8 Tips for an Interesting Online Classroom
The past few months, the world has witnessed a drastic change in the way educational institutes are operating. Due to Covid-19, the abrupt closing down of schools and tuition centers have encouraged teachers and students to implement distance-learning through online mediums. Online classrooms, online group discussions and one-on-one video calls are increasing in number as teachers try to create interactive and interesting classrooms. The lack of close-range communication acts as a barrier in trying to maintain the usual, energized classroom atmosphere, and makes it difficult in keeping interests high amongst students. To break down this barrier and re-animate your classroom again, we have listed below eight tips to keep your students interested in your online classes:
- Let the young ones choose their paths
Giving your students the autonomy to decide on how to approach a topic, or to pick out their preferred topic from a selection of topics will make them feel more involved in the classroom. Choosing the order of which they want to learn their lessons will unite the classroom, as well as ensure that your portions will be completed. The responsibility to “choose their path” will pique their interest in the lessons and is sure to promise an engaging, interactive and interesting classroom.
- Encourage contributions from your young learners
The key to an interesting and engaging class is to propel your students into sharing their tidbits of knowledge. Encourage your students to do some of their own research on topics that they prefer, or to share their experiences in case it has any similarities to a lesson. This will inspire other students to share their own knowledge and experiences in a particular topic, and will prompt interesting discussions.
- Enable gamification
Implementing games and other creative mediums into your online classroom is a guaranteed way to enhance interest and increase participation within your students. Games that are relevant to the current lesson and with a learning objective will be a perfect combination of fun and education. It will allow students to work with each other, maybe in teams, and it will certainly spark interest in the lesson if the game is memorable. Be cautious, however, that students don’t belittle other students in case they don’t complete the game fast enough. Modify the game so that all your students feel equal amounts of accomplishments.
- Encourage reactions and reviews
Advice your students to share, communicate, review and speak out on content that has been shared in online classes. This will encourage discussions, light banter and other conversations that will heighten interest and engagement in the class.
- Effective breaking down of lesson
Keep in mind not to rush a lesson. It is important that you break down the lesson according to the students’ comfort, since online learning is very different from the classroom. Incorporate colour imagery and interesting videos instead of lengthy texts to maintain interest. Before we get down to the fun and games, it’s best to start by working on timing.
- Curate your lessons accordingly
Study material, games and stories should fit the students’ understanding as well as your lesson plan. Introduce your lessons in such a manner that students don’t feel like they’re studying hefty academic material, but rather, engaging educational options. Sharing videos, games, pictures and activities for the students’ age range will work wonders in maintaining their interest in your lessons.
- Incorporate movements on screen
To make the most out of the classroom space - encourage movement. Sitting in front of your chair and glued to the screen will soon be a boring visual for your students, and they might find their attention drifting. Instead, use the space in your room to introduce fun movement activities such as dancing or singing, or ask your students to introduce their house pets, or to show a favorite object in their room to initiate conversation. This will spark interest within other students, as well as allow them to move around in their screens.
- Keep students active
Ensure that students don’t get lost in the silence of when they’re working, instead encourage them to be active by sharing their thoughts and observations through speech or by typing. This will keep their mind engaged with the current lesson. In order to enable this, you can ask questions, personal opinions and so on.
Also Read : 5 Best Live Streaming Platforms For Virtual Classroom
