How do you design engaging online activities for your students?

I also like to present visual models or tangible resources to accompany the online task. For example, if students are learning about sound waves and how humans hear, I will place a model of a human ear as an artifact on the table. They will often pick it up to try to figure out how it works which makes them even more determined to learn.

When I start teaching a new and difficult concept, I like to structure the lesson using different tools. I start with the vocabulary with a deck of quizlet flashcards. Quizlet gives learners the opportunity to listen or interact with the cards so they could go for a walk while learning the words that will be in the lesson. Then, they move into an Articulate Rise module that chunks the new information into a lesson, practice, review format. Lecture videos work through case studies, and then Canvas quizzes with individualized feedback provide a formative assessment that determines if the learner is ready to move on. I've had great success with bundling these tools!

Designing engaging online activities involves utilizing a variety of tools and formats to captivate students' interest. Incorporate multimedia elements like videos, interactive quizzes, discussion forums, and virtual simulations. This diverse approach caters to different learning styles and keeps the content fresh. Utilize online collaboration tools for group work and real-time interaction. Balancing text, visuals, and interactive components ensures a dynamic and stimulating learning experience, enhancing student engagement and understanding.

To help students look forward to responding in a discussion forum, co-create a post with students. Invite ideas for five questions they would enjoy answering to help others learn about them and vice versa. Their responses can be a short list and earn them attendance or bonus points. My students really enjoyed providing their input & reading their classmates' answers!

Creating captivating online activities involves integrating collaborative and social learning elements. Incorporate group projects, peer discussions, and virtual teamwork to foster interaction. Encourage students to share perspectives, collaborate on assignments, and provide feedback to one another. This not only enhances engagement but also promotes a sense of community within the online learning environment. By facilitating meaningful interactions, you can create a dynamic and enriching online learning experience for your students.

When designing online activities, ensuring student engagement starts with providing clear instructions and expectations. Clearly outline the activity's purpose, goals, and steps for completion. Set expectations for deliverables, deadlines, and assessment criteria. Clarity helps students understand their tasks and reduces confusion. Use concise language and visual aids to enhance comprehension. By establishing transparent guidelines, you empower students to navigate activities effectively and participate with confidence.

Level-up your feedback by recording it as audio or video feedback, if possible within your LMS or learning platform. This helps your students feel connected to the human behind the feedback and work towards building a meaningful relationship with you. Providing opportunites for students to receive feedback in advance of submission through a live debrief or breakdown is another great way to do this that not only benefits them individually, but others in the class as well if you allow others to attend (and the student agrees/understands the structure).

Engaging online activities require timely and constructive feedback. Regularly provide feedback to students on their work to guide their learning and improvement. Ensure feedback is specific, highlighting strengths and areas for enhancement. Offer actionable suggestions for growth and encourage students' critical thinking. Timely feedback helps students stay on track and motivates them to actively participate in online activities. Effective feedback fosters a supportive online learning environment and contributes to meaningful student engagement.

As with all effective reflection and self-assessment, interleaving is key. Most schools use blocked practice, which consists of repeatedly practicing a single skill, with repetition being the key. It concludes with summative assessments. This is how most curriculums are designed. On the contrary, interleaving mixes related skills or content together intentionally. It doesn't conclude; the focus is on continuing with skills and content through effective formative assessments. For example, practicing skills A, B, and C in blocks would form the pattern AAABBBCCC. The interleaving method forms the pattern ABCABCABC. This keeps skills and content "at hand" for students while making them more relevant by making meaning in real time.

Designing engaging online activities involves encouraging reflection and self-assessment. Provide opportunities for students to reflect on their learning experiences, insights, and progress. Include self-assessment components where students evaluate their own work against criteria. This promotes metacognition and empowers students to take ownership of their learning. Reflective activities foster deeper understanding, improve critical thinking, and enhance engagement by making the learning experience more personal and meaningful.