5 Top Education Expert Insight On Improving Online Learning Experience

Tip 1. Setup Your Recording Studio For Engagement

World-renowned TEDx and Keynote speaker Denise Thomas, the CEO of Get Ahead of the Class and host of the Debt-Free Degree Podcast an expert in putting kids through college debt-free has a few pieces of advice on creating interactive learning experiences for students with a proper setup for your lessons.

• Eyes on Camera: Find the camera. Newbie or not, I see many online instructors looking at students on the screen or their notes rather than at the camera. The camera is where you make your connection with the audience.
• Camera Positioning: Position yourself as you would a “headshot” photo. From mid torso to the top of your head, there should be space above your head in the screen.
• Good Audio: HIGH quality audio is much more important than your video if you have to choose based on finances.
• Good Lighting: Your face should be well lit from all sides, no shadows on your face. If the background behind you blends in with your hair or skin tone, use another light to up light between you and the background.
• Background: Forbes did a study that showed that the blur background leaves the audience feeling that you are not trustworthy. Don’t use it.

She also has important pieces of advice on your room setting, “Keep your background simple (desk, bookcase, plant) so the focus is on you, not the wall of butterfly’s coming out of your head.”

And lastly, this advice that will probably shock quite a few professionals, “don’t use the green screen images without an actual green screen. It’s rare for anyone to use it correctly without your hands, hair, or face disappearing.”

I think that is pretty comprehensive advice for all new and not-so-new course creators looking to create video recordings for their online lessons or live-stream online classes.

Denise Thomas

CEO | TEDx Speaker & Keynote Speaker | Cracking the Code to Free College | Debt-Free Degree Podcast | Get Ahead of the Class

Tip 2. Be Approachable, Talk To Your Student Like a Friend

With over 12 years of experience teaching at The Ohio State University, including online modules, Dr. Jena Pugh has some powerful insights on helping you connect with your students.

Building rapport online is possible if you know how to take the steps required to establish the connection.

She noted, “As a first-time online educator, one effective strategy is to approach teaching as if it’s a conversation with your best friend. Having a friendly, relaxed attitude makes you more relatable and creates a welcoming atmosphere where students are excited to learn.”

She further explains “Imagine explaining a new concept to your best friend – you’re likely to use humor and personal stories that make the material engaging and memorable. And with friends, there’s always an unspoken “no stupid questions” policy. When students feel like they can ask you anything, you can quickly identify holes in your approach and adapt your teaching in real-time.”

And there is no secret why you tend to feel more connected with some educators and feel more distant from other instructors.

One powerful idea I get from her advice is,

And she goes on further on how to achieve it, “To get in the friend zone while teaching online, put a reminder of your best friend – like their name or picture – near your screen. The visual cue will help you to focus on the camera for eye contact, smile for warmth, and encourage engagement from students who will now feel included in their learning process.”

Pretty impressive right?

Now it is your turn to “make some friends.“

Dr. Jena Pugh

Professor in The Ohio State University | Graduate School Strategist | Founder

Tip 3. Increase Engagement By Including Multiple Check for Understanding

As the head of training and learning at Wayfinder, Quinae Jackson is the one of the top experts in engaging meaningful learning solutions for educators that center Social and Emotional Learning.

She noted, “teaching online requires engagement and intentional outcomes. It’s important to note that these factors, while enhanced by the participants, should be present even if they choose not to actively engage.”

And to achieve a high level of engagement, here’s what you’ll need to do, “course creators should include multiple checks for understanding that create space for participants to engage with others outside of text on a discussion board; pictures and voice notes are fun ways to promote participation.”

She also suggests that to improve the engagement of your course, you’ll need to, “understand the expected outcome from the session allows you to be intentional in how you design the learning experience. For example, if participants need to walk away ready to re-deliver the content, providing the course materials throughout the learning is beneficial so that they can add talking points as they hear you provide. them.”

Quinae Jackson

Head of Training and Learning of Wayfinder

Tip 4. Build Your Community, Seek Feedbacks and Improve Learning Experience

From a software developer and math tutor to an edupreneur, Alexander Kolchinsky, the founder of an online tutoring company started in Silicon Valley, California thinks building a community is one of the best ways any online educator can use to create highly engaging courses that keep your student’s attention and help them reach their learning goals.

He says, “It’s easy for learners to feel disconnected, so fostering a sense of community and active participation is crucial.”

And to make a connection happen, “make yourself accessible to your students by promptly responding to their queries and providing constructive feedback on their progress. Building a supportive and responsive online presence helps establish trust and rapport with your learners, fostering a conducive learning environment.”

And of course, in any community and any great course, here is something that cannot be missed, “continuously seek feedback from your students to understand their needs and preferences better, allowing you to refine your teaching methods and course content accordingly. Remember, successful online teaching is not just about imparting knowledge but also about cultivating meaningful learning experiences for your students.”

Alexander Kolchinsky

CEO and Founder of RussianMathTutors from Silicon Valley, California, US

Tip 5. Stay Flexible, Stay Adaptable

Stay flexible and be open to change, Shenella Karunaratne, a licensed mental health therapist and director of operation of OnlineMFTPrograms suggests that online educators need to be adaptable to change as we are drawing close to the era of online learning and moving away from traditional classroom learning.

She noted, “my top tip for those who are brand new to teaching online would be to be open to changing your way of doing things in order to accommodate your students.”

Looking at the changing education industry, she also noted that, “teaching online is incredibly unique, and it’s something that many teachers don’t fully figure out for a little while. So, you do yourself and your students a disservice if you go into teaching online for the first time with a cemented plan of how you will do things, not allowing the possibility of flexibility. To handle the learning curve, you have to be able to adapt.”

Shenella Karunaratne

Director of Operations of OnlineMFTPrograms