As November arrives, my online classes are reaching their midpoint. At this time, maintaining student motivation (for class participation) becomes a significant issue. In regular classes, Japanese university students typically attend without much preparation, and teachers often conduct one-way lectures without considering the students’ level of preparation. This approach raises concerns about the effectiveness of learning. Therefore, to enhance student engagement, teachers assign homework and require students to present their work in class. Since many students do not complete individual assignments, group work is used to increase participation rates in class tasks.
However, these methods cannot be applied in online classes. In my classes, I aim to motivate students by teaching the course content as skills that will be useful in their professional lives. Yet, this approach often fails to resonate with students online. To address this, I have created game-like quizzes that students find engaging and encourage them to repeatedly watch recorded lectures. This way, even students who are not initially interested in the class can find joy in learning and feel a sense of accomplishment as they acquire new skills. I am continually striving to make this approach effective.
