How do you engage your students in an online classroom?

Student engagement refers to the level of involvement and enthusiasm that students have in their learning experiences. It encompasses both cognitive and affective aspects, including students’ motivation, interest, and investment in their learning as well as their ability to actively participate in and contribute to class discussions and activities. High levels of student engagement are considered important for academic success as well as for promoting positive attitudes toward learning.

There are different ways to measure student engagement such as observations, self-report measures, and physiological measures. Engagement can be observed during instruction, such as through the use of Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATs) like the “minute paper” or “muddiest point,” or through other methods like tracking student attendance or participation (Vanderbilt University, n.d).

Research suggests that factors that contribute to student engagement include having a sense of belonging and connection to the school, a positive relationship with teachers and peers, opportunities for autonomy and choice, and relevance of instruction to students’ lives and interests (Gillen-O’Neel, 2021).

Education experts agree that active engagement of students in the learning process leads to better retention of knowledge, and more effective learning. Engaged students are more likely to complete their education, achieve better grades and test scores, and be more prepared for college, work and life in general.

Here are some strategies that are often used by educators to promote student engagement in the classroom:

1. 1. Make instruction relevant to students’ lives: Students are more likely to be engaged when they can see the relevance of what they are learning to their own lives and interests.
   2. Encourage active participation: Students are more likely to be engaged when they are actively participating in the learning process. This can include using collaborative learning activities, classroom discussions, and hands-on projects.
   3. Provide choice and autonomy: When students are given opportunities to make choices and exercise autonomy in their learning, they are more likely to take ownership of their education and be more engaged.
   4. Build positive relationships: Positive relationships between teachers and students, as well as among students, create a supportive and encouraging classroom environment, promoting a sense of belonging and fostering engagement.
   5. Provide clear and consistent feedback: Feedback can motivate students to work harder and improve their performance, this also should be specific, timely, and non-judgmental
   6. Use technology effectively: Technology can be used to promote student engagement in a variety of ways, such as providing interactive learning experiences and offering students the opportunity to work on multimedia projects.
   7. Differentiate instruction: Tailoring instruction to meet the unique needs and learning styles of each student can increase engagement for all students.
   8. Encourage and model a growth mindset: Helping students to see their abilities as something that can be developed through effort and persistence, can lead to more effort, deeper engagement, and improved academic achievement.

It’s important to note that engagement and teaching strategies will vary depending on the subjects, the students and their individual learning style, and the classroom’s culture. Therefore, it’s important to assess the engagement of the students and adapt the teaching strategies accordingly.

Reference

Gillen-O’Neel. (2021). Sense of Belonging and Student Engagement. A daily study of first and continuing-generation of college students. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11162-019-09570-y

Vanderbilt University. (n.d.). Classroom Assessment Techniques (CAT). https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/cats/