A traditional school setting consists of teachers, their students, and their classrooms. Typically, classrooms play a significant role in the education experience by creating an environment that is designed to facilitate the learning experience. It goes without saying that when you remove the classroom setting and switch to virtual schooling, learning becomes a completely different experience!
While students all over have embraced virtual schooling and online course platforms for over a decade, most student’s first experience with virtual learning occurred at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Global school closures led to a quick switch to remote teaching methods, proving that most of us were not equipped or prepared for virtual schooling.
As you can imagine, students everywhere were impacted by this change, and the lack of face-to-face interactions left some students feeling disengaged. However, when done correctly, virtual learning has the power to be a more effective, practical, and meaningful experience for students all around the world.
Now, let’s talk about some ways to improve the virtual learning experience for students!
Five Engagement Strategies For Virtual Schooling
When done right, remote teaching can make learning from home an enjoyable and engaging experience. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or student looking to be more engaged, below are our five techniques and suggestions for engaging students who are participating in virtual schooling.
Design Tailored Online Lessons to Engage Learners
Designing engaging classes for students can be difficult behind a screen. In fact, many teachers continue to find themselves scratching their heads and wondering “How does online school work?” The answer: by engaging students in real-world activities that connect them to the world around them and reduce feelings of apathy towards school topics. Creating classes that confront real challenges and cover subjects that students can connect to will encourage students to feel more invested and motivated as they become involved in examining these challenges and providing solutions.
Our Novel online homeschool private tutoring is based on a tailored approach that fits the needs of the student, boosts confidence, gives results, and ultimately encourages them to enjoy whatever it is they want to learn. No matter the subject, whether it be course specific like requiring an online math tutor or online homework help, our team will create a plan that best suits your student. The following are a few ways we can assist with online learning:
- Academic and time management assistance
- Monitoring the teachers and the school’s communications
- Organizational and executive functioning advice
- Assistance in dealing with learning differences
- Hourly-based tutoring fees
Host Interactive Class Discussions
Hosting interactive class discussions is another method for engaging students in remote teaching lessons. Students are encouraged to share their thoughts, get new perspectives, ask questions, and learn new things. Modern technology has given us a new means to interact with one another. It is also a wonderful opportunity for learning.
To keep everyone interested in a discussion, the teacher can ask questions using the built-in chat tools. This is an excellent way for everyone to express themselves. Remember to acknowledge individual student efforts by responding to comments or reacting with emojis.
Offering polls is yet another innovative way to engage online learners. Create interactive polls to guarantee that everyone takes part. This helps kids feel that they are a part of the discourse and that their opinions are valued.
Break-out rooms are another tool teachers can use to encourage collaboration amongst students, something that might feel lost in virtual classrooms. Teachers can pair students up by sending them into separate breakout rooms for a set timed period before bringing them back to the classroom to share their ideas.
Create Animated Slideshows
Your body language may be enough to maintain students’ attention when using Google Slides or PowerPoint in the classroom. However, when you upload a slideshow online, your face may be completely hidden or constrained to a little box on their screen, which makes it more difficult to maintain kids’ focus. Animated slides can keep your students more engaged and entertained.
Make Remote Teaching Fun
Successful educators usually include some form of entertainment in their instruction, but the requirement is much higher now, as we compete with a variety of other distractions in a remote environment. Many parents ask “How does online school work?” The answer: by translating some of the effective tactics employed in in-person lessons into the online space. Make fun and enjoyable presentations, such as virtual costume week, digital creative-character week, or even educational TikTok contests.
Use music to keep students interested and motivated. You may increase students’ morale and get families engaged by starting each day with a catchy song that conveys a positive message. There are so many fun YouTube videos with fun songs that are educational like The Pi Song for learning the digits of π!
Engage Parents in Virtual Learning
It goes without question that instructors rely on parents to keep young students engaged in their education. Make sure you have a smooth communication process in order to develop a solid relationship with the parents. You may schedule monthly video conference sessions with the parents to discuss news, updates, and new advancements. It may also help inform them of any future events or tests, as well as ensuring complete transparency regarding any problems.
One of the most crucial aspects of clear communication with parents is the use of an online mobile-friendly application to provide all resources and information. Many online course platforms include integrated communication tools that include shared drives, chats, and other useful tools.
Teaching students online has its advantages as well. It is now much easier to enlist the entire family in some activities. Engaging parents online is considerably simpler because they may be present during lessons if required.
Additionally, you might provide parents with tools, such as informational training on topics like social-emotional learning, so they can foster at-home learning as an extension of their child’s school day.
Entrust Novel Education to Engage Your Children in Online Homeschool Learning!
Start the learning process with Novel Education Group. The reason parents start homeschooling with Novel Education Group is we give your child the freedom to explore their interests at the proper age that’s appropriate for your child’s education. We work with many students that require our specific homeschooling services such as traveling families, special needs, all kids K-12, private tutoring, and test preparation!
Book a FREE consultation with us and we’ll discuss the benefits of Novel Education Group’s home-education program for your child’s education. Students may enroll in full-time homeschool programs, learn remotely with their current school, or private school, and complete one-on-one enrichment programs with our team of academic advisors!
