Engagement of the Online Learner
Hi All!
I have noticed that throughout my years of teaching in the online environment, students have changed. This is due to the fact that today's online student is more technologically advanced. I still find that in most cases, that students become less engaged as the course progresses.
What techniques do you suggest to keep online students engaged throughout the duration of the course?
Thomas,
I agree 100% that students need to be engaged in their learning and the fresh perspective and enthusiasm build motivation in the students to take the course and continue through the course content. Thank you for the strategies you listed, I am sure they will benefit many people in this forum.
Herbert Brown III
Keeping online students engaged throughout the duration of the course is one of the most essential components of online instruction, but there are a number of factors that can relate to this issue.
First, many courses begin with a fresh perspective and enthusiasm. It is the faculty member's role to maintain an atmosphere of excitement and enthusiasm. One way to create this is to include additional resources that are engaging and interesting that might include multimedia presentations.
Another suggestion is to allow students the ability to find resources and to share them in discussions or to post them to places on the website provided they relate to the content of the course's learning objectives.
As online discussions occur, it is imperative for a faculty member to let students know in the first week of class that adult learners learn from each other and that it is essential that students respond to each other. In this way, students are not just waiting for a teach to engage in the learning process. In fact, in a physical classroom, something I will do to engage learners is to make sure that after a student has spoken is to ask another student to respond or comment about what he or she just heard from the other student. Giving students opportunities to respond to each others comments creates an environment of collaborative learning, where the student takes ownership of their learning and this create a sense of greater motivation and interest.
There are a number of best practices to keep a course interesting so it does not lose its momentum, but another way of doing this is to compliment students as a whole for their diligent efforts and to acknowledge that their accomplishments are noticed and appreciated.
The tone of a faculty member in a course needs to be uplifting and positive at all times. Since students face so many personal challenges, a positive and supportive tone from the first day of the class through the last day is essential to keeping students engaged. Also, sending reminders each week lets students know that a faculty member cares and is engaged in the course. When students recognize a faculty member is engaged, that equates to commitment. Students will be more engaged and motivated if the faculty member is a champion of commitment to excellence.
Jacinda,
One thing I plan to try is to continue to give small assignments that are stimulating and engaging throughout the course. I usually give larger projects at the end, and I lose them as they work on those big final projects.
Herbert Brown III
