Having purely online classes is considered as a big shift from what students and parents are most familiar with, that is, the traditional face-to-face setup, and despite being as common as it may seem, it is definitely a new learning experience for everyone.

There are many adjustments to make since most students are neither familiar nor comfortable with this style, and some are also easily distracted by their surroundings.

Here are six tips that might help teachers solve engagement issues in both synchronous and asynchronous classes.

Synchronous Classes

1. Provide videos that students may watch

Students will have the chance to be engaged with visual learning by being provided with entertaining yet educational videos that they may watch. This will also be a chance for them to share their thoughts through reaction and reflection discussions, and teachers shall only be responsible for processing these and connecting students’ thoughts with the actual topic.

2. Divide your class into smaller groups

Video conferencing apps such as Zoom has the capability to divide students into breakout rooms where they will have the opportunity not only to share and discuss their answers with one another, but know more about their classmates as well. After such activities, it is best that students will also be given the chance to share their discussions with everyone in the main room.

3. Take advantage of chat features

Many teachers are already adapting this kind of teaching especially when teachers tend to ask the students to click an emoticon as a form of reacting or responding on a specific topic. For more simpler implementations, it is also possible to just ask the students to type their questions or answers in the platform’s chat box.

4. Conduct online games

Games which are fun and educational at the same time can increase the engagement of the students. Utilizing a pointing system for correct answers is also a great way of adding-up to this technique since this can be considered among the activities to be included in the gradebook.

Asynchronous Classes

1. Facilitate online forum discussions

Teachers may opt to create questions that students need to answer as part of their requirements. This may be in the form of discussions and students are required to at least respond to two of their peer’s comments to open continuous discussions and promote maximum engagement.

2. Allow cross feedbacks

This can be a form of dividing students into smaller groups and teachers will be crafting questions that they will need to answer. Groups will have the chance to evaluate another group’s responses, and this will encourage the students to utilize their higher order thinking skills.