Everyone tilting towards online learning but how do we maintain interactivity?

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Written by Adebayo Adekola

I have been thinking lately about how to maintain interactivity in online learning. Is it in the course design or in the facilitation or both? How should we maintain interaction when we are miles away from the participant. Yes we all leverage on the fact that we are in the global village and everyone seem to be computer savvy. This brings me to the next question: what do we do to inactive participants too? I sure have many questions.

Experts have mentioned that the use of interactive learning methods like videos, voice, quizzes, games, discussion forum e.t.c. can be very helpful.  I recently learnt that we also need to pay attention to language; so how does language facilitate interaction? Here are 5 tips:

  1. Be personal in your communication. You are talking with humans. Note the word with not at. We often make the mistake to talk at people rather than with them. Communication is 2-way.
  2. If a mail is sent, always reply.When the mail is not replied, participants assume that they are only dealing with a software and there goes the motivation to learn.
  3. Always portray that you are colleagues rather than some higher figure dishing out orders. Nothing develops friendship than simple humility in conversation.
  4. Provide a forum to discuss other matters; more or less a chat room. Peer to peer learning can greatly improve interaction among participants
  5. Nothing motivates knowing that you can contribute to something. Participants will keep coming online when they know that they are part of the family of learners and can make meaningful contributions.
Interaction starts with the facilitator and he or she must drive it. I'm still learning too so I'm sure more tips will be available in the coming weeks............

Thanks for reading; the post of an ever-learning professional.



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