Tips for faculty to engage with students effectively online

With the exuberant changes in technology and current Covid situations, online education has gained tremendous popularity. Whereas the onset of online classes is astonishing to the students, it is no less than a switchback ride for the educationalists. The sudden shift away of the system left the faculties with the biggest eerie to engage with the students effectively in online classes.

Despite the captivating content, the lack of personal accountability on a digital platform makes it challenging to engage the students. As online education has taken centre stage,  to keep you at ease and meet the aspects for persuasive outcomes, here are a few exclusive tips for faculty to make class interesting, and engage with students effectively online.

1. Preparation is The Key

An excellent faculty with outstanding performance knows the significance of behind the scenes efforts. The digital platform is not an exception; being a completely different podium, one needs to be extra cautious with the preparation.  

Research and groundwork let you mark a strong presence through probable solutions to students’ queries. Acquaintance with technology and backup plans for unexpected situations keeps you connected with the students eloquently. Be ready with the learning tools like e-notes, presentations, terminologies, sketches, key questions, etc., and share them to seize the attention. It provides you with the opportunity to engage better with the students.

• Gamification of the Content

Game mechanics is a technique that works well in every sector, be it work, business, or education. Complete the task, achieve the goal, and the badge is yours. This simple trick acts as a motivational factor and  the students engaged with e-learning.

Implement gamification in the content by creating competitive activities within the class to enhance academic skills. Believe it or not, every person loves games, no matter how old he gets. And it gives you a fair chance to get engaged with the learners.

• Understanding the tools available for free

Teaching is all about the technique of delivering the content. Everyone knows what to teach, but the secret lies in how to teach. There are many teaching tools available for online teaching that are innovative and captivating for the students. For instance, refer to the link https://teacheroo.io/blog/top-25-free-online-tools-and-software-for-teachers/  and get some electrifying tools for your content. It is just a tiny drop; if the faculty starts searching, then an ocean of tools are available to use. 

Instead of following the conventional method of teaching, add flavours into it with free teaching tools. Resourceful and flavoured teaching ways create an engaging environment for the students. It reduces boredom and further connects you better with the students by making the class attention-grabbing.

• Feedback is Important

Everyone wants to be heard and craves attention. And here, when we deal with the students, it is totally justified to give them a voice. Either a group instructional feedback session or individual feedback through survey form, both ways it helps in improving teaching skills and supports better mentorship.

Regular discussions allow us to know the difficulties students face in online learning and facilitate better education. Regularity in the process gives a space to students to share their problems without hindrances and eventually make you feel more associated with them. Asking colleagues to observe the classes for feedback is also an effective practice faculty can adopt.

• Confirm and Re-affirm what you Taught

Encourage reflective teaching. Check your students for their learning and focus areas by confirming and re-affirming the knowledge you delivered. It allows you to know the problematic zones. Moreover, it offers a platform to connect with individual students for their specific snags and solutions.

It does not just help students overcome the difficulties in learning but also help you in improving teaching skills with the additional benefit of a better association. So, it is a win-win situation.

Key Point To Remember

Let us conclude by understanding that e-learning is a part of technology. It has no adverse impact on your teaching skills or expertise. Hence throw away the inhibitions and use them significantly as a tool. Online learning is just a means of imparting knowledge, but the real essence of teaching lies in your support, commitment, and connection with the students.