COVID-19 has taken its toll on people around the world and yet many would argue that students are being hit the hardest. Through Zoom calls and staring at one’s computer screen for eight hours straight, it can be increasingly difficult for students to remain engaged throughout their classes. In a recent WINGSPAN poll, student respondents indicated they enjoyed those Zoom sessions most where the teachers had high levels of interactions with students, including conversation, games, and tutoring. Poll results may be viewed here.
Students and teachers alike are doing their best to maintain their engagement throughout their classes, especially when taking part online through zoom calls. While students must work to the best of their abilities throughout the school day, it is also significantly important for teachers to understand how they can keep their students engaged.
“Similar to in-person learning, engagement is heavily influenced by the teacher. If a teacher is passionate and fun then the class can be fun and engaging, but if I am being taught by a YouTube video each class, it can be difficult to stay awake,” junior Jason Mcdowell said.
In a poll, asking students their thoughts of how teachers can keep their students engaged in online learning, 33.3% of students think teachers should “include practice questions to work on step-by-step in class that is similar to assignments/homework.” Oftentimes, students may not completely understand the work they are to do until they are unable to ask. As a result, students believe teachers should engage with their students through practice problems and examples to ensure they understand.
“I think a lot of students would benefit from Zooms if they weren’t just boring lectures,” junior Angelica Delgado said.
Continuing on, 22.2% of students would like more “short polls or Google Forms” after Zooms for teachers to know how well students are understanding. These results are important as they allow teachers to go over what students are confused about for the next class. This further helps students because oftentimes when a student understands a topic more clearly, they engage more.
“I would dedicate days where I check in with my students. Just to see how they are doing, how they are handling stress. I feel if teachers were more comprehensive of what their students are going through, they would not have the issue of missing assignments,” Mcdowell said when asked what he would do if he were a teacher.
Another 22.2% of the recipients believed that teachers should as well “segment lectures and class time into shorter sequences.” These shorter sequences may include pauses in Zoom lectures, asking questions between, summarizing key points, etc.
“Breaks would be nice to have during classes. Sometimes online learning can feel like learning through a fire hose. There is so much material that you must learn solely by yourself. If there was a break it could alleviate that stress.” Mcdowell said.
11.1% of students continued on to say that they would like to “include more independent learning for students to work on assignments alone.” There continues to be a variety of students, however, who sit between this statistic and claim that they would much prefer teacher-to-student and student-to-student interaction.
“Part of what made school — before the pandemic — so fun is the people you’re surrounded by. Personally, I find classes that I can talk to other people in more enjoyable than the classes where we just join the Zoom and watch the teacher talk,” Delgado said.
As for the final response, 11.1% of recipients wanted a “fun game at the beginning or end of the Zoom.” Being stuck in one’s house for hours at a time while completing schoolwork can be draining for many, therefore, something to engage the students with at the beginning or end of the class is a simple way for students to have something more to look forward to.
“I’m so used to going to school and then resting at home, my mind still can’t process that home is school now,” Delgado continued.