Making online learning fun

By miranda.prynne, 16 April, 2021

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Teaser

Students are more likely to be actively engaged in their learning if they are enjoying it and, happily, online teaching offers plenty of opportunity to play around and get creative with your course design and delivery styles. So, browse these resources to get ideas and inspiration for injecting fun into your online classes.

Resource

By Laura.Duckett, 2 January, 2024

We used a hybrid escape room to dramatically boost student attendance

Low class attendance has been a growing trend since the pandemic, so how can we encourage students to come back? Educators at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University share their innovative strategy

Reading time

4minutes

By dene.mullen, 17 October, 2023

Using fun and interactive micromodules to energise learning

big versus small in the microlearning arena

Lee Chien Ching and Tan Kian Lip Erick share the intricate process of producing a micromodule that attracts students through an enjoyable, interactive learning experience

Reading time

4minutes

By miranda.prynne, 18 May, 2021

Serious play: boosting engagement in online courses through games

Learn how applying game techniques to online learning improves engagement

Dario De Notaris explains how gaming techniques should be taken seriously as a way to keep students engaged in online courses, based on his research into improving Mooc completion rates

By Laura.Duckett, 5 October, 2023

Sparking online joy: five ways to keep students engaged

Student in her bedroom sitting on the floor on her laptop listening to music

Five guiding principles to use when designing and developing content for short online courses that will keep students engaged

Reading time

4minutes

By sara.custer, 16 July, 2021

Funny memes and other ways to encourage students to keep their cameras on

A woman communicates with classmates in a synchronous remote classroom

Frank R. Castelli offers advice from his evidenced-based strategy to get students to use their cameras without requiring it

By Eliza.Compton, 15 June, 2023

You wake up in a locked room… Using digital escape rooms to promote student engagement

Illustration of man in keyhole-shaped light from hole in wall, escape concept

Game-based learning can unlock students’ motivation to learn and develop skills such as critical-thinking, teamwork and problem-solving, as Steven Montagu-Cairns explains

Reading time

5minutes

By Miranda Prynne, 19 December, 2022

Boost learning with online student discussion forums

Image showing icons linked to online messaging and social platforms

How to scaffold class online discussion forums to ensure participation from all students and maximise the benefits to learning

Reading time

3minutes

By miranda.prynne, 15 March, 2021

Get serious about humour in your online classroom

Advice on incorporating humour into your online teaching to keep students engaged

Humour can be a great way to grab and hold students’ attention. Abha Ahuja and Trang Nguyen outline ways to introduce more laughter into online classes

Reading time

3minutes

By miranda.prynne, 17 November, 2020

Making online content relevant and fun for Gen Z students

Make online teaching content relevant and fun for Gen Z students

Relating your online teaching content to real-world interests and issues affecting your students is a great way to win and keep their attention. Tina Joshi explains how she does this

By miranda.prynne, 17 November, 2020

Top online teaching tip: ask your students questions

Asking remote students questions in online classes

Asking students questions during online classes provides insight into what they understand and where they need support. David Martin explains how to do this effectively when teaching remotely

By miranda.prynne, 25 February, 2021

Well-being pedagogies: activities and practices to improve the student experience online

Wellbeing pedagogies to boost the student experience online

With many concerned about the mental health effects of learning remotely, Elena Riva shares helpful practices that can boost student well-being in the online teaching and learning environment

Reading time

3minutes

By miranda.prynne, 21 January, 2021

I spy what’s in the prof’s study: lessons from students in online learning

Student feedback is crucial to improving remote teaching. Here, Roger Austin shares key lessons for effective online course delivery based on a survey of his students

Reading time

4minutes

By miranda.prynne, 17 November, 2020

Make virtual learning fun: using ‘break in’ rooms in online teaching

Creating fun, game-like activities as part of your online classes can aid learning, student engagement and collaboration. Shonagh Douglas explains how she has used ‘break-in rooms’ as an effective induction for remote students

By miranda.prynne, 18 November, 2020

Take your online teaching outside

Encourage students to take their online learning outside

Being outdoors can offer students and teachers dozens of benefits, from improved learning outcomes to better mental health. Aimée Little talks about taking online classes outside

By miranda.prynne, 25 January, 2021

Experiment, test, refine: work with students to shape online courses

Gather student feedback throughout your online course to test and refine teaching methods

If you want to improve teaching, speak to the learners, explains Pat Tissington, who advocates using student feedback to continually experiment and adjust your online instruction methods throughout the course

Reading time

3minutes

By miranda.prynne, 11 January, 2021

Do unto students as they would have done to them

Practical advice on building equitable communities when teaching online

Maha Bali offers practical advice on building equitable learning communities online no matter what students’ bandwidth or synchronicity of the class

Reading time

3minutes

By miranda.prynne, 10 March, 2021

How to re-energise your online classroom and inspire creativity

Advice on how to spark remote students' creativity through innovative online teaching assignments

Sparking creativity among students learning remotely via a screen can be challenging, so Constanza Pacher offers advice for shaking up ideas via online media

Reading time

4minutes

By miranda.prynne, 5 November, 2020

How to build outstanding pedagogy for teaching via Zoom

How to build outstanding pedagogy for zoom teaching

Too many educators still view online as a second-rate form of teaching, but it does not have to be. In this video, Stephen Hersh offers advice on how to offer first-class teaching via Zoom

Reading time

3minutes

By Laura.Duckett, 3 April, 2024

Using telepresence to enrich learning

Implementing cutting-edge technology enriches the learning experiences and prepares students for an increasingly interconnected and diverse world

Reading time

4minutes