Student Motivation and Engagement Tips for Online Learning

One of the most asked questions in our Parent Support for Online Learning Facebook group is how parents can keep students motivated during remote and online learning. Learning at home can be difficult for many reasons. If a remote learning plan is not user-friendly and parents and students have to navigate multiple learning platforms, simple assignments can be overwhelming. Students may be missing the routines of in-person learning. Students with learning differences may struggle in the online setting without the proper supports. And, frankly, some days are just more difficult than others for students and parents. 

So, what can parents do to help their students stay motivated and engaged in their online learning? Here are some suggestions. 

Check YOUR Attitude — be positive, set expectations, develop a culture of learning.

As parents and the caring adults in our kids' lives, we set the tone for how our students will approach learning at home. Provide a positive learning environment for your students. If you are excited about learning, your students are more likely to be excited as well.

Get Organized!

Provide an orderly area for your students to work. You may not have the luxury of a dedicated home classroom, but learning can happen at the dining room table or on the sofa if a student has the materials they need and space free of distractions. 

Give students opportunities to create daily schedules and weekly goals/rewards.

Students thrive in the online learning environment when they can take ownership of their education. Provide opportunities for students to create or have input in their daily/weekly schedules. They can decide which assignments to tackle first or devise goals and rewards for completing tasks.

Break down the day into “chunks” — use a timer to stay focused on tasks.

Breaking down the school day and assignments into smaller tasks can prevent students from feeling overwhelmed. And using a kitchen timer or the timer on a cellphone can help students focus and stay on track throughout the school day.

Help older students create timelines for big projects and writing assignments.

Again, it can be overwhelming to tackle big projects at home if a student is accustomed to having a teacher direct the time and pace of learning. Take some time to set up an initial plan of attack with your middle and high school students and do check-ins where they can give you status reports. Eventually, they will learn the skills to manage more significant assignments on their own.

Give students choices for free time — offline activities, fun screen time, outside play, and exercise.