[BLANK_AUDIO] Student engagement in any online activity is critical for it's success. >> A strong motivation for students to take part in online learing usually comes from a combination of several interrelated factors. Curriculum design, the structure of activities, the relevance of chosen technology, and effective time management. >> Your own engagement with the online elements of your class can also have a great impact on how students respond. Why would they be engaged, if you're not. >> It pays to lead by example. Using online technologies in the way that you're asking your students to use them. >> They do notice, when you're absent from the online space, and this can have a demotivating effect. >> It's important to develop an understanding of how you can build initial student engagement with online activities, and how to maintain their motivation throughout the class. >> Above all, ensure that any online activity, you are asking your students to engage with, is relevant, meaningful and an integral part of their learning process. >> Students are busy people too. If an online activity is not directly supporting an assessment task, or the students can't see any useful purpose, they usually won't do it. >> Make sure that any online activities are constructively aligned to your class learning outcomes and assessments. >> Before you begin any online component of your class, think about the following methods of building and sustaining student engagement. Clearly tell your students what you want them to do from the outset. They may not have studied online before or know what to expect. A participation rubric describing different types of participation may really be useful here. Tell them how often you'll be online yourself and what type of feedback and support they can expect from you along the way. Explain why you're asking your students to use online technology. What are the benefits and how will it help them achieve the learning outcomes. This gives students confidence that what they're doing is worthwhile and relevant. Don't dominate online discussions or activities. Act more like a facilitator or guide, allowing space for students to learn from each other. And this can help also reduce your own workload. Students can be greatly motivated when their teacher acknowledges their contributions in the online space. It shows them that you're watching and genuinely interested in what they're doing. Timely feedback for online assessments or activities, either from yourself or peers, helps your students feel secure about the direction and purpose of their learning. Providing adequate resources, support, and properly answering questions about technical issues can help your students overcome any difficulties quickly. And if students are not participating in online activities, contact them privately to discuss the issue, offer support, and remind them about what you expect, rather than naming and shaming. >> Learning online has the potential to be an isolating experience if the class is not prepared and facilitated correctly. The development of an online learning community however, can help make the experience more rewarding and inclusive. >> In an online community, students can support each other, share knowledge, reflect on their learning with their peers between classes. Even an informal online meeting space can encourage more interactive learning. >> It can also be a place where students can socialize, which can improve engagement, and build the trust necessary for effective collaboration. >> We've talked about some of the key considerations surrounding student engagement, and motivation in online learning activities in this video. >> However, every situation is different, and you need to think carefully about what strategies may be right for your own teaching context. >> Within the course materials, you'll find many different examples of how teachers have approached this challenge. >> We recommend that you spend some time reviewing these learning and from their experiences. [BLANK_AUDIO]