Creating Engaging and Motivating Learning Environments

Survey Link: https://forms.gle/ehzBzJxih7UMC6on9

I really enjoyed doing this survey, not just because it was an interesting assignment but

because I wanted to take the responses to apply to my future classroom. I focused my questions

more on the online aspect of school as that is what many students and teachers are having to

work with, however, the responses I received can be used with an in-person model as well.

One of the most important aspects of teaching is having open communication with both

students and parents. “Effective communication promotes an effective learning environment,

whether face-to-face or online, and is arguably the most important (as well as most frequent)

activity online instructors engage in” (Teacher Guide to Online Learning, 2017). As I was

reading through the responses to the question “What can I do to help you when you are

stressed/overwhelmed? Please let me know what supports I can provide.” most of the answers

received had some request for communication regarding assignments and due dates. This is

important to both in-person and online classes as communication helps students know your

expectations regarding what is due and when. By making these expectations clear students will

be able to be engaged in their learning, not falling behind because assignments or lectures have

been missed.

Another aspect of teaching, especially in an online class is keeping a student-centered

learning environment. “I would like to see teachers prioritize student-centered learning by

developing online communities and designing lessons that leverage technology tools and

instructional models that actively engage students in each part of the learning process” (Tucker).

Keeping engagement in an online model is difficult. As a student, I found that when I was able to

pick the topic I was learning about I was more willing to put the time and effort in and was more
engaged in my learning. Within my would prefer to pick the historical topics they learned about

and the majority said yes. By allowing students to make suggestions on what they learn they are

more likely to be engaged in their learning.

Survey Link: https://forms.gle/ehzBzJxih7UMC6on9

References

Teacher Guide to Online Learning. (2017). Michigan Virtual, 1.

Tucker, C. R. (n.d.). Successfully Taking Offline Classes Online. Retrieved September 20, 2020,

from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-

leadership/summer20/vol77/num10/Successfully-Taking-Offline-Classes-Online.aspx