Increasing student engagement in the virtual environment

Abstract

This research looked at online learning and strategies to improve student engagement and engagement to increase understanding of education in an environment where teachers and students are separated by time and/or space. It sought to achieve a greater understanding of the techniques and tools of the virtual environment to increase knowledge about virtual engagement and improve the conditions of online instructors, instructional designers and educational administrators who wish to improve participation in online courses. The research had a qualitative approach to investigate how to improve engagement in online learning. The analysis and interpretation of the data were based on the results of a total of sixty-eight questionnaires completed in the ages between twenty-five and sixty-four years. The study revealed that there are preferences about the resources used online, the most prominent being videos,
presentations, virtual platforms, and music. Students prefer written communication in complete sentences, grammatically correct, and with a respectful tone. Increased active participation improves higher level and critical thinking skills. The most important elements in online learning are the instructor, the students, and the connection between them. Online learning has not shown to be superior as a preferred means of attendance in classes.