What Students Can Do To Stay Motivated While Learning Online?

Every teacher who has traditionally taught students knows the tricks to motivate students in a face-to-face classroom: a good word of praise, a smile that encourages them, testing them at just the right time, and grouping students for friendly competition or collaboration.  

Motivating students in an online classroom especially those who are attending classes for distance learning courses is not the same as those used in a traditional classroom. Teachers need to adapt some innovative strategies so that their students are motivated to attend class. 

The top four strategies for motivating distance learning course students are mentioned below: 

1. Be actively participate in online classes 

Video recordings are used in almost every online course. Students of distance learning courses claim they have advantages watching them later. You can also watch a video more than once and review difficult topics when you are focused and not distracted by other concerns. But distance learning courses need to be interactive.  

It is important for students to ask and answer questions, as well as listen to and speak with other students. Make every effort to get every student to participate in class in the distance learning courses. 

Most conferencing platforms in distance learning courses allow students to use virtual backgrounds not available in class. This option is beneficial for students studying in their bedrooms. Students should make use of such expressions and body language because it is essential to communicate. 

2. Build social groups to engage students 

Are distance learning courses more likely to lead to dropouts than face-to-face ones? This is partly because online students do not have the same sense of commitment as those who are connected to others. When students drop face-to-face courses, they are aware that they might run into fellow students who are likely to ask, 'Why?' That doesn't happen when students drop distance learning courses. 

To solve the problem, students should be encouraged to engage in frequent pair and group activities. Encourage students to become study buddies while maintaining their privacy by giving them class-specific email addresses. 

3. Personalize assignments

A language task that asks students to reflect on their own lives motivates them and helps them learn new content. Give students language tasks in the distance learning courses that ask them to discuss their families, experiences, and food preferences.

4. Ask questions to the students

It is common for teachers or textbooks to ask students to repeat what they have said. We know, however, that language is flexible, and that there are different ways of saying the same thing.

The act of asking your English language learners to memorize information can demotivate them, especially if they are more focused on passing a test than increasing their proficiency.

Encourage your students in the distance learning courses to present their knowledge in ways they feel comfortable doing so. Recordings, speeches, plays, or any other genre could be used. The option of choosing is motivating.

5. Creating Specific Objectives and Learning Paths 

When compared to traditional classroom learning, the clarity offered by online courses is unrivalled. All students will have access to a clear course outline, learning objectives, and assessment schedule, which will allow them to prepare ahead and be better organised. This can give students a sense of greater control. As a result, they would be inspired to complete the tasks set before them and perform far better than they would in the case of chaotic learning.

6. Plan a reward. 

Everyone is deserving of some applause. Recognize your accomplishments when you finish your coursework, whether you've finished an extremely long textbook chapter or completely aced a test. Whether you decide to go for a run, stream your preferred TV show, or order takeout to celebrate, treat yourself to something you enjoy. You may maintain a positive outlook and stay motivated by taking breaks, celebrating your successes, and keeping a positive outlook.