Motivate Online Learners With 4 Easy Strategies

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Learning is a social business and social interaction is motivating for online learners.

Now, not everyone is sociable and some of us like a bit of peace and quiet to study best - that's not what I'm talking about here. Rather, I'm talking about having others to learn alongside, to engage in the kinds of conversations that build knowledge.

Easy in a classroom, more challenging in virtual education? Not at all! Think about the Internet - hasn't it developed into a whole variety of conversations and social networks? Sure, you can still find plenty of information, but you are just as likely these days to be able to discuss that information, compare notes, share ideas, and so on.

If you can, build social interaction into your e-learning course to better motivate online learners. If you are using Moodle, WebCT, Blackboard or a similar virtual learning environment, make full use of the discussion capability. Get your learners talking! It's best if you can gently steer the discussion so that they stay on-topic and things don't get too heated. Some off-topic chat is fine too. It helps your learners get a sense of interacting with real people, just as if they were in a classroom.

You don't have to stop there, either. If it works in your course, instant messaging or other 'real-time' discussions can help to motivate online learners. You could try Skype, or even take your group into a virtual worldsuch as Second Life .

Or how about asking your learners to keep a blog, and to read and comment on the blogs of others in the group? Another idea is to have a class wiki to which each learner can contribute.

All these ideas have been used successfully by other instructors in motivating online learners. Including different types of interaction keeps things interesting for learners, and this in turn keeps them engaged.

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Children know how absorbing games can be. You may know too, if you've ever spent hours on a games console or your computer, trying to beat your score. Wouldn't it be great if online learning was that compelling?

The funny thing is, many adults think that play is only for children, and that games are bad. Yet research shows that game-based learning strategies can be powerful motivators in education. Consider using some of the following to engage and motivate your online learners:

• Learners earn points or rewards (e.g. virtual gold stars or medals) as they progress and meet their goals


• Use storytelling to make learning more compelling


• Role plays and simulations involve learners and test their understanding


• Design a WebQuest activity for your learners to seek answers using the Internet... or ask your learners to design their own!

There are many more ideas to make your e-learning more engaging. If you have a good one, please share it!