Your online class is in session and your screen sharing fails. How will you engage your students effectively?

Los imprevistos tecnológicos son comunes en las clases en línea, pero podemos convertirlos en oportunidades para fortalecer la conexión con nuestros estudiantes. Mantén la calma y comunica de manera clara: Reconoce el problema: Informa a tus estudiantes de manera clara y concisa sobre el inconveniente técnico que están experimentando. Empatiza con ellos: Muestra comprensión por la frustración que pueda generar esta situación y asegúrales que estás trabajando para resolverla lo antes posible. Ofrece una solución alternativa: Mientras se resuelve el problema técnico, propone una actividad alternativa que mantenga a los estudiantes involucrados y aprendiendo.

If your screen sharing fails during an online class, engaging your students effectively requires a quick pivot. Start by explaining the situation and transitioning to oral quizzes to keep the class interactive and maintain their focus. Shift to storytelling mode to present the material in a compelling way, helping students stay engaged through narrative. Encourage an interactive discussion where students can share their thoughts and ask questions. By being adaptable and creative, you can turn a technical issue into an opportunity for dynamic and meaningful interaction.

When screen sharing fails, stay calm and address your students, explaining the situation and reassuring them that the class will continue. Encourage active listening and note-taking. Verbally describe the content or, if possible, send relevant files through the chat for students to view on their devices. This approach keeps the class engaged and demonstrates your adaptability under pressure.

Aprovecha el momento para la interacción: Rompe el hielo: Aprovecha la oportunidad para realizar una dinámica de grupo que permita a los estudiantes conocerse mejor. Realiza una lluvia de ideas: Plantea una pregunta abierta relacionada con el tema de la clase y anima a los estudiantes a compartir sus ideas. Crea un debate: Presenta un dilema o una situación problemática relacionada con el contenido de la clase y promueve un debate entre los estudiantes.

Oral quizzes are a dynamic tool for reinforcing lesson content and maintaining student engagement. By posing questions related to the lesson, you encourage students to respond verbally, which helps solidify their understanding. This method fosters an interactive classroom environment and allows for immediate feedback. Additionally, facilitating discussions where students elaborate on their answers promotes a deeper grasp of the subject matter. This approach not only keeps students attentive but also makes learning more engaging and lively.

Storytelling is a dynamic method for engaging students, turning lessons into memorable narratives. Transform complex topics into relatable stories to enhance comprehension and retention. By framing content as a story, you help students visualize and connect with the material more deeply. This approach not only makes learning more enjoyable but also personalizes the experience, fostering better engagement and understanding. Encourage students to imagine the concepts as part of a narrative, making abstract ideas more concrete and accessible.

These things can happend. Go back to basics. Encourage all students to participate in a discussion about the subject. Depending on the group size this can be voiced / chat or a mixture. Use targeted questions to ensure that everyone is involved. If appropriate ask students if they can relate the topic to their experiences. Getting the students to capture the key points by making notes during the discussion. Which they could upload at the end of the lesson and you could review.

When screen sharing fails during an online class, shift the focus to interactive discussion. For instance, I once hosted a session with a Product Management expert whose screen sharing failed. They tackled it by turning the session into an engaging Q&A. They asked students about their understanding of key concepts, shared industry anecdotes, and encouraged participants to discuss their own experiences. Using polls and the chat function, they kept the interaction lively. This approach not only maintained engagement but also deepened the students' understanding through active participation. Emphasize the power of dialogue to create a dynamic learning environment, even without visual aids.

To foster an interactive discussion, start by asking open-ended questions that invite students to share their thoughts and experiences. For example, you could ask, "How does this concept apply to your daily life?" or "Can you think of a real-world example where this topic is relevant?" Encourage students to build on each other's responses and provide personal insights. Use both voice and text chat, depending on the platform, to accommodate different preferences. Actively participate and guide the conversation to keep students engaged and make the learning experience collaborative and dynamic.

Utiliza herramientas alternativas: Pizarra virtual: Si tienes acceso a una pizarra virtual, puedes utilizarla para explicar conceptos y realizar diagramas. Chat: Utiliza el chat de la plataforma para responder preguntas y mantener una conversación con los estudiantes. Recursos compartidos: Si tienes materiales compartidos previamente, puedes pedir a los estudiantes que los revisen y comenten sobre ellos. Refuerza la comunicación: Anímalos a participar: Invita a los estudiantes a compartir sus experiencias y conocimientos sobre el tema. Escucha activamente: Demuestra interés genuino en lo que tienen que decir. Haz preguntas abiertas: Promueve la reflexión y el análisis crítico.

Breakout groups enhance student engagement by dividing them into smaller, interactive teams for part of the class. Assign specific tasks or topics to each group to encourage deeper discussion and collaboration. This approach promotes critical thinking and allows students to take ownership of their learning. By working in smaller groups, students can interact more intimately with peers, which can be more effective than traditional methods or extensive screen sharing. Overall, breakout groups foster a collaborative learning environment and help keep students actively involved.