How To Increase Student Engagement in Virtual Classes

Keeping your students engaged has been a tough challenge to tackle in a physical classroom. Enter a virtual learning setup, and it becomes more important to make sure every child actively participates. But why is student engagement important? And what are the strategies to increase student engagement in a virtual learning setup?

Importance of Student Engagement in Online Learning

Student engagement has been a hot topic every academic year. Each year, a new batch of students comes into your class, and every year, the batch of students is different. They are all different in terms of their understanding levels, and keeping them engaged in your class is extremely important. But why is student engagement so important, especially in virtual classes?

Below are some reasons why increasing student engagement is vital during online learning:

Increase Participation During Online Classes: During virtual classes, students have to log into their computers or digital screens to attend classes. They reluctantly do so simply because they need to attend classes. This unwillingness leads to disengaged students. They won’t take an interest in learning the subject but merely just do so to simply mark their attendance. Hence, it’s important to increase student engagement to make them actively participate in the curriculum.

Avoid Distraction: When attending virtual classes, students are expected to be on their digital devices, as opposed to traditional learning. While being on their devices is necessary to attend their classes virtually, students often find themselves getting distracted by their digital devices and scrolling social media. A teacher is unable to monitor students virtually if they keep their video screens off. This can further encourage students to get distracted. Student engagement is important for virtual learning to avoid unnecessary distractions.

5 Best Strategies to Increase Student Engagement

Now that you know the importance of student engagement during virtual classes, here are some of the best five strategies to increase it among your students while online learning:

1. Add Multimedia

Incorporating multimedia elements into your teaching strategy can significantly enhance the learning experience by addressing the varied learning styles of students. Use engaging video lectures, craft informative presentations, and design visual diagrams and interactive simulations to simplify complex topics. Videos provide a lively and captivating means of presenting information, making it more engaging and easier to grasp. By diversifying how you deliver content, you can meet the visual, auditory, and kinesthetic needs of your students, thereby improving their comprehension and retention of the material.

2. Gamify the Learning Process

Including fun games in the learning process during virtual classes encourages students to take part in the discussion going on during the class. It enhances their active participation and keeps them from getting distracted during virtual classes. Include game-like aspects such as badges, points, or leaderboards for progress and achievements, and watch the engagement soar.

And why does gamification work in the learning process?

Gamifying the learning process creates a sense of accomplishment in kids, which increases their participation. They are motivated to achieve better, making their virtual learning more fun, engaging, and impactful.

3. Diversify Assessment Methods

Utilizing a range of assessment formats caters to the diverse strengths of students and offers a more comprehensive evaluation. Combine traditional quizzes with open discussions, group projects, and hands-on assignments. This method supports various learning styles, enabling students to demonstrate their understanding through different channels. A varied assessment strategy also encourages critical thinking and the practical application of knowledge, fostering a deeper connection with the course material.

4. Use Chat Features

Discussions in classrooms spark active participation among students. Therefore, to continue enhancing student engagement even in a virtual classroom setup, you need to set up virtual spaces where students can discuss their doubts, ask questions, share insights, and exchange perspectives with each other to promote a collaborative experience. Online discussions sustain continuous interaction, building a sense of community and collective learning experiences. Use real-time chat features to enable instant communication, letting students connect with peers and instructors for a vibrant exchange of ideas.

5. Provide Constructive Feedback

Timely and constructive feedback is essential for keeping students engaged. Regularly evaluate and provide feedback on assignments, quizzes, and discussions, highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement. Personalized feedback guides students in their learning journey and shows the instructor’s dedication to their success. Creating feedback loops fosters a continuous learning process, motivating students to participate and actively refine their understanding based on valuable input.

Bottom Line

Enhancing student engagement, especially in a virtual learning setup, is a challenging aspect of teaching. You need to take care of several things while also making sure every student is grasping the concepts and not just cramming them up. With proper practice, you can take advantage of technology and create a positive learning environment where every student thrives!

Author Bio: Aanya Kapoor, is a content marketer with Extramarks. Along with her team, she develops content relevant to the 21st-century education ecosystems. Her content revolves around topics such as smart learning technology in education, modern parenting, as well as other education topics. Her writing combines her knowledge and personal interests, making her a valuable resource for those seeking insights into education and parenting. Beyond her professional expertise, she's an avid reader, a globe-trotter who explores diverse cultures, and a passionate gardener.