Engaging Learners with New Strategies and Tools

Engaging Learners with New Strategies and Tools

I posted my graphic organizer on my wikipage at http://charlottevaughn1.wikispaces.com/

It is important as an instructor or teacher to engage all learners and encourage all learners to take responsibility for their learning. This is still a significant factor in online learning. “Students demonstrate more positive attitudes and higher levels of performance when online classes are highly interactive,” (Durrington, Berryhill &Swafford, 2006). There are several technological tools that are being used outside of the classroom such as, wikis, blogs, learning communities and discussion forums that foster communication and cooperative learning, which are essential skills in the learning process. In order for students enhance their interactivity in an online environment it is necessary for the instructor to create a supportive and open environment which will help foster trust and comfort so that students will be willing to discuss freely within the group. The instructor can also use problem-based learning which also promotes interactivity among members in a group or a class. The advantage of utilizing these technological tools in an online class is no geographical boundaries among members in a group because discussions and interactions can take place anywhere and at anytime. Overall, these technological tools and strategies promote interactivity, problem solving and actively engage all types of learners by providing students with meaningful learning experiences.


Durrington, V. A., Berryhill, A., & Swafford, J. (2006). Strategies for enhancing student interactivity in an online environment. College Teaching, 54(1), 190-193. Use the Academic Search Premier