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5 strategies to ensure engagement in an online course

5 strategies to ensure engagement in an online course
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Teaching an online class is unlike any classroom, especially for a subscription model video business. You have to provide maximum value in every session. You have limited time to pique the interest of the user and keep them coming back for more.  The key to growing the audience often comes down to a single word - engagement. What does this mean in our context? It is about learner engagement, involving them at every phase of the training cycle, and making your learners active stakeholders in their own learning.

Students can easily become busy and have trouble keeping up with the course. Here are 5 strategies to continually engage your students.

Table of Contents:

1. Preparing the students before the session starts

2. The first five minutes

3. Make each session count

4. Bit size learning

5. Build a learning community

1. Preparing the students before the session starts

Create a sense of excitement about their learning experience.

Give them an introduction of the course and address the teething problems of online learning.
Set the agenda and share the expected results at the beginning of every session.
Share relevant materials for them to be ready for the session.

2. The first five minutes

A good first impression sets the tone for the whole session and course.

Connect with the students. Start with a lead-in story, everyone loves a good story.
Tell them what they will be able to do and not just pass on information about the session.
Provide tips on navigating through the course – managing time, setting goals, and planning and prioritizing work

3. Make each session count

Once you have set the stage, kick it up a notch.

Present clear and organized coursework.
Have a checklist for each session to help students know what they have covered and what is left.
Think of ways to keep it interactive and have them participate in a quiz or poll.
Give time for students to absorb what you are teaching.
Set the stage for the next session.

4. Bite-size learning

It is said the average attention span of an individual is about 10 minutes and after that it starts to wane.

Deliver your course content in small chunks than as on one large 7 course meal.
Monitor progress. Get your students to act on what they have learnt thereby increasing retention.
Ask open ended questions that require higher level of engagement. Or questions relating to the course material.

5. Build a learning community

Research has shown that more students are likely to finish the course if they do it together in a community.

End of the session is not the end of learning on the topic. Give them homework, suggest related reading material.
Encourage them to connect with other students. Push for interaction on social media.
See how you can collect feedback and use it to make changes to the way you deliver your sessions.
Consider how you can incentivize finishing assessment work.

In a nutshell, it is certainly possible to get students invested in their learning process. By following these strategies and sincerely striving to deliver a course par excellence, you can be successful in increasing your student engagement and satisfaction.

If you are looking for a platform to start an online training course or need assistance with choosing subscription models for your training video content, get in touch with us at  info@ventunotech.com.

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