7 Ways to Engage With Students Through Remote Learning

COVID-19 abruptly shifted education. Teachers and parents have responded bravely to the challenge, but it often takes extra effort to keep kids engaged with online learning.

While the pandemic may have forever changed how students function and learn, we’ve seen a tremendous level of creative adaptation to the new learning environment. Here are seven of our best tips to better engage students learning from home.

Best Practices for Educators Keeping students engaged isn’t easy even in the best of times, but these tricks help teachers stay connected regardless of in-person or online learning.

1. Lead with empathy

Remote learning is tougher on your students, too. A gentle and compassionate tone speaks volumes to a stressed-out student.

2. Set participation expectations

Communicate what students can expect, but ensure students have a “safety net” to ask for help. Invite students to speak up in calls and type answers in real-time without requiring them to be “right” every time.

3. Give every student a turn to speak

In an online classroom, it’s easy to miss quieter students. Put in the effort to engage everyone individually during every learning session.

4. Communicate Responsibilities

Clearly articulate roles and responsibilities for parents, students, and even school administrators. Help everyone understand the policies and procedures for homework, testing, and in-class participation.

5. Teach in a Relatable Way

Relate learning to students’ lives and the current conditions in their communities. Acknowledge the challenge or even make a joke about life in quarantine instead of pretending it doesn’t exist.

6. Use Varied Media Formats

Create activities that shift the mode of instruction by using videos, group assignments, polling apps, and educational games.

7. Use Support Tools

Lastly, remember teachers can’t do everything! Student support tools, such as remote tutoring, now exist virtually and at times convenient to a student and their family, allowing for additional instruction outside of traditional school hours.

Support Your Students In-Person or Online

Research studies conducted before and during the COVID-19 pandemic have reinforced the previously held belief that the best practice for supporting students is in-person learning. But even after the pandemic, there will always be times when students need or desire remote instruction.