3 Virtual Teachers Share Tips for Keeping Students Engaged in Online Learning
Student engagement is one of the most make-or-break elements of virtual instruction. While technology makes it easier to personalize instruction, the strategies that teachers use each day are what keep online and hybrid classrooms vibrant and productive.
To better understand the student engagement strategies that work best within online courses, we asked three Edmentum virtual educators to share practices that have helped their students stay motivated.
“Math Talk Minutes” and the Power of Predictable Routines
Dr. Tamalita Funches has navigated a wide range of learning environments over the years, including virtual and hybrid settings. Clear expectations and steady routines help students stay grounded, she says, especially when they’re learning online.
She has found that online learning feels safer and more manageable to some students. For those who are easily overwhelmed or need time to think before participating, it even opens doors to deeper, more confident participation. She is focused on promoting autonomy while ensuring that students feel safe reaching out to one another. Recently, she’s been trying a new strategy that she calls “Math Talk.”
“During a lesson, I pause midway and send students into small breakout rooms with a quick math challenge and a guiding question like, ‘How would you explain this to a friend, younger sibling, or learning guide?’ or ‘What’s another way to solve this problem?’ Each group comes back and shares one idea. It gives them ownership, gets them talking (which is hard to do online), and makes the learning more collaborative. It is simple, but I have found it brings some of that classroom energy into the virtual space.”
Dr. Funches prioritizes helping all students feel seen and supported, because connection is what drives meaningful interaction and deeper learning. “Simple things like providing a warm welcome in chat, calling them by name, commenting on something they shared, or giving space for a quick ‘feelings check-in' before the lesson can make a huge difference. Engagement grows when students feel like they matter.”
Start With What Students Already Know
Gus Danielson teaches math online, focused on creating learning experiences that keep students mentally active from start to finish. He builds his lessons around inquiry and step-by-step exploration and always gives students opportunities to share their thinking.
“The most important thing teachers should know about keeping students engaged in online learning is that students must be given the opportunity to engage and let you know what they come in knowing. This can help teachers gauge where to take the lesson and understand if the student is ready to explore concepts on a deeper level or uncover potential misconceptions.”
Danielson sees clear benefits in online learning, especially for students who need flexible access or a quieter environment to process new concepts.
“One of the great benefits is that it provides an opportunity for students, especially those who may not have easy access to brick-and-mortar schools or reliable internet access, to have access to top-tier, quality education.”
Engagement Through Curiosity and “What If?” Thinking
Lisa van Petegem approaches online science instruction with a clear focus on curiosity and meaningful exploration. She builds her courses around questions that invite students to investigate, experiment, and make sense of the world around them. That foundation shapes every lesson and helps students stay connected to the content.
“The key to keeping students engaged online is creating a routine that’s clear, consistent, and interactive. Students need to know what to expect, but also need opportunities to be active participants—whether that’s through polls, quick responses, games, or small discussions. Engagement doesn’t come from flashy tech; it comes from making students feel like they matter and giving them a reason to care about what they’re learning.”
The structure of online learning can help students take ownership of their progress and build confidence over time, notices van Petegem.
“Online learning gives students the flexibility to learn at their own pace and in an environment that works best for them. It can be a great option for students who need a quieter space, have outside responsibilities, or simply thrive with more independence. It also opens up access to a wider range of courses and teachers they might not have in a traditional setting. For many students, it’s a chance to feel more in control of their learning.”
Digital simulations, virtual labs, and interactive modeling tools allow her students to test ideas, analyze patterns, and think critically from anywhere, broadening the kinds of inquiry and experimentation they can experience beyond the constraints of a physical classroom.
As online education continues to grow and evolve, we thank these educators for sharing their thoughts about how a solid foundation is built. For meaningful interaction to take place, students need clear routines, purposeful learning experiences, and space to develop their natural curiosity and independence. That kind of engagement, even in a virtual setting, is what sets students up for success in any environment going forward.
Looking for ways to support high-quality online instruction? Explore Edmentum’s full library of virtual instruction and professional learning resources designed to help educators create engaging, student-centered virtual classrooms.