4 Strategies to Keep Students Engaged: Cutting Edge Solutions

Studies have proven that student engagement is essential to the learning process and path to academic success. When engaged, students have higher levels of attention and concentration and the ability to tap into high-level critical thinking processes. So why are teachers finding it so challenging to get their students fully engaged in their lessons?

Some student engagement problems include getting distracted in class by things like technology and social media. Pair that with busy lifestyles, full course loads, and responsibilities outside the classroom, and it’s no surprise minds tend to wander. Here are some strategies to keep students engaged and focused.

Flipped Classroom

The flipped classroom approach is a way to get students to take responsibility for their learning and better use class time. When using this method, students are asked to complete activities outside class to learn the material so they can come to the lesson with questions, ready to apply what they’ve learned. Less time is wasted presenting material, so students can get directly into its application.

Class material can be provided in many ways, including readings and pre-recorded lectures. Some of these ways are used in MedCerts’ 12 Elements of eLearning. The flipped classroom gives students agency to take charge in the classroom while the instructor provides guidance and clarification to questions.

Active Learning

Like the flipped classroom, active learning is one of the best student engagement strategies for college students. Instead of just sitting and listening, ask students to be physically active and to move around the classroom to perform labs, projects, or web quests. Have students work in pairs or small groups to share ideas. To further engagement, students can prepare debates, presentations, or speeches that can get the whole class involved.

Utilize Technology

Technology is integrated into every part of our lives, so it’s a great idea to use it in the classroom, as well. Whether classes are online or in-person, there are many ways you can utilize technology, including clear and concise communication. MedCerts already excels in integrating technology in the classroom through our 12 Elements of eLearning. Some examples include instructor-led videos, 3D animations, clinical simulations, and demonstrations.

College students today are well-versed in tech. Many grew up having access to computers and the internet since they were old enough to use them. Some tools also help with accessibility, ensuring that you’re accounting for several learning styles and abilities in your classroom.

Think-Pair-Share

This strategy encourages students to collaborate and share ideas, giving them new perspectives on the topic or idea at hand. First, ask students to gather their thoughts on the topic and jot them down. Next, have students pair up to exchange ideas and discuss. Expand upon this by having pairs join together to form small groups and share ideas and opinions even further.

Better Learning Faster with MedCerts

At MedCerts, we know that student engagement is critical to their success. That’s why our 12 Elements of eLearning aims to deliver an immersive student experience that blends technology, task-based presentation, and activities that experts in the field present.

MedCerts proudly partners with academic institutions of higher learning by offering our programs for use or credit for prior learning (CPL). These partnerships help to boost enrollment and diversify student bodies. MedCerts currently provides more than 45 online certification programs that typically take six months or less, getting your students to a better career faster.