Technology has brought major reforms to every sector in the world. Education in particular has benefitted from the introduction of electronic learning. E-learning refers to the transmission of educational content through an electronic device with an internet connection.
E-learning has introduced many new possibilities to the educational sphere. It has allowed students to attain knowledge without having to visit a physical classroom. Hence, it has paved the way for remote learning.
However, online learning critics often complain that remote learning is ineffective. They assert that students cannot remain engaged in their education if they are not sitting in a physical classroom. Thus, they claim that remote learning is not a good option.
The fact that remote learning provides a great degree of flexibility and convenience to students negates this critique. Moreover, many students who do not have access to physical schools greatly benefit from remote learning. Keeping these benefits in mind, there are steps that can be taken to ensure students remain engaged.
Here are some ways to keep students engaged in online learning:
Firstly, online education should be given the same importance as traditional education. This means having scheduled study times for remote learning. This way, students will get into the habit of learning online. Hence, they will learn to stay engaged during their study time. This will also give a sense of discipline to the learning and exam preparation process.
The average attention span lasts for approximately 30 minutes. Therefore, expecting students to sit in front of their e-learning materials for longer than this will cause them to lose focus. Hence, the best way to keep students engaged is to provide small breaks in between. For example, they can study for 40 minutes and take a 5-minute break. Then they can solve some past papers and take another small break. This will refresh their mind and renew their attention for each session.
E-learning has introduced another great educational innovation, gamification. This refers to the incorporation of game-like elements into the learning process. This breaks the monotony of studying and helps students stay engaged. Easy ways to introduce gamification into online remote learning is by providing quick trivia quizzes, points systems for completing past papers on time, and rewards for completing a new chapter.
Distractions are everywhere, in traditional schools and online learning. Hence, it is important for students to stay away from distractions while they are studying. Having a separate, peaceful study environment for remote learning can be helpful. Furthermore, placing blockers on distracting websites can also help students remain engaged and focused while they study online.
These simple steps can help students remain more engaged while they study remotely with e-learning. It will also improve the productivity of their study sessions and help them learn more effectively. Hence, it will allow them to take full advantage of the many benefits that remote learning and online education can provide.
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