Online Teaching Needs Ongoing Student Engagement

The online educator uses many techniques to engage and motivate students to create a classroom community. The virtual teacher creates positive experiences and interactions that propel the student forward educationally and socially. The professor builds a relationship using interpersonal interactions with email, video, or the school website. Personal outreach inspires the student to want to participate. The teacher is an ally, helping the student be successful. Effective feedback, whether in discussion board, seminar, or assignments, must be specific, culturally sensitive, and respectful, using a variety of techniques to bring students out of isolation to build the classroom community. Student engagement should be continuous and motivating. The teacher encourages and assists, working on student success and persistence. The instructor creates a community of learners, who participate in a social interchange, that helps them solidify the information and reach curriculum and classroom goals.