Background
As part of a research study, 66 randomized student groups of all grade levels generated 680 ideas on improving online education. Their insights, gathered during the shift to digital learning prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, form a set of practical suggestions for faculty aimed at improving accessibility, engagement, and consistency in online classes. Students can provide valuable insights into what is working and what is not, so we hope you can utilize these “best practices” in your online teaching.
Key Findings:
Student Priorities
Students want their education to be:
- Accessible – allowing for flexibility and support
- Engaging – involving variety and interaction
- Consistent – minimizing surprises and technological inconsistencies/confusion
Faculty Relationships
- Students appreciate frequent communication and empathy from instructors.
- Regular feedback mechanisms and mental health check-ins can build a stronger connection.
- We do recognize that personal check-ins, while valued, may not be feasible for large classes.
Interaction and Engagement
- Students prefer interactive teaching methods (polls, group work, videos).
- The “flipped classroom” model was highly praised: students learn content on their own time and use class sessions for collaboration, and to actively problem solve.
Technology and Course Structure
- Inconsistencies in course page setup, grading, and tech tools cause frustration.
- Standardizing formats across courses and departments would reduce cognitive overload.
Best Practice Suggestions:
| Accessibility | – Frequent breaks during lectures – Captions/transcripts – Recorded lectures |
| Communication | – Regular Canvas announcements – Student feedback surveys – Mental health check-ins |
| Engagement | – Polls, quizzes, games – Incorporate pop culture and current events to make content more relevant – Flipped learning model |
| Interaction | – Require/incentivize camera use – More peer interaction/breakout rooms |
| Consistency | – Standard Canvas layouts – Consistent use of tech platforms – Standard grading rubrics |
| Faculty Preparedness | – Professors trained in required technologies; if the students have to use it, the professors should know how to use it too. |
