Asia McGoy

EDTC 614

Navigating Challenges and Boosting Engagement in Online Learning

Engaging in online learning is more than just showing up; it's about actively participating

and being present. Think of student engagement as the magical glue that transforms online

classes from a bunch of clicks into an exciting and interactive learning experience. Yet, the

journey of online learning presents many challenges, especially in maintaining student

engagement in virtual settings. How do we keep students tuned in and excited about learning

when the world is full of tempting distractions? Given these challenges, exploring effective

solutions that can enhance student engagement during online learning is crucial. As Larry

Ferlazzo (2020) notes, “teachers need to provide assignments that are meaningful, joyful,

relevant, and dynamic”. In this paper, I will discuss the challenges students face that affect

engagement in online learning and present solutions to create an enriching online learning

environment.

Student engagement is the key to a successful learning experience in online classes. As

Christopher Pappas (2022) states, “the truth is that online learning has a lot to offer in terms of

ease of access, personalization, and creativity. But you can only enjoy all these benefits if your

students are motivated and engaged in learning”. This emphasizes student engagement's critical

role in unlocking the full potential of online learning. I can discuss three types of engagement,

which are emotional, behavioral, and cognitive. The first is emotional, where students feel

connected to the online group and interact well with teachers and classmates. The next one is

behavioral, which involves actively participating in online activities, following instructions, and
completing assignments on time. The last one is cognitive, where students are deeply involved in

online learning, staying motivated, managing themselves, and encouraging critical thinking,

understanding, and gradual learning in the virtual setting.

Students face challenges that can make engaging in online learning difficult. Challenges

students are dealing with can be stress and trauma, lack of motivation, limited technical skills,

lack of structure or support, and/or distractions. When students go through stress or trauma, it

can mess with how their brains work. It can make it difficult for them to think, learn, and handle

their emotions all at once. Plus, they might not have the proper support to address these

challenging situations. A lack of motivation can stem from various factors, such as the fast pace

of classes, difficulty understanding the content, or not feeling confident. Keeping up can be

particularly challenging for those who haven't used online platforms much and have limited

access to devices. The overwhelming feeling of falling behind may lead some students to

disengage. In addition to these challenges, the internet, while a valuable learning resource, brings

many distractions. When students become distracted by notifications from blogs, videos, and

social media, it's easy for them to start scrolling and neglect their classes or assignments.

Recognizing these challenges and proactively finding ways to support students in navigating

them is crucial for ensuring the success of online learning.

Integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) into online teaching strategies is a valuable

approach to support students in effectively managing stress and trauma. SEL focuses on

developing emotional intelligence and helping people navigate and positively manage their

emotions to prevent disengagement. Establishing open communication with families is

important. Supply parents with resources and information to help them comprehend the

emotional support options for their children, which may include suggestions for counseling
services. Regularly check in with both students and their families to ensure ongoing

communication and understanding of emotional well-being in the virtual learning environment.

In online learning, keeping students motivated is crucial to overcoming challenges. As

Christopher Pappas (2022) states, “motivation is always high in student engagement obstacle

lists, as it is one of the most common challenges educators face”. To address this, there are

effective ways to boost motivation. First, creating a time for students to express concerns and

seek guidance fosters a supportive environment. Additionally, teachers can enhance their lessons

using techniques and materials that inspire and engage students in the virtual classroom. For

instance, if students appear bored with the material or are not participating, teachers can make

lessons more interactive and less lecture-based, aligning with the contiguity principle

emphasizing the connection between learning content and engaging activities for effective

understanding. Incorporating tools like instant feedback, visual aids, the raise hand feature,

virtual whiteboards, and platforms such as Quizzizz and Blooket can add an element of

engagement, making the learning experience more enjoyable and motivating for students. These

strategies have proven successful in my teaching experience, particularly with 4th graders

participating in online learning. Even with 7th graders reluctant to turn on their cameras,

motivating strategies effectively encouraged their engagement in the lessons, especially when it

was time to play a round of Blooket.

Navigating online learning platforms can be challenging, especially for students with

limited technical skills, particularly younger ones. This challenge can divert their attention from

the actual class content. An effective solution is to provide guidance and model mini tutorials to

help them become familiar with the platform's functions and navigation. For example, creating a

short video tutorial demonstrating how to access assignments, participate in discussions, and
submit work not only equips students with essential technical skills but also boosts their

confidence. This approach assists students in building the necessary technical skills to engage

successfully in online learning.

In online learning, many students miss the structure and support they had in traditional

classrooms. Being away from the physical school environment requires students to be more

independent, which can be challenging. As highlighted by Morin (n.d.), “many students rely on

the structure and support of in-person school to help them stay on track with assignments”. A

helpful solution is to be clear about grading and missed work policies. Teachers can also find

ways to ease stress about deadlines and the workload. Demonstrating strategies, such as breaking

assignments into smaller parts, can make the work more manageable. Consider using methods

like video messages to connect with students who may have disengaged, offering support to help

them reengage in their work. This proactive approach can foster a more supportive and

structured online learning experience for students.

Teachers play a crucial role in minimizing distractions. There are helpful apps like

GoGuardian that can block and control the websites students can access. Engaging activities such

as collaborative projects, surveys, and debates can effectively capture students' attention. For

instance, incorporating a collaborative project where students create a digital presentation

together reinforces learning and keeps them focused on the task at hand. Organizing assignments

that require verbal responses can also encourage active participation, reducing the temptation to

browse social media. By implementing these solutions, both students and teachers can create a

more focused and productive online learning experience. Teachers may be unable to cut off the

many distractions students face, but we can decrease it.

 In response to recent surveys on technology use in classrooms, teachers have

implemented successful initiatives to enhance student engagement in virtual settings. One

noteworthy example is the integration of interactive and collaborative online platforms. Teachers

can use tools such as virtual whiteboards, discussion forums, and collaborative document editing

to create an engaging virtual environment. These platforms encourage students to actively

contribute to discussions, share ideas, and collaborate on projects, fostering a sense of connection

and interaction like traditional classroom settings. Positive outcomes from such initiatives

include increased student participation, improved understanding of course content, and the

development of a supportive online community.

The journey of online learning brings its unique challenges, particularly in keeping

students engaged amidst tempting distractions. These challenges include stress, trauma, lack of

motivation, technical skills, structure, support, and distractions. To overcome these hurdles,

teachers have implemented effective strategies. Integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) into

teaching addresses stress and trauma, fostering emotional intelligence and preventing

disengagement. Motivation, a common challenge, is tackled by creating a supportive

environment and using interactive teaching tools like Quizzizz and Blooket. Additionally,

guiding students through online platforms and providing structure and support help maintain

engagement. The paper emphasizes the ongoing significance of these efforts to enhance student

engagement in virtual classrooms, highlighting the positive outcomes achieved, such as

increased participation, improved academic performance, and a sense of community among

students.

In conclusion, overcoming the challenges associated with student engagement in online

learning requires a comprehensive and proactive approach. Integrating SEL, fostering motivation
through interactive teaching methods, minimizing distractions, and providing structure and

support are key elements. By implementing these solutions, teachers and students can create a

focused, productive, and enriching online learning experience.

 References

Clark, R., & Mayer, R. (2016). E-learning and the Science of Instruction (Fourth). Wiley.

de La Tour, K. (2022, April 12). How to Increase Student Engagement in Online Learning.

iSpring Solutions. https://www.ispringsolutions.com/blog/student-engagement-in-online-

learning

Ferlazzo, L. (2020, April 24). Encouraging Student Engagement in Remote Learning. Education

Week. https://www.edweek.org/education/opinion-encouraging-student-

engagement-in-remote-learning/2020/04

Hazelrigg, N. (2019, July 9). Survey: Nearly Half of Students Distracted by Technology. Inside

Higher Ed. https://www.insidehighered.com/digital-learning/article/2019/07/10/survey-

shows-nearly-half-students-distracted-technology

Morin, A. (n.d.). 5 reasons students aren't engaging in distance learning. Understood.

https://www.understood.org/en/articles/5-reasons-students-arent-engaging-in-distance-

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Pappas, C. (2022, October 23). 6 Obstacles That Stand In The Way Of Student Engagement.

eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/obstacles-that-stand-in-the-way-of-

student-engagement