When the majority of virtual students’ school day is spent on asynchronous learning, it is critical to capitalize on live instructional time as a place to push active engagement. During synchronous sessions, the aim should be to move students from simply participating in tasks towards investing in learning by asking questions, responding to feedback, and reflecting on their understanding. Both the challenge and opportunity are to design ways for students to engage that also provide teachers with observable cues of their learning process.
Consider the Function of Engagement
Sound instructional strategies are sound instructional strategies regardless of the learning environment; however, the design and presentation of lessons that use these strategies will be unique to the setting. A virtual learning environment necessitates the use of educational technology tools, but it is not the tools themselves that will spark engagement; instead, it is the purpose the tool is serving and how it is intentionally implemented. The Distance Learning Playbook, Grades K–12, notes that focusing on the function of edtech tools “transcend(s) the spaces in which they are enacted and serve as a foundation for thinking about the ways to engage learners.” TeachersFirst Edge reviews can help with the selection of tools that encourage active engagement. This brainstorming instrument can also be used to help evaluate the functional effectiveness of a technology tool.
Keys to Effective Live Instruction in a Virtual Setting
1. Establish Norms and Review Regularly
A classroom management plan for a virtual learning environment will differ from that in a brick-and-mortar classroom, but it is essential to develop. Fisher and Frey note that “the online learning environment should be predictable.” Student engagement will grow if students log into live sessions knowing what to expect and what is expected of them.
- When defining these expectations, include webcam, microphone, and chat procedures if there are no schoolwide policies, and plan guidelines for students’ different learning interactions.
- Consider designing graphics to display on your screen share to cue students to the expectations at any point in instruction, such as this editable Canva template.
- Consider giving students options for a virtual background if you or your school require webcam use. Find various templates on Canva (reviewed here) or Adobe Express (reviewed here). A virtual background protects students from discomfort with classmates seeing their home environment.
- Include expectations for student interaction and what the learning environment will look and sound like. Questions to consider include:
- What elements of a learning community are essential to maintain?
- What are appropriate behaviors for interacting with classmates?
- What characteristics of a learner should we cultivate?
Once established, norms must be continually modeled and reviewed. For example, when students use a new educational technology tool, it is important to model the appropriate ways to engage with it. This modeling may include showing evidence of learning, determining what resources to use and share, and respectfully responding to peers’ work.
2. Create a Welcoming Environment
Set the stage for learning when students enter the virtual session. Consider using Classroomscreen (reviewed here) in screen share to post the lesson agenda and learning intentions, share important announcements, organize links, and embed tools needed for class. Consider playing music as students arrive and settle: royalty-free music can be downloaded at Pixabay (reviewed here) or Bensound (reviewed here). Consider beginning with a social-emotional check-in or reflection on progress towards goals; as Fisher and Frey note, “social and emotional learning infused into the academic lifeblood of the class amplifies learning.” Review this OK2ASK on-demand webinar for options for SEL check-ins using Google Tools.
3. Design Tasks to Make Thinking Visible
Using technology tools that serve a specific purpose and ask students to interact with the content provides a significant opportunity for teachers to see students’ thinking and give live feedback. For example, platforms like Nearpod (reviewed here) or Pear Deck (reviewed here) allow students to respond to questions and interact with manipulatives and other drag-and-drop activities during a lesson presentation while the teacher actively monitors engagement in real time. Lessons should include tasks that encourage sense-making and require students to show evidence of their building understanding rather than just passive documentation of being in attendance in the live sessions. Consider incorporating pauses for student reflection to encourage space for self-assessment and a chance to review and respond to teacher feedback. Tasks built for active engagement prevent a live instructional session from leaning towards a webinar instead of the fluid classroom experience students need.
By prioritizing active engagement during synchronous learning, educators can transform these sessions into dynamic spaces for deep learning. This requires a thoughtful approach that balances student investment with actionable feedback for both students and teachers, ensuring that valuable instructional time is maximized.
What key elements increase the impact of your live instructional time? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments so we can learn and grow together!