Engaging Learners | Origin: EL102
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Online Teaching Techniques --> Engaging Learners
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
Comment on Shahid Hussain's post: Nicely stated.
I have learned online teaching is that student engagement requires intentional interaction , structure, and creativity. I plan to increase student participation and create a more meaningful and interactive online learning experience.
It's important to use other methods like meaningful replies and video messages to actively engage the students without meeting with them face to face.
Such a different format of not only teaching, but student interaction and feedback given by the instructor for online courses. Such good information to consider.
Engaging learners online begins with recognizing that students have diverse learning styles, schedules, and levels of comfort with technology. Because of this, incorporating asynchronous discussions is often more effective than relying solely on synchronous sessions. Asynchronous discussions give students time to think, reflect, and contribute meaningfully at their own pace. Something that is especially important for learners who need more processing time or live in different time zones.
Synchronous discussions, while valuable, come with limitations such as scheduling conflicts, rapid chat movement, difficulty analyzing or summarizing conversations, and the dominance of students who type quickly. By offering asynchronous opportunities, all students have an equal chance to participate, express their ideas thoughtfully, and stay engaged. This combination supports deeper learning, reduces barriers, and creates a more inclusive online environment.
That is important to have synchronous Conversations with single student students before clarification
I learned that you should limit synchronous learning to one student at a time depending on need for further explanation and clarification
Encouraging learner participation is critical to everyone's success. It let's you know that students are actually retaining the information they are learning. It also lets you know that they are paying attention. Giving timely constructive feedback to participation helps learners' confidence.
Use asynchronous discussions for important, key, concepts because of the different schedules and time zones of the students. Synchronous discussions, chats, should be limited to an individual or small work group within the class.
In the classroom you have nonverbal communication but online you don't. you have only the written word unless posting a video, even then there are subtleties that may not be transferred to the audience. Read and reread posts before you click send.
Asynchronous more powerful tool for learning; encourages thoughtful, deliberative, thinking with enriched context provided.
Establish netiquette guidelines, role model appropriate online behavior, use asynchronous and synchronous as needed with individual learner
Important to differentiate synchronic and asynchronic
I’ve learned that timely, positive feedback and active encouragement boost student confidence and participation. I’ll respond consistently to contributions and use simple cues like emojis to add warmth and connection. This helps students feel seen, supported, and motivated to engage.
Student participation and my constructive criticism helps increase class engagement when encouraged.when given constructive criticism in a positive and timely manner it creates confidence and let the students know that their performance matters and I care that they achieve the course material.
Encouraging learner participation helps increase the class's success rate. When done in a timely fashion, it helps the instructor identify issues learners may be having that can be clarified before the end of the course, ultimately improving the likelihood of a better grade. Feedback and participation are symbiotic. Giving timely constructive feedback to participation fosters learners' confidence, lets them know they are heard, and encourages additional participation.
Emojis and thumbs up can help address the lack of nonverbal communication in online classes. Feedback should be given consistently and in a timely manner.
Be aware that learners are not able to see nonverbal communication in asynchronous learning so need to use smiley faces and colors and bolded texts to convey a written message.
Synchronous discussions isn't as easy in large groups.
Asynchronous discussions are possible in an online environment. Synchronous discussions are difficult among large groups and are more effective with one-on-one.
