How to Improve Your Online Class to Increase Student Engagement

Ensuring student engagement in the classroom is not an easy task, and the problem is even greater when it comes to online classes. In the home environment, the student is subject to several distractions, such as the use of the cell phone, which cannot be controlled during distance activities. To guarantee the participation of students in classes and, thus, promote better quality teaching, the teacher must be attentive to the elaboration of his classes, making them more attractive, in addition to promoting moments of greater interaction. To help with this task, we have put together some tips.

Tips for Improving Student Participation During Online Classes

Prepare Your Class Carefully

It is essential that online classes are very well prepared, as well as face-to-face classes. In live classes, the teacher must be aware of the time, so that it is possible to present the content and also give space for students to ask their questions. As indiscipline in the virtual environment is generally less, content tends to be passed on more quickly. Therefore, prepare well to avoid improvisation and think of ways to draw the student’s attention to the content.

Be Creative

Many people think that online classes do not allow the teacher to be creative. However, this is a great untruth, since different resources can be used. Videos, animations, simulators, and virtual games are some of the resources that can be adopted and that favor interactivity with the student.

Contextualize the Content Taught

One way to achieve student participation is to relate the content taught to everyday matters. This approximation with the student’s reality makes him better understand the applicability of that content in his daily life. This arouses interest and also favors interaction with students. It is important, however, that the teacher gives space for the student to also share his experiences and opinions on the topic in question.

Question Students About the Content Taught

In live classes, it is important that the teacher asks students about the content being taught. Ask if there are doubts up to that point, if they have understood properly what was passed on and if they wish to comment on some of the topics covered. It is important that online classes are not treated as mere exposure to content and that the teacher is present and open to communication.

Encourage Student Participation

Make students feel really comfortable participating in the class. Leave moments open for questions and surveys about points they find interesting. In recorded classes, this is also possible, and it is the teacher’s role to provide channels where students can get in touch to answer questions and make comments about the classes.

Praise Whenever Possible

Praise your students whenever possible. Imagine, for example, that the student made his participation, but, unfortunately, did not completely get his comment right. Show the points where the student made a mistake, but also reinforce the correct points. Never belittle a student’s response or make disparaging comments. Everyone is in a learning moment, and negative messages can discourage the student. We must also not forget that frustration and fear of being repressed by the teacher affect learning in an extremely negative way. So, be polite and friendly, as well as recognize each other’s efforts.