Engaging students in your online learning program is one of the keys to ensure that they learn effectively and make the most of what they are doing. Therefore, the most productive way to connect students in virtual courses is through communication and coordination. Additionally, in interactive online learning sessions, trainees have no choice but to participate in learning actively. Here are seven practical methods for improving students’ connections in virtual classrooms.

1) Ask for Responses

It is crucial to provide online discussion platforms and other digital forums to distance learners and ask them for feedback. This activity helps students raise their concerns anonymously, which leads to teamwork and communication. Furthermore, the method through which we evaluate these comments allows us to improve online programs and make course content more relevant.

2) Invite Students to Participate

Another way to promote class interaction among students is by motivation and class participation. It allows students to share their knowledge by creating resources or organizing online group meetings. Furthermore, goal-based learning can provide trainees with authentic and relevant learning outcomes. Seniors can share their experiences with the juniors to motivate as well as inspire them for their new online courses.

3) Storytelling Instructional Method 

The storytelling instructional strategy has always impacted students’ memory and aided their retention, especially for college students, stories are easier to absorb and comprehend. 

Organizational psychologist Peg Neuhauser found that a well-told story can be remembered more accurately and last longer than fact-based learning. The study also pointed out that events are 20 times more likely to be recognized as part of history. Furthermore, storytelling also opens the portal for dialogues and discussions that enhance the virtual classroom’s interaction and excitement.

4) Involving Videos and Pictures in Content

The Research data shows that about 65% of students learn through vision. Therefore, many students in the class are likely to learn through visual means. It is typically effective for students who find films and pictures to be more handy and accessible for remembering information. More so, this is one of the best ways to increase classroom interaction. When the classroom is interactive, students tend to be more involved and inspired by the subject matter and discuss more openly.

5) Make it Social and Promote Interactive Online Learning

The survey conducted by U.S. educational instructors reported that social activities such as commenting and sharing views on different topics encourage interaction among learners. The gamification technique can further enhance the students’ socialization process. Gamification explains the idea of individuals’ interaction in non-game contexts and tasks by using game-style mechanisms. Gamification takes advantage of people’s natural abilities towards competition, achievement, collaboration, and philanthropy.

Game elements such as points, badges, ribbons, levels, money, and social status can be applied in gamification learning methods. Gamification has become popular in the current time. To make the classroom more interesting, you need to create a structure and reward plan. More so, the achievers set an example that motivates people to attain goals and increase their productivity.

6) Let People Choose the Way

The selection of desired subjects and courses by students enhances their confidence and encourages participation in an online class. Also, the instructors and family members can provide recommendations that facilitate the course selection process and boost learners’ confidence and ability to share their ideas comfortably.

7) Encourage Peer Evaluation for Interactive Online Learning

Peer review is a time-honored teaching practice proven to be an excellent strategy for increasing student-teacher interaction in online classes. Additionally, allowing students to critique each other’s assessments also improves their comprehension of work and promotes a culture of communication that aids in the dissemination of best practices.

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