Innovative EdTech practices you can use to boost student engagement

The way students learn is constantly shifting. The rise of e-learning and online education has afforded both educators and learners new opportunities, giving them the flexibility to access education from anywhere, at any time.

However, this also presents a unique challenge for video e-learning creators, educators, and coordinators. How can you keep students engaged in a virtual environment where distractions abound?

This is where innovative EdTech practices, especially in video learning, can make a significant difference. This article explores video learning, how to develop an effective strategy, and innovative e-learning practices that can help boost student engagement.

First things first — what are your needs?

Before looking at innovative EdTech practices, assess your current e-learning strategies. What are your strengths and which areas could use improvement? To make any EdTech solution work, you must first understand the unique needs of your learners, instructors, and content creators.

Start by asking yourself a few key questions:

1. What do my learners struggle with the most? Are they losing focus during lessons? Do they need more interactive elements to stay engaged?
2. What are my instructors' goals? Are they looking for better ways to deliver their content, or do they want to enhance collaboration with students?
3. How is my current video learning strategy performing? Evaluate your current video content. Are students completing the courses? Do you see high levels of interaction, or are they simply skipping through?

Once you have the answers to these questions, you’ll have a clearer understanding of which innovative practices you need to enhance your e-learning strategy. Whether it’s adding interactivity, incorporating new types of media, or experimenting with gamification, knowing your starting point is essential.

Advantages of innovative practices for e-learning

One of the most significant advantages of incorporating innovative practices into your e-learning strategy is improved student engagement. When students are actively involved in their learning process, they’re more likely to retain information, stay motivated, and perform better in their assessments.

Here are some other top advantages of using innovative EdTech practices:

1. Increased interactivity

Including quizzes, polls, and discussion boards in your video lessons can transform passive learning into an active, engaging experience. By allowing learners to interact with the material and each other, you create an environment that fosters collaboration and critical thinking.

2. Personalized learning experiences

Innovative EdTech tools can help you tailor your content to each learner’s individual needs. For instance, you can use adaptive learning platforms to offer personalized video lessons that adjust based on each student’s progress and preferences. This level of customization ensures learners receive the support they need.

3. Enhanced accessibility

The right tools can make video learning more accessible to a broader range of students. Subtitles, screen readers, and mobile-optimized platforms make it easier for learners with different needs and preferences to engage with your content. This inclusivity helps ensure all students can benefit from your e-learning programs, regardless of their background or circumstances.

4. Better learning analytics

Innovative EdTech solutions often come with detailed analytics that allow you to track student progress in real-time. These insights provide valuable data on student engagement, comprehension, and participation, giving you a clearer picture of how well your e-learning strategy is performing and which areas need improvement.

Innovative practices to try this fall

Once you’ve identified your needs and determined the benefits of innovating your approach, you can implement the appropriate innovative EdTech practices. Examples of such practices include:

1. Interactive video learning

Unlike traditional videos, interactive video lessons allow students to engage directly with the content. You can incorporate quizzes, clickable links, and branching scenarios that guide learners through different paths based on their answers. This creates a dynamic learning environment that keeps students engaged from start to finish.

For instance, instead of a standard video lecture, you can break the content into segments with short quizzes in between. This reinforces key concepts and helps learners stay focused throughout. Interactive videos also enable students to replay specific sections or delve deeper into topics, providing a more tailored learning experience.

2. Microlearning

Microlearning involves delivering content in short, focused bursts. These bite-sized lessons are perfect for modern learners who often have to balance multiple responsibilities. Rather than overwhelming students with long videos, break your content into digestible, five- to 10-minute lessons that are easy to consume and remember.

Microlearning’s flexibility also makes it ideal for learners on the go. They can access short videos during breaks or commutes, allowing them to engage with material even when they have limited time. This approach not only enhances student engagement but also increases retention by focusing on one concept at a time.

3. Gamification in video learning

Gamification involves applying game mechanics — such as points, badges, leaderboards, and challenges — to non-gaming environments like e-learning. By adding elements of competition and reward to your video lessons, you can make learning more enjoyable and immersive.

For instance, you could create a points system where learners earn badges for completing certain sections of your course or achieving high scores on quizzes. You could even design interactive video lessons that include challenges or puzzles for students to solve. Gamification taps into learners’ intrinsic motivation, making them more likely to engage with and complete your course material.

4. Virtual reality and augmented reality

Although virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies are still emerging in the e-learning space, they hold incredible potential for boosting engagement.

By immersing students in virtual environments, VR allows them to experience scenarios they might not encounter in a traditional classroom setting. For example, a biology student could explore a 3D model of the human body, or a history student could "visit" ancient civilizations in a virtual world.

AR, on the other hand, enhances real-world experiences by overlaying digital content on top of the physical world. For instance, students could use AR apps on their mobile devices to visualize complex concepts like molecular structures or historical landmarks.

While VR and AR may not be practical for every course, they offer an exciting opportunity for immersive learning experiences in fields like science, engineering, and art.

5. AI-powered personalized learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming our approach to education. AI-driven platforms can analyze student data to create personalized learning paths and recommend specific videos or activities based on each student’s strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. This ensures learners receive the content most relevant to their needs, making the learning experience more engaging and effective.

AI tools can also help with grading and feedback, giving students instant results on quizzes or assessments. This immediate feedback loop helps students understand where they stand and where they need to improve, while also reducing the workload for educators.

Key takeaways

As the world of online learning continues to evolve, staying ahead of the curve is essential for video e-learning creators, educators, and coordinators.

By adopting innovative EdTech practices like interactive video learning, microlearning, gamification, and AI-powered personalization, you can create a more engaging and effective e-learning experience for your students.

The key to success is understanding your learners’ needs and tailoring your strategy to meet those needs. With the right mix of innovation and strategy, you can not only boost student engagement but also improve retention and performance, setting the stage for long-term e-learning success.

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