Engaging Students

Introduction

You can interact with students in a surprising number of ways in an online environment.

BYU has institutional licenses for a wide array of tools like Zoom and LinkedIn Learning for professor and student use.

Recommendations and Suggestions

Use the tools you have to focus on connecting with your students, even virtually.

• Virtual empathy is challenging when you can’t read a room, but empathy and connection with your audience is key
• Does your audience know protocol for communicating and engaging with you during the session? Set communication expectations up front so they know how and when to engage, when it’s their turn to talk/ask questions, open format
• When presenting, make sure there is light behind you, opposite of what many think.
• Elevate your camera so it’s level with your face, not pointing up at you
• Test the technology to avoid unnecessary glitches and distractions
• Your voice
  • Use vocal variety, avoid monotone, and emphasize the most important words in your sentence
  • Give them time to digest the content; short sentences and pauses are good
  • Virtually, it’s even more important to articulate your words
  • Optimize your tone – imagine you are still sending your voice out across the room
• Your body
  • Use gestures; they help you connect with your audience. Be aware of your video box so gestures are seen
  • Be aware of posture and movement
  • Make eye contact… remember that’s the camera lens