Online Education is the ultimate road to possibilities. It has limitless opportunities with no strings attached to it. All we need is to learn how to bridge the online peers together.
The lack of a physical classroom environment can sometimes cause a disconnect and isolation between you and your online classmates. But worry not, we have got you covered through some of the ways on how to to bridge the gap of online detachment.
1. Let’s Chat!: Creating Spaces for Connection
Open a communication channel to help yourself and your classmates have a platform to talk about the work, projects, and personal conversations. Creating an online inclusive platform is easy and free! You can have an open conversation here. This will also help talk about different discussions, virtual reading discussions, and instruction clarifications, thereby encouraging active participation and creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be a part of the group.
Examples and Resources
- You can use online discussion forums or chat platforms like Discord or Slack.
- You can also create virtual coffee breaks or lunchtime meetups.
- Zoom or Google can be the ideal platform to have study sessions or group discussions.
2. Learn Together and Learn From Each Other: The Dream Team
Working together with your classmates could be a lifelong memory! Collaborative environments keep us motivated and highly spirited -the reason why you need to create an environment with more collaboration and exploration of each other’s opinions. You can engage in group projects, peer feedback sessions, and joint assignments. This will not only help you to understand your topics and subjects better, but can also help your virtual classmates to discover more about their subjects. And this could be done by better connectivity. One of the ways to incorporate work collaboration is through participating in projects, assignments and group discussions. Additionally, it can create an environment where you can learn from one another’s experiences and expertise, which can expand your knowledge. This could be an unofficial group connect activity platform.
Example and Resources:
- You can divide tasks among group members to research different aspects of a topic and then collaborate to compile the findings into a comprehensive report or presentation.
- You can also provide constructive feedback to your classmates on their work and receive valuable insights on your own assignments. This exchange of feedback can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your academic journey.
- You can use online platforms like Google Docs, Microsoft Teams, or Trello to collaborate in real time, share documents, and coordinate group activities.
3. Study Stadium!: Virtual Success Mantra
Rather than just one platform for all the academic work, you can create multiple. Encourage the students among you to create virtual groups to discuss the course materials, and the learning resources, and to review the concepts keeping everyone in the loop. This can also create inclusivity for students who have missed a few classes or topics. It can create a guiding session for anyone who wants to join. This will structure the coursework for the classmates and promote active learning. Sometimes students may hesitate to express their doubt or confusion regarding a topic. Virtual groups can help them ask without the fear of judgment.
- Create virtual groups that support different ideas. It will make everyone in the class feel belong. It can also help them discuss their common interests, course subjects, and confusion.
- Provide dedicated online spaces where students can schedule study sessions, share resources, and discuss challenging topics.
- Encourage peer tutoring and mentoring within study groups to promote academic support and knowledge sharing.
4. Laughs, Camera, Attention!: Interactive Media Marvels
Exciting news! Online platforms can be more than just about boring PDF files and books. You can use different forms of media to get everyone’s attention. Not one shoe fits all, right? So, try to incorporate varied interactive methods. It will make the students feel excited and motivated to look forward to classes. You can include videos, podcasts, and infographics in the course materials.
Comedy improves long-term memory and goal-oriented motivation by triggering the dopamine reward pathway in the brain. You can also invite a stand-up comedian who knows about the subject. It could be a funny and interactive session with the comedian. What’s better than a burst of laughter and learning?
- Feature different online platforms, more than just course-focused materials and PDFs incorporate funny videos, fun explanations, and podcasts.
- Invite educational leaders or performers. You can also seek help from different platforms for resources like TED-Ex, Khan Academy, or Coursera.
- Motivate students to submit their work through different forms of media, podcasts, videos, and voicemails for projects and assignments.
5. Mentorship Matters: From Beginners to Experts
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin
Online classes are more than just about learning book/course lessons. It is about creating the appropriate listening space and guidance for students. Not everyone can learn through one way or one teacher. The ultimate goal to conduct online classes must be to create a space where every student feels included and familiar. You can do it through guidance and personal mentoring. Peer mentoring programs pair experienced students with newcomers to provide guidance, support, and encouragement. Assign mentors to incoming students or create mentorship circles where students can ask for advice, share experiences, and receive feedback. It would make them feel included. Peer mentors can offer valuable insights, tips, and strategies for navigating the online learning environment successfully.
- Establish a peer mentoring programme where experienced students can mentor newer learners, offering guidance, advice, and support.
- Train mentors on their skills and how to create a meaningful relationship with the mentees.
- Encourage open-ended mentorship activities for mentors and mentees, where mentees can also contribute their knowledge and skills to mentorship activities.
6. Game Nights and Parties: Worlds of Virtual Hangouts
Create opportunities for students to connect outside of academic settings through virtual social events. Organise online meetups or themed discussion groups where students can socialise, network, and build relationships. You can keep movie-based themes or web-series-based theme hangouts online. Make it fun and open-ended for participation. You can also ask students to dress up or prepare a piece of skit to perform. There can be icebreaker activities, games, and challenges to facilitate interaction and foster a sense of belonging.
- Organise virtual fun theme nights. Organise game nights, movie screenings, or themed parties to make the statement that education is more than just knowledge.
- Create online clubs or interest groups based on hobbies, sports, or cultural activities where students can meet like-minded peers.
- Encourage participation in online community events hosted by the institution or student organisations to promote networking and socialisation.
7. Feedback Fun: Support and Feedback Fiesta
Feedback is a valuable act. As a mentor, feedback means a lot to everyone. Deliver constructive feedback, which can contain both critical and positive aspects. Feedback does not have to be too formal or mainstream. Try to deliver feedback based on the individual you are interacting with. If you think they can benefit from critical feedback, provide them one, and if you consider more positive and encouraging feedback can help students do better, give the same. Be responsive to inquiries, provide timely assistance, and offer personalised feedback on assignments and assessments. Send motivational or fun advice or quotes from a student, favourite leader, or expert. Establish clear expectations and guidelines for communication, participation, and academic performance, and regularly check in with students to assess their progress and well-being. Remember, you cannot expect the students to be perfect. Guide them through their imperfections.
- Provide clear instructions and feedback to students.
- Provide regular opportunities for formative feedback through online quizzes, polls, and peer evaluations to enhance learning outcomes.
- Celebrate student achievements and milestones with virtual awards ceremonies, recognition programmes, and shout-outs in online forums or newsletters.
Takeaway
As we grow through education and learning, creating a sense of belonging, motivation, and fun is an integral part. Education is more than just coursework, assignments, and books. Online education is the perfect platform to improve, improvise, and initiate better versions individually. By creating a space where there’s constructive feedback, guidance, support and humour, we can motivate thousands of students every day. It will bridge the distance between online communities. By little steps every day, we can conquer virtual separation. One step at a time!