June 30, 2025
First impressions matter, even in digital spaces! Whether you’re teaching asynchronously, synchronously, or somewhere in between, the start of the semester is your chance to set the tone for a connected, inclusive, and engaged classroom. And yes—it is possible to break the ice digitally. Here are a few digital icebreakers that actually work in online courses (and don’t make […]
June 23, 2025
Summer isn’t just a time to recharge—it’s also the perfect window to refresh your teaching toolkit! With fewer immediate deadlines and a lighter student load, the summertime offers a low-stress opportunity to explore new tools, experiment with course design strategies, and revisit ideas that were too ambitious to tackle mid-semester. Not sure where to start? Here […]
May 19, 2025
Short-term summer courses present a unique challenge: how can instructors build meaningful student engagement in such a compressed timeframe? In a traditional 15-week semester, there is time for community to develop organically. In short term courses, such as 3-week online Maymesters, engagement must be intentional, structured, and embedded from day one. Here are three evidence-informed […]
March 7, 2025
On March 5th, Digital Learning Strategist Millie Tullis led an informative presentation on how to increase student-instructor engagement in online class settings. The presentation provided an in-depth explanation of various strategies instructors can adopt to increase the effectiveness of their office hour sessions, as well as additional methods educators can utilize to connect more personally […]
February 25, 2025
Synchronous online course sessions can easily turn into passive experiences, leading to “Zoom fatigue” and disengaged students. But with the right strategies, virtual classrooms can become interactive, engaging, and effective. Here are five simple ways to improve student participation in synchronous online courses: 1. Start with an Icebreaker Kick off your session with a quick activity to […]
September 27, 2024
Gamification incorporates game design principles into educational settings to enhance engagement.
