Creating robust student engagement for online classes requires faculty to be responsive and personally involved through video calls, phone calls, and engaging with students in discussion posts. It is important for faculty to provide timely feedback and connect course material to current real-world topics to increase student interest and learning outcomes. Faculty can use tools like Screencast-o-Matic to create short videos and engage students through multiple modalities in online environments. Maintaining an ongoing dialogue through discussion boards and media is critical to keeping students engaged.
2. Creating
robust student
engagement
for online
classes
Top Comments
Faculty Responsiveness
Faculty PersonalizingThemselves via Skype,Video cast and Phone
calls
Creating discussions that center on current/real-world topics
3. Creating
robust student
engagement
for online
classes
Feedback is key! I appreciated when my professors
would challenge my perspective in the posts. I also
enjoyed my online courses more when their was real
world issues and current topics entwined into the
modules so that it was more applicable. I found that
those courses that did so had a more profound affect
upon my learning outcomes.
Aimee Galban, National Louis University
4. Creating
robust student
engagement
for online
classes
I'm currently taking an online class where the instructor offered to
connect by phone during the first week .The phone conversation
made me feel a personal connection and as a result , I am more
engaged in the course.When the professor is involved daily in the
discussion posts, it also increases my interest .
Mary Hawkins, Chamberlain College of Nursig
5. Creating
robust student
engagement
for online
classes
I am more of a spectator to online classes, as my husband, and
instructional designer, has been involved in developing and
teaching them for over 25 years now. He is teaching this fall for
Northwestern University. Besides the points Mary notes above (be
engaged in online discussions, be present in person via phone or
Skype when possible0, he and his co-instructor post recordings or
video messages as well.They also conduct occasional live-sync
sessions.As a student in the past, I found that when instructors
made posting an assignment and part of the grade (along with in-
class discussion), I got out of my introvert shell and dove in.
Teresa Hubley,
6. Creating
robust student
engagement
for online
classes
Frequent contact and availability/responsiveness. I start out with
a video about me that's part intro, part fun info and short! They
then make theirs -- it opens up a discussion about shared
expectations, etc. I also respond as quickly as is practicable to
student questions. Oh! And give timely, helpful feedback!!!
Mary Jude, Mill Creek Consultants
7. Creating
robust student
engagement
for online
classes
I have been using Screencast-o-matic to record videos and post
them for my students on Blackboard. Screencast-o-matic is a
quick recording tool used to create videos as short tutorials, visual
presentations, PowerPoint, or to communicate with students.
There is an option to use it as free or Pro-version (with additional
functionalities).Videos are easy to make and make online
environment more vivid and vibrant.
https://screencast-o-matic.com/
Ewa Lazowska,Governor’s State University
8. Creating
robust student
engagement
for online
classes
Keeping an ongoing dialogue with students is critical in keeping
students engaged in online classes. I enjoyed when my instructors
posted current articles and other media that connected the real
world to the subject matter being covered in class.
Monica (Monica Elam) Montgomery, MSHRMD, University of
Illinois Foundation
9. Creating
robust student
engagement
for online
classes
I have found success when my professors make themselves
available online. Posting responses and engaging students makes
me eager to log on and participate.
Sarena Griffin, National Louis University
10. Creating
robust student
engagement
for online
classes
Having taught fully online for five years and having been a student
- both undergrad (I took some community college classes) and
grad (earned my Ed.D. in a blended program and am working on a
TESOL MA in fully online program) I think faculty participation in
discussion thread is the MOST important.To me, the discussion
thread is really the only chance to use formative assessment. I've
taken classes where the instructor is not in the discussionAT ALL.
As a student I assumed the instructor was watching but didn't
know for sure. It felt like a dog and pony show.As a teacher I
always responded to at least a student's initial post even if I was
teaching five classes. I could tell if they were going off in a wrong
direction and could correct it in the discussion before we got to
the summarize assessment (paper or test).
Phil Black, Ed.D, RPPR, LLC
12. Creating
robust student
engagement
for online
classes
he course must be carefully designed to build a vibrant learning
community with lots of participation. It doesn't just "happen"
Angla Elkordy, National Louis University
