Active Engagement In Live Web-based Teaching Sessions

Jowallah (2015) suggests there are significant benefits for hosting online synchronous sessions. Some of these benefits include enhanced student interaction, structured learning engagement for students, increased learner motivation, and improved rapport between teachers and students. COVID-19 has required many learning institutions to move towards the synchronous mode of teaching immediately. However, to complete the mission, instructors should first create a climate for learners to actively assume responsibility in the virtual space. Furthermore, it is also necessary to implement various strategies that go beyond the traditional classroom setting that enable effective online learning interactions. This article examines the specific ways in which instructors can extend a human touch in asynchronous online spaces and provides a template for designing an online synchronous (live) session with students. 

First, the instructors who teach face-to-face courses should be provided with the necessary guidance and assistance to convert their courses to an online format. These consultations would provide an opportunity for instructors to improve the learning experience for students as well as enhance the quality of their courses. Therefore, it will be essential that a high-quality, informative faculty development program is created. Central to this staff development initiative should be effective practices for synchronous engagement.

Effective synchronous engagement requires communication and planning. Norman (2017) suggests that communicating with students is essential. For example, instructors should inform students of materials they will need to review and what they should expect in the synchronous session. Norman also suggests that instructors should solicit questions from students to stimulate the synchronous session and encourage students to keep their cameras on. Norman believes that seeing students' faces helps with social connections and accountability in the session. It is also essential to break the silence in the learning environment by being social and doing a check-in at the start of the session. Furthermore, instructors must be knowledgeable of the affordances of the synchronous tool that they will use. For example, is the selected tool able to offer breakout rooms for an interactive group session?

Zoom, Skype, and other video sharing tools are rapidly becoming integral tools for improving educational outcomes and social engagement. Therefore, instructors could use this mode of face-to-face interactions to humanize their online sessions. Humanizing the synchronous session will be influenced by instructors demonstrating an awareness of their students' needs, showing empathy, and being present.

For an interactive session, the teacher should be aware of the learning needs of all students. Therefore, applying the principles of the Universal Design of Learning (UDL) should also be a central element for any synchronous session. The UDL framework offers the opportunity to meet the needs of all learners, thus maximizing engagement. Well-planned synchronous sessions will lead to enhance interaction with the instructor and students. Instructors should also be aware that video may not be accessible for some students; therefore, some level of differentiation may be required.

Please download a copy of the framework here.