Promoting Learner Engagement in Online Courses

Category: Centre for Professional and Part-time Learning

We recently hosted a PPL webinar on the topic of promoting learner engagement. The conversation focused on how the promotion of learner engagement requires a combination of effective teaching strategies and use of technology tools.

Two examples of technology tools that you can leverage in your teaching immediately are Zoom and D2L Brightspace Intelligent Agents. By using tools like these, you can create an engaging online learning environment that fosters a deeper understanding of content, provides more personalized feedback, and promotes a sense of connectedness as well as active student participation.

Zoom

As a Durham College employee, you have your own personal Zoom room. To access Zoom, enter your Banner ID and password in this login screen. Zoom can be used to support your teaching in multiple ways. For example:

  • Recording yourself or screen when answering student questions, explaining difficult concepts or providing feedback. These videos can then be posted in the course shell, often in the news/announcements section.
  • Offering optional live welcome/introductory sessions for your course. Be sure to create an announcement for your course informing students that it will be recorded for those who cannot attend (most PPL online courses are asynchronous after all). Post the video in a future announcement or email to the class.

Integrating more video elements into your course(s) helps bring you “to life” for students. For more support on the use of Zoom, visit CTL’s resource: https://durhamcollege.ca/ctl/educational-tech/zoom/

Intelligent Agents

D2L Intelligent Agents are algorithms that automate routine tasks, such as sending reminders or notifications to students, based on specific criteria. You can use these agents to send personalized messages to students when they complete assignments or quizzes, or perhaps, when they have not logged in for an extended duration. These customized messages can help keep students connected, engaged and motivated throughout the course.

Intelligent Agents are accessed through your D2L course shell. Select “Course Admin (or Edit Course)” from the main menu – scroll down to the communication section and select “Intelligent Agents”.

There are a variety of uses and set-ups for automatic reminders and messages – feel free to explore. We suggest that facilitators use this tool sparingly at first. This will give you an opportunity to gauge learner response and adjust your settings if need be.

For more information about integrating Intelligent Agents into your teaching practice, visit: https://durhamcollege.ca/ctl/educational-tech/dc-connect/dc-connect-support/#intelligent-agents

If you have questions or and would like to discuss integration of these tools further, please do not hesitate to reach out to Tully.Privett@durhamcollege.ca or Lori.Buscher@durhamcollege.ca. Learner engagement is essential for student success in online courses and we look forward to working with you to enhance teaching and learning experiences!