10 Easy Ways to Achieve Student Engagement in Distance Learning

Institutions around the world have adapted to offer their courses online since the pandemic began, especially the higher education courses. Institutions, along with the students, have embraced the benefits of distance learning and worked through the challenges with a hope that they would experience the normality of in-person offerings soon. While some parts of the world have started to open face-to-face courses, many higher education institutions are still facing an increased pressure to offer more online or, at the least, hybrid courses. Therefore, it’s likely that instructors will be expected to continue with online teaching for a few more years to come.

It is important to understand the various influencing factors involved in distance learning to make it a successful experience for teachers and students. Student engagement plays a crucial role and so it’s vital to understand how this can be achieved consistently even with distance learning.

Best practices in education industry are evolving along with trends and technologies. Here are 10 unique ideas that can help you in engaging your students in distance learning.

1. Make Your Course Accessible

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. Accessibility not only fosters independence amongst the students but also enhances productivity, retention, and achievement.

2. Give Timely Feedback

Providing feedback is a well-recognized method to keep students engaged. It also enables them to improvise as they progress through a course. Timing of that feedback is another key competent in this approach. 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. It’s important to ensure that your feedback – including grades and comments – are distributed as soon as possible, after the assignment submission deadline.

3. Use Active Learning

Distance learning doesn’t mean that students should sit in front of the computer. Learning technology is diverse and extremely portable, leading to many opportunities to engage with class materials in new and more creative ways. Students can be better engaged through interactive class assignments and activities such as interviewing community leaders, using multimedia to create a project, or examining real-world impacts of a concept or theme. Public health guidelines should also be considered and not compromised. But it’s crucial to understand how much students can do outside the digital classroom and without leaving the house.

4. Care About Learning

Instructors are one of the key influencers in a student’s life. They not only inspire students but also set the tone for the learning environment. By attending each class with a positive, engaged attitude, you’ll be modelling 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

Building your class on the foundation of participation is a great way to encourage student engagement. One good way is to gamify your class content. 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. Once the students understand that they have control over their individual learning journey, they’re more likely to engage and that too, more frequently. Students always appreciate the fact that you are devoted to their success and that draws them to you for further support when they are in need.  

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

It’s imperative to master the digital tools that you use in your teaching. 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. You can maintain students’ interest and avoid awkward ‘in between’ moments through quick and smooth transitions in your live classes.

You can successfully engage students in distance learning by keeping students and their needs at the centre of your planning and delivery process. Better learning starts and ends with the student experience.