10 Easy Ways to Engage Students in Distance Learning
For about a year, majority of higher education courses have been offered online. Institutions, now learning both the benefits and how to work through the challenges of distance learning, are unlikely to transition back to the routine in-person offerings. Rather than a majority of face-to-face courses, higher education institutions are facing pressure to offer more online or, at the least, more hybrid courses.
Instructors are therefore likely to continue to teach online in some capacity for years to come. Understanding how best to engage students in distance learning is important for teaching and learning success – and it takes regular effort. As trends and educational technologies evolve, so too will best practices. Here are 10 ways to engage students in distance learning that every instructor should know and practice now.
1. Make Your Course Accessible
Accessibility isn’t just about delivery. Designing an accessible course is the first step towards engaging all students. When planning a course, consider what activities will be challenging for those with varying needs and eliminate barriers from the start.
2. Give Timely Feedback
Providing feedback is a well-known tactic to keep students engaged and improving throughout a course. A key qualifier, though, is the timing of that feedback. If students receive marks and comments weeks after they’ve submitted an assignment, chances are, they’ll spend less time reviewing the notes and reflecting on how to improve for the next assignment. Be sure your feedback – including grades and comments – are distributed as soon as possible after the assignment deadline.
3. Use Active Learning
Distance learning doesn’t have to equate sitting at a computer. Learning technology is diverse and extremely portable, raising many opportunities to engage with class materials in new, more creative ways. Use assignments and class activities to get students interviewing community leaders, using multimedia to create an assignment, or observing real-world impacts of a concept or theme. Of course, public health guidelines should be prioritized. But you may be surprised how much students can do outside the digital classroom and without leaving the house.
4. Care About Learning
Instructors can be hugely influential on students. They inspire students and they set the tone for the learning environment. By attending each class with a positive, engaged attitude, you’ll be modeling the behaviour you want to see in your students. Coupled with clear direction on expectations, your enthusiasm will encourage students to do the same.
So how do you bring an engaged attitude to the online classroom? By creating an environment of exploration. Let questions – from you and from your students – define the learning space. Rather than building your classes on a lecture, root them in prompts, and encourage students to ask questions and respectfully challenge your and their peers’ assertions. If students understand your classes rely on their participation, they’ll be much more likely to participate.
5. Gamify
Gamifying your class content is a great way to build your class on the foundation of participation. Use badges for correct answers, incorporate group activities into modules, and use trivia at the end of lectures to get every student engaged in distance learning.
6. Empower Students
While you are the leader of your course’s learning community, every student is a leader of their personal learning journey. So, empower them! Emphasize individual leadership, encourage students to help each other and respond to discussion board posts, and promote students’ accountability. When students understand that you are devoted to their success, but they need to lead that process, they’re likely to engage more frequently with the course content and draw on you for support when they need it.
7. Think About the Whole Picture
Your course is important, but it isn’t the only priority in students’ lives. Increasingly, students juggle many competing responsibilities. When managing distance learning, you’ll be much more successful if you take the time to understand your students. Ask what each student’s experience is with the subject, what they are looking to get out of the course, and what their remote learning environment looks like. Then honestly consider that information and, wherever possible, accommodate for it. For example, if you have many students juggling childcare, perhaps you can adjust your lectures to be short segments that are recorded for those who may have to attend to a child’s sudden need.
8. Check for Understanding
There’s nothing worse than being confused and afraid to ask for clarification. Yet, many students don’t feel comfortable speaking up. So don’t wait for the questions. Build frequent knowledge checks into your classes. Try a poll on Zoom, a quick discussion board question, or a quick roundtable if the class is small enough.
9. Check in with Students One-on-One
Distance learning can sometimes feel impersonal. Break down any potential feelings of isolation by talking with students one-on-one. Whether that’s sending an email asking how they are managing or scheduling a 15-minute virtual coffee chat – find a way to connect with each of your students at key points throughout the semester. Checking in with learners individually is one of the most effective ways to engage students.
10. Test your Tools
Finally, mastering the digital tools you teach with is essential. It isn’t surprising to know that testing your video platform, LMS features, and other teaching tools ahead of time is crucial to retaining students’ attention spans. With quick and smooth transitions in your live classes, you won’t lose students’ interest because of awkward ‘in between’ moments.
Better learning starts and ends with the student experience. By tailoring your planning and delivery so it centres students and their needs, you’ll be successful in engaging students in distance learning.