Active learning in online classes

Proceedings of The 3rd International Conference on Modern Research in Education, Teaching and Learning

Year: 2021

DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.33422/3rd.icmetl/.2021.08.97

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Active learning in online classes

Samaneh Niktinat

 

ABSTRACT: 

Education is an area that has recently seen considerable changes as a result of the global spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Instead of traditional classes with students seated in neat rows, faces turned to the teacher, a current online class is a screen with tiny boxes showing faces, pictures, or letters that represent students. Having several advantages such as being accessible, easy to use, and affordable, this new form of education brings about some challenges including a high level of distraction and lower student engagement (Friedman, 2020). Therefore, applying techniques to actively engage students and keep them engaged during an online session is important. Studies have shown active learning methods enhance student’s engagement, performance, and attitude in the traditional format. Considering the benefit of active learning and the rise in the use of online classes during the covid pandemic, this paper aimed to examine the effectiveness of implementing some active learning methods in the online setting. To reach this aim, two active learning strategies including flip learning and group work were applied in five online classes of high school students. The data was gathered from both students’ reflections on their learning and teacher interviews to assess how much active learning was successful in providing an effective and inclusive virtual environment and improving student’s engagement and learning achievements. Overall, the result depicted that despite some limitations, similarly to traditional classes, applying active learning methods are helpful in online classes which increases students’ engagement, performance and achievement to a great extent.

Keywords: traditional classes, online classes, active learning, student engagement.