long class, it is of even more importance in online classes. Virtual fatigue or Zoom fatigue can cause reduced attention and involvement in classes. Brain breaks can be implemented by giving a short break to students in between classes. The students can engage in a casual conversation with the teachers and peers, fun games or just a few minutes of meditation before getting back to class.
3. Comprehensive Lesson Plans
Pre-planning every class can help carry out a well-structured class. This will help state clear expectations with the students. Planning out the entire curriculum is also a highly effective practice as this can help avoid rushing through the syllabus at the last minute. These best practices can ensure that the students remain engaged throughout the class and the course as well. While planning out the entire curriculum can be tedious for the instructor, there are digital classroom solutions that can be used to simplify the process.
4. Measure progress
It is always a good idea to pause and check progress before rushing to complete the curriculum. Engaging the students in short quizzes and tests can help the instructor understand how effective the classes have been. This can also be an incentive for the students to pay more attention to classes and refresh their memory at regular intervals. There are several classroom management solutions available online that can help track progress and help schedule timely assessments.
5. Give and take Feedback
Feedback is a two way street and can be equally beneficial for both the students and the instructors. Taking regular feedback from the students can help the instructor understand what changes can be adopted to make classes more engaging for the students. This will also make the students feel valued and give them space to express their problems. Giving regular feedback to the students can be instrumental for their improved performance. This can also help build a human connection in the absence of a physical classroom.
The online shift has been equally difficult for teachers as it has been for the students, but a few small changes can go a long way. Digival Solutions offers a one-stop solution that can help teachers structure the curriculum, schedule assessments and track progress. Digital classroom solutions can be a trusted helping hand to cope with the changing times.
