Engaging Students in a Distance Learning Environment

The International Distance Education Certification Center provides an overview of interaction skills that can enhance the delivery of distance education courses. The strategies listed here are a summary of their recommendations:

• Get to know students by name.
• Develop discussion questions, case studies, and exercises that get students talking to the instructor and each other.
• Have flexible office hours. This includes electronic office hours so that students can contact the instructor easily.
• Define the communication policies so that the learners know the guidelines and how and when to use communication tools such as emails, discussion boards, and shared applications.
• Consider how much time can be devoted to emails and discussion boards and the like when planning the course.
• Consider using more than one vehicle for interaction and feedback; e.g., email, fax, telephone, and computer.
• When using multiple sites, attempt to contact each site each week.
• Know who participates and who does not. Contact those who do not.
• Use written feedback when possible. It personalizes a distance course.
• Detail assignment requirements and return assignments promptly.
• If a teaching assistant/proctor is used at a remote site, ensure that the person is a facilitator of interaction.
• Alternate between instructional delivery and interaction.
• Never forget that "student silence is not golden in distance education."
• Ask students at selected intervals in the class, "What have you learned?" These are important informal feedback points. Encourage student evaluation.
• When possible, establish exercises in the course where the student will work in a small group. Such assignments are possible with computers and email.

Source: Meyer, Robert A. Distance Education Standards and Resource Guide, International Distance Education Certification Center, 2001.