Online Engagement

Student engagement is the product of motivation and active learning.  It is a product rather than a sum because it will not occur if either element is missing (Barkely, 2010, p. 6).  An instructor might be using dozens of active learning techniques throughout a course, but if the students are not motivated to learn, then student engagement will not occur. Likewise, an instructor who works to increase student motivation (i.e. through culturally responsive teaching) but uses passive learning techniques only, may not be able to build engagement in the course.

The resources presented here consider a variety of approaches including building community, connecting with students, increasing student-student interaction, and organizing learning in ways that promote active learning.

Beyond the discussion board: Engagement in online courses

In this workshop led by Tarisa Matsumoto-Maxfield at Highline’s Opening Week 2020, participants learn different strategies for engaging students in an online environment and then self-assess to see if they have incorporated any of those strategies in their online classes. Workshop recording    Workshop slides

Encouraging student engagement during synchronous meetings: Preventing mid-term drop off

Many are feeling a sense of general overwhelm, students and faculty alike – exacerbated of course by Covid 19.   In this Faculty Focus article, Samantha Clifford EdD presents six authentic scenarios and offers strategies and ideas to maintain motivation and accountability.

Online learning: Designing for engagement and collaboration

Olivia Vagelos at IDEO U shares in this article ideas for designing human-centered online learning experiences through making the most of shared experiences, making it relevant, engaging the senses, and going forward with empathy.

Active learning strategies to foster student learning, engagement and community in the virtual classroom

During Highline’s 2020 Professional Development Day, Aleya Dhanji discusses strategies to make active learning, both at the group and individual level, more engaging and meaningful. Aleya also explores how the online environment provides a great opportunity to try something completely new and harness various technology (Zoom, Canvas, Slack, Hypothesis, Padlet, VoiceThread and more) to build community in the virtual classroom.  Presentation slides

Promoting community in online courses

Many instructors worry about losing the interaction and sense of community they have with their students when they teach face-to-face.  That doesn’t have to be the case! Many instructors successfully create a sense on community in their remote courses.  Udermann (2019) offers 7 Strategies to promote community in online courses.

Using the 4 Connections to build relational capital with students online

The 4 Connections are simple practices that many faculty members already apply to build relationships with their students. Their power comes from a commitment to practice them intentionally.  Their use appears to correlate with both increased pass rates and sharply narrowing (if not coming close to closing) equity gaps around pass rates.

The 4 Connections are:

1. Interact with Students by Name – Learn your students’ names and begin using them on the first day of class and throughout the quarter.

2.  Check In Regularly – Pay attention to student behavior and track student progress. Empathize with students. When a student is struggling, intervene. Refer students to campus resources.

3.  Schedule One-on-One Meetings – At the beginning of the quarter and throughout, schedule one-on-one meetings with students.

4.  Practice Paradox – Structure your course clearly. Communicate your expectations regularly. Then, be reasonably flexible when students come to you with concerns.

Visit Highline’s 4 Connections Canvas pages

Flower Darby’s How to be a better online teacher: advice guide

Flower Darby, co-author of Small teaching online with James Lange, recently shared with The Chronicle her 10 Essential principles and practices for teaching online.  Darby argues online teaching can be just as rewarding as teaching in a bricks-and-mortar classroom, if in different ways – that good teaching is good teaching.  In this guide, she shares advice on how to make your online pedagogy as effective and satisfying as the in-person version.

Flower Darby’s 5 Ways to connect with online students

In 5 Ways to connect with online students, Flower Darby discusses ways to build connections with students – early on – and to use those connections frequently to build relationship with them.

Six ways to build community in online classes

This article from Mind/Shift KQED perhaps has K-12 students in mind, but offers many great suggestions in line with Highline’s 4 Connections work.

The secret weapon of good online teaching: Discussion forums

Flower Darby shares  ways to lead meaningful class discussions in an asynchronous online forum

Professional development opportunities

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Reference

Barkley, E.F. (2010). Student engagement techniques: A handbook for college faculty.  Jossey-Bass.