How To Make eLearning Easy And Participating
Experience-based tips for asynchronous eLearning
Distance learning is the topic of the hour today. Global pandemics have addressed this issue quite sharply. Students and teachers were forced to immediately accept new rules and quickly adapt to a new format. Making the eLearning environment productive and engaging is a question of strategy. Let’s face it, even in the classroom it is difficult to involve students in the learning process. It could be even more complex to keep them informed during the online courses. However, we have a list of experience-based tips that we can share. Read on to learn how to get learners to stay active at home during asynchronous learning.
Motivation is the key
Motivation is a powerful driving force that helps us achieve our goals. When students are motivated to learn, they think better, work productively, and participate diligently in educational activities. To pique their interest, educators can use the following tools:
Video, audio and graphics
Visual or auditory study materials are perfect for grabbing students’ attention. In addition, they usually explain complicated concepts and topics in a clear and appealing way, which ensures memorization.
Projects
Learning in small pieces is less productive than inventing and completing projects. A project usually consists of numerous phases that require different skills: gathering information, processing, and creating a final product. Be it a piece of paper, a short film or a work of art, students usually perceive projects as meaningful tasks. Encourage them to create something big and interesting.
Games
Game-based learning is a great tool to get learners involved in the process and better grasp the materials. For example, tutors can encourage their students to arrange role play and take on the roles of fictional characters. They can also assign timed games that require students to work against the clock and complete tasks on time. Playoffs are great too; Ask students to find the best answer to a particular situation and to choose the best scenario.
Provide comfort and security
Distance learning can leave students feeling abandoned and desperate. You are used to daily interactions with classmates and teachers, but now everyone is isolated. In the past, they could ask their classmates or teachers to explain something they did not understand, but now it is impossible to ask face to face. It is crucial to prove otherwise:
- If students have any questions or problems, make sure you respond quickly.
- Think of online meeting environments and messengers that students can use to reach you after class – be it email, social networks, Skype, Zoom, or anything else.
- Respond to challenges and help students understand how to approach them.
- Listen carefully to their problems and try to find solutions.
- Don’t avoid including your personality in the course – share your thoughts, life experiences, challenges and ways in which you approach them;
- Be as committed as you would expect your students to be.
Cultivate cooperation
Remote learning requires collaboration like no other format. Encourage students to work together:
- Invite students to share their ideas, experiences, and plans in online discussions
- Assign group tasks
- Note and encourage any common ideas and initiatives among the students
Active communication
Students have no problems communicating online, they write dozens of messages every day. Dynamic online discussions will definitely keep you updated:
- Discuss course topics in small groups
- Encourage specific students to lead discussions and come up with interesting questions
- Arrange debates between students
- Take part in discussions yourself – show your interest, ask questions, and help them find new topics to explore
- Use whatever platforms you find helpful – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and more
Tools for an online classroom
Here are some proven tools that can help educators enrich their online teaching:
- Padlet is a digital notice board that teachers can use to provide students with interactive “walls”. The board can contain pictures, videos, documents, and other files. Both students and teachers can post on the board from any internet connected device.
- VoiceThread is a tool that records conversations and saves them in the cloud. Every time you give lectures, it is important to record them in audio, video or text and then share them with learners. The files at VocieThread can be downloaded.
- FlipGrid is a simple video tool for online discussions. The tool has been developed for the academic environment and contains all the functions you may need in your online course. Create a discussion, share it with students, and record it.
Practical ideas combined with engaging digital tools enable you to create a productive and engaging learning environment. Use engaging media to keep students motivated, encourage collaboration, organize online discussions, and create a comfortable environment. Keep them active and most importantly – stay active yourself! Nothing is more engaging than someone else’s energy!
