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Online Student Engagement: 4 Tips to Boost Participation

Published on December 13, 2023

In the ever-advancing landscape of higher education, student engagement has taken on a new dimension. Traditionally, the term depicted images of lively classroom discussions, spirited debates and active participation in campus activities. But in the age of online learning, student engagement has morphed into a virtual realm. The key to success is fostering an interactive and dynamic digital education environment.

But why is student engagement important in higher education? Engaged students learn better. Active online learning participation allows students to absorb and retain information, ask questions and develop critical thinking skills. Cultivating student engagement ensures learners aren’t just passively watching lectures but actively contributing to them. Read on to discover four tips to boost online student engagement.

Engage Students in Active Learning

To boost online student engagement, you need to make the content and learning materials immersive and engaging. Active learning is the cornerstone of this approach. This approach shifts the traditional lecture-style teaching to a more dynamic, participatory model where students are actively involved in learning.

It entails integrating group discussions, problem-solving exercises and hands-on projects into the normal lecture. By doing so, students become co-creators of their education, resulting in higher levels of engagement and comprehension.

Promote Dynamic Discussions

Dynamic discussions are at the heart of online student engagement. Instead of having the traditional monotonous question-and-answer sessions, create a virtual classroom that's lively and filled with interactive exchanges of ideas and perspectives. Facilitating dynamic discussions involves creating a safe space for students to express their thoughts, encouraging debate and challenging students to think critically.

The benefits of dynamic discussions include enhanced communication skills, exposure to diverse viewpoints and a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Multimedia, breakout rooms and online collaboration tools can help facilitate these conversations effectively.

Tailor Education to Individual Needs

Personalizing the learning experience is about recognizing that each student has unique learning preferences. It involves adapting your teaching methods and content to meet individual needs. Personalization can include providing various learning resources, allowing students to choose assignment topics and offering flexible deadlines.

This approach works because it empowers students to take control of their education and makes the learning process more relevant to their lives. It also acknowledges that online higher education students have different schedules, backgrounds and motivations.

Eliminate Disruptions

Online students often face various disruptions that can hinder their class engagement. These disruptions may include technical issues, home-related disturbances and a lack of focus due to the absence of face-to-face interaction. To mitigate these challenges, instructors can take several steps:

  • Technical Support: Ensure students can access the necessary technology and tools and offer technical support when issues arise.

  • Clear Communication: Set expectations and guidelines for online learning participation and behavior.

  • Interactive Feedback: Provide prompt and constructive feedback on assignments and engagement to motivate students.

  • Collaboration Tools: Use collaboration tools to encourage interaction and group work.

Partner With MedCerts for Comprehensive Online Student Engagement

MedCerts, a leading online education provider, checks all the boxes for enhancing online student engagement. Our instructional design approach aims to actively involve students through immersive, hands-on learning experiences. With a focus on healthcare and IT education, MedCerts offers dynamic discussions, personalized learning and responsive support to eliminate disruptions and ensure students get the most out of their online education.

Institutions seeking to enhance online student engagement can partner with MedCerts through our licensing partnership models. By doing so, educators and organizations can tap into our wealth of resources, expertise and proven track record of delivering successful online education. Partner with us today to take your online student engagement to the next level.

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Written by
Rafael Castaneda
Senior Vice President of Workforce Development

With more than 20 years in the postsecondary arena, Rafael has focused on workforce strategies that build programmatic pathways for unemployed and underemployed students from underserved populations.

Before joining MedCerts, Rafael was the chief academic officer and dean of education at CBD College, a private two-year allied health college in Los Angeles. He also served as a strategy and innovation leader for Jobs for the Future (JFF) crafting connections between postsecondary actors and thought leaders. He is a member of the advisory board of the University of California, Irvine’s Customer Experience Program. Rafael has worked with over 2K schools and 1K workforce organizations & employers on solutions.

He strongly believes the three-legged stool of workforce success are schools, businesses, and community organizations but they need a catalyst and that is where MedCerts comes in – as the driver of the solutions to supplement and complement the three.

A passionate believer in education as a great equalizer, Rafael joined MedCerts because the organization provides the opportunity to actively participate in bridging the digital divide and skills gap for unserved populations of students. This extremely rewarding and tangible championing of education-based initiatives alongside serving all demographics students provides a rare opportunity to not just speak, but do.

Rafael is a husband to a brilliant and talented wife, father to two ambitious daughters, and an active member of his community. You will find him at a spin class most weekday mornings and doing outside activities with his family and their French bulldog, Penny, on the weekends. He has lived and worked in all time zones and in nine states over the past 12 years. Connect with Rafael on LinkedIn.

Published on December 13, 2023

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