10 Innovative Online Teaching Methods to Improve Student Engagement

While online classes have indeed become the new normal, low student engagement still remains one of the biggest challenges in the education sector today. Teachers constantly report that the majority of students seem distracted and simply uninterested during online classes. Can interesting online teaching methods help teachers overcome this problem?

While the traditional classroom approach became monotonous a long time ago, technology has introduced various online teaching methods and strategies to improve students’ experience in the classroom. Ideally, a mix of different study tools can help students feel energised and make them willing to learn more.

The teaching strategies for virtual classrooms are listed below to maximise the efficiency of online teaching and learning.

Online Teaching Methods For Teachers

One could argue that conventional teaching has always been delivered in a concrete manner, with the teacher standing and reciting material that the pupil is expected to comprehend and remember. However, education is now being provided in a more appealing and consumable format because of the advancement of technology and the internet.

There are various types of online teaching methods, but we have put together a list of the best ones that can be easily integrated by teachers in their teaching strategy.

1. Presentations

A definite way to organise online teaching techniques and make them visually appealing is with presentations. Presentations allow students to learn by looking at digital forms of content in the classroom.

It is helpful not only for higher education but also for children. With the low attention spans of children, the changing slides on the screen can keep them hooked for longer. Children take a keen interest in reading, listening, and learning with presentations to teach the topic.

Benefits

• Adding facts and figures for each topic
• Adding data as graphs, tables, pie charts, Venn diagrams, and other illustrations
• Using video bits from YouTube for complex topics
• Adding images to explain subjects wherever possible
• It can be downloaded anytime.
• Suitable for revision and learning at home.

Examples

• Google Slides
• SlideShare
• Prezi
• MS PowerPoint

2. Online Whiteboard

Blackboards used to be a staple method of teaching in earlier times. Whiteboards later replaced this as times changed. Online whiteboard or virtual whiteboard supplements teachers to explain concepts to students. These virtual whiteboards allow teachers to write, draw, and illustrate on the digital screen while teaching. More and more teachers are using online whiteboards to help build a better connection with their students.

Benefits

• Interactive whiteboards are internet-connected. Thus, teachers have access to a variety of online resources and tools.
• One can equip whiteboards with virtually any tool. This includes computers, microscopes, and video cameras to improve instruction. The opportunities, thus, are practically unlimited
• Teaching through virtual whiteboards can help teachers to engage effectively that helps to increase information retention multiple times
• Once the class is over, teachers can download the whiteboard data and share it with students as a pdf to help them with revisions
• They can also assign the students simple brainstorming activities or homework using the same method

Examples

• Zoom
• Microsoft Whiteboard
• Stormboard
• Google Jamboard

3. Live Online Classes

The online teaching technique has allowed teachers to reach students across physical boundaries in real-time. Teachers can now make their virtual classrooms available for all. They no longer have to run admissions and collect student data. Live classes have become the new normal. Many teachers had made miracles happen when students from other states and countries often viewed their live classes. Live online classes coupled with digital whiteboards or presentations are engaging and effective.

 Benefits

• Students can attend these classes as demo sessions before joining the paid courses
• In case there is a need to promote these live classes online, one can do that on various social media platforms. Their student groups are on WhatsApp to get the maximum reach for the same
• Online teaching methods provide the aspect of flexibility and self-care
• Students can use a learning experience platform that will tailor the curriculum
• Students don’t have to feel rushed or restricted because they are not in competition with anyone else. Instead, they can fast-forward through or go over the information as often as they want

Also, read: 10 Best Online Tutoring Sites of 2022

Examples

• YouTube
• Zoom
• Google Meet
• Unacademy
• Vedantu

4. Pre-recorded Video Lectures

Some students and teachers are still unable to adapt to the live classroom approach. One of the major challenges is the availability of fast internet for all the participants at the same time and devices to attend the classes. Pre-recorded lectures can help to counter these challenges.

A large number of students worldwide prefer this online method of teaching due to the flexibility and convenience that it offers. To assist students in consolidating and applying what they learned from the video, teachers may ask them to complete an activity after it. Students should be able to contact the teachers if they have any questions and give feedback on the lectures. Constructive criticism from the students helps the teaching-learning process.

Benefits

• Multiple plays for revisions or different batches for the same topic.
• Students can play the lectures later if they are unable to attend live.
• Students can learn anytime from anywhere at their convenience.
• Easier to share and play can be played even on the big screen for distant learning batches.
• Teachers can make these lectures more effective by preparing scripts in advance and editing the videos as they like.

Examples

• CamStudio
• Hippo Video
• Loom
• Apowersoft

5. Flipped Classroom

Flipped classroom method is one of the most popular online teaching methods that gained momentum during the pandemic. As the name suggests, the entire teaching process flips in this method. Students study from the resources provided to them before the lecture. The teacher then teaches with context to the study material. Contrary to the other shortened content methods, flipped classroom aims at comprehensive learning.

Benefits

• This online teaching strategy allows the learning of vast topics in capsule-sized lectures. Students can attend them in short periods
• This technique is more effective through student engagement activities such as online quizzes, infographics, polls, questionnaires, group discussions, and debates
• This model assists kids in studying independently and gaining a deeper understanding of subjects to catch up more quickly
• Teachers can use their knowledge and abilities more effectively

Examples

• Edpuzzle
• BookWidgets
• Symbaloo
• Ted-Ed

6. Live Chatting

This is the most underrated and effective online teaching method. Messaging for reviewing subject-related material through polls and questions is helpful. It allows students to solve their doubts quickly and easily. This offers a platform for collaboration and interaction. Such live chats often need to be with some ground rules. It’ll maintain the decorum of educational institutes and curb nuisance behaviour.

Benefits

• Such chatting platforms allow students to interact with each other
• They help to build soft skills, textual and verbal skills
• It provides them space the present their ideas before their fellow students

Examples

• Slack
• Skype
• Messenger
• Whatsapp

7. Discussion Boards and Forums

Often lectures are not the only source of knowledge for students. Interaction through discussions helps students to get a clearer understanding of tricky topics. Discussion boards provide an interactive space. Also, offers a platform for students to present their views informally and engage in discussions about the same.

Benefits

• Discussion boards and forums allow students to get comfortable interacting with their fellow batch mates
• Students can participate fully in class without experiencing the anxiety they may feel with so many eyes on them
• These are also the best spaces to give creative liberty to students
• Teachers can create separate discussion boards for different topics. Likewise, add topics for discussion on the same

Examples

• Stack Overflow
• Quora
• India-Forums

Related Article: Online Tuition Jobs

8. Game-Based Learning

A teaching strategy called “game-based learning” makes use of the persuasiveness of games to specify and support learning objectives. Through instructional games with components like engagement, quick rewards, and healthy competition, a GBL environment boosts students’ motivation for learning more.

Benefits

• Boosts a child’s memory power
• Fluency with computers & simulations
• Quick strategic thinking & problem-solving assistance
• Particularly helpful for kids with attention disorders
• Encourages children to engage in healthy competition

Examples

• EdApp
• Kahoot
• Gametize
• Centrical
• Archy Learning

9. Artificial Intelligence

AI enables teachers to provide pupils with individualised responses to pertinent queries. In accordance with the problems and inquiries they encounter in course materials and online sessions, it also aids in students’ education. Students can now communicate with teachers via a more comprehensive mechanism.

Benefits

• Students can always use online AI instructors for their studies.
• A personalised approach makes students feel unique, which increases their dedication and passion for learning.
• With the help of AI-powered chatbots or AI virtual personal assistants, students may avoid feeling embarrassed when they ask for more assistance in front of their peers.

Examples

• Eupheus
• Practically
• Mindler
• Jungroo Learning
• Prodigy

10. Mobile-Friendly Platforms

Mobile learning is the future of education for a variety of reasons, the first of which is that it is adaptable. Students today have several jobs, and office-less and remote work environments are becoming increasingly commonplace for professionals. Additionally, with mobile learning, users may perform modules or classes whenever they want, from anywhere, at any time.

It’s the ideal platform for learning on the go for a student or employee. The concept of microlearning is dividing knowledge into manageable chunks. These learning “chunks” are narrowly focused teachings that are simpler to understand, retain, and recall later.

Benefits

• Each student is in charge and may study at their own speed while concentrating on the areas they know they need to get better at or have trouble with
• Mobile learning helps them develop skills in using analytics and reporting tools to keep track of their students.
• You can swiftly offer training without having to reprint anything and make updates and revisions at any time.
• One user-friendly platform may be used for messaging, sharing assignments, tracking grades, and even designing quizzes.

Examples

• Edmodo
• Class Dojo
• Flip
• Nearpod

A growing inclination among students is toward distance learning and online education. This is due to the opportunities it provides and the flexibility it offers. So, it becomes clear that online teaching is the direction towards which education is headed, and it would be an inexhaustible resource to prospective teachers and learners.

Various new online teaching methods and pedagogy will keep emerging to make online learning more effective. On the whole, online teaching methods are cost-effective and helpful. They elicit interest in the student, pique curiosity to learn more, drive curiosity and perseverance in students who lack them and make knowledge easier. 

Related read: Online Teaching Apps

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