The growth of online learning is rapidly increasing. Modern teachers are trying their best to adapt to the changes that are happing around the globe. There are many instructional methods available to use in the online learning environment. Nonetheless, choosing instructional strategies must focus on meaningful and engaging learning, methods that can amplify the learning objects.
One fundamental question to reflect on before selecting online instructional strategies – Who are my learners, what are their learning styles? It is integral to emphasize on the different learning styles. Online teachers should design activities that accommodate multiple modes of learning. Below are few instructional strategies for you to explore –
Online instructional strategies to use in a virtual setup
Emphasize Collaborative Learning
Collaboration is the key to develop leadership within students. Navigating online education requires peer interaction. In this, students get to work with each other as a team. Sharing and exchanging their knowledge in a goal-directed objective set by the teacher.
Interaction-based learning improves engagement through individualistic and group effort. It helps to promote interpersonal competency, self-esteem and creates a healthy learning environment. Also, enhances the cognitive functioning within students via problem-solving skill, conflict resolution.
Elemental Use of Lecture
Lecture is a must-have strategy for both online and in-class learning environments. The teacher shares his/her expertise on the subject knowledge. In the online setting, lectures can be assisted with the right tools to maximize students’ engagement. Virtual instruction in the form of lectures lays the foundation for students to follow through with the subject.
Presenting lectures through webinars, pre-recorded videos and PPT are few common ways to do this. Details to keep in mind –
- Lectures should be short, to the point, and must consist of breaks to sustain the attention span.
- Make supportive learning materials available for students. Share the link of the resources or website material with the learners.
- Make the video lectures available so they can revisit whenever needed.
Apart from all of these, teaching online with lectures also can be best supported with other instructional strategies such as discussion, collaborative hands-on activities, peer talk, etc.
Group Discussion for Active Engagement
The major difference between a physical classroom and an online classroom is that the online educator does not have control over the environment. Learners’ engagement needs to prioritize with active engagement. Discussion encourages more direct participation. Facilitating group discussion involves interaction, critical thinking, real-time talk, brainstorming, etc.
Whether used in conjunction with the lecture or not, group discussion is supportive with various other online instructional strategies also. Through active discussion, learners get the opportunity to ask a direct question and communicate and share their ideas with the class.
Project-based Learning
Project-based learning can be facilitated individually as well as in teams. Learning through projects helps students to gain practical knowledge. For example, group projects can be assisted with case studies and simulations. Whether it is an individual or group project, students are enabled with in-depth study on the subject material.
Using project learning activities helps to expose students to real-time learning. It is more relevant for the students in hands-on learning –where research can be included. Project-based learning also has the scope for participants to exposing them to diversified viewpoints via receiving constructive feedback from peers.
Utilize Self-paced Learning
Self-paced learning or self-directed learning is an independent approach to virtual instruction. When the teacher can help learners to be proactive in their learning process, major shifts can happen. Not to mention in an online learning environment teacher’s presence works more as a guide. Utilizing self-directed learning would be an elevation of facilitator-ship.
All the inconveniences that can arise with online learning can be eliminated with self-paced learning. Students get to choose their appropriate time to access the learning materials. This enables learners to be more purposeful towards the subject matter.
Conclusion
The key to success in online teaching is through the innovative use of technology. Rethinking what you use to practice in the physical classroom and redefining it to make it fit for the online class is essential. Starting from what content are you using, which tools you are implementing, it all counts.
Most of all, learners' inclusion needs to be the priority. Careful integration of quality engagement with suitable instructional strategy can stimulate learning in the right direction.
Written By : Angira Mitra
