9 Genius Ways to Keep Students Engaged in Online Classes

Simple tools and strategies to boost student attention in virtual lessons

By SELINclub | 31 Jul 2025, 02:11 AM

Do you teach online? Do you find it hard to keep students interested? You are not alone. Many teachers feel this way. Students often get distracted at home. It is not easy to hold their attention through a screen.

Online classes have become very common, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Many schools in India and across the world use online teaching now. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in India supports using new ways to make learning better. NEP 2020 says lessons should be fun, clear, and easy for students to follow. It wants students to learn skills like creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving.

This blog will help you. It gives nine simple ideas to keep students focused and active during online lessons. You can try these ideas in your class. They work for young children and older students. They help make your lessons better and more enjoyable.

Why Is It Important to Keep Students Engaged?

Teaching online is very different from teaching in a classroom. In a classroom, you see students. You can watch if they listen or get bored. Online, you cannot always see them clearly. Many things can distract students at home. They might play games, watch TV, or chat with friends.

Research shows many students find it hard to stay focused during online lessons. More than 70% of teachers say keeping students interested online is a big challenge. In India, the problem is even bigger. Some students have slow internet or no computers. This makes it hard for them to join lessons properly.

NEP 2020 talks about these problems. It wants learning to be more flexible. It says learning should not just be about listening. It should be about doing activities, talking, and thinking deeply.

If students stay engaged, they learn better. They enjoy school more. They get ready for future jobs and life. So, it is very important to keep students interested during online classes.

1. Use Fun Online Tools to Make Learning Active

Online tools can make your lessons fun. When students do things in class, they pay more attention.

There are many free tools you can use:

• Kahoot! – It makes quizzes into games. Students answer questions fast and try to win.
   
• Quizlet – Students can practice with flashcards and tests.
   
• Mentimeter – You can make polls and ask questions that students answer on their phones or computers.
   

How to use them:

• Start your class with a quick quiz. It wakes students up.
   
• Use games to review the lesson at the end.
   
• Let students make quizzes for their friends. This helps them learn more.
   
• Use polls to ask what students think or know.

These tools make students feel like they are playing, not just studying. They make your lesson lively and fun.

2. Teach in Short Parts

Students get tired if you talk too long. Most people can only focus for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.

Here is what you can do:

• Divide your lesson into small parts.
   
• Teach one idea in 10 minutes.
   
• Then stop and ask a question.
   
• Let students do a quick activity.
   
• Use breakout rooms (small groups) for discussions.
   
• Summarize what you taught before moving on.

For example, if you teach about plants, first talk about types of plants for 10 minutes. Then ask students to name plants they see around them. Then show pictures or videos. This way, students stay alert.

Short lessons help students understand better and stay awake.

3. Tell Stories and Use Real-Life Examples

Stories catch attention. They help students remember better. Stories make lessons easier to understand.

Try this:

• Share a simple story about the topic.
   
• Use videos or pictures that show real life.
   
• Ask students to tell their own stories.
   
• Use examples from daily life.
   

Example: When teaching percentages, talk about a sale in a shop. If something costs 100 rupees and is 20% off, how much will it cost? This makes math real and easy.

Stories help students feel the lesson. They make boring topics interesting.

4. Let Students Choose What They Do

Students like to choose. It makes them feel happy and responsible.

You can let students:

• Pick their project topic.
   
• Choose how to show their work: video, poster, or writing.
   
• Decide the order to finish activities.

This helps students use their strengths. Some like to write. Others like to draw or talk.

For example, in an English class, some students can write a poem. Others can record themselves reading the poem.

When students choose, they enjoy learning more.

5. Use Pictures and Videos

Seeing helps students understand better. Use pictures, videos, and charts in your lessons.

Here are some ideas:

• Use simple pictures to explain ideas.
   
• Show videos that explain the topic.
   
• Use graphs or charts to show numbers.
   
• Create slides with pictures and short points.
   

You can use tools like:

• Canva – to make pictures or posters.
   
• Powtoon – to make animated videos.
   
• Edpuzzle – to add questions in videos.

For example, a biology teacher can show a video about how the heart works. Pause the video to ask questions.

Pictures and videos make learning easy and fun.

6. Help Students Work Together

Online learning can be lonely. Group work helps students stay connected.

You can:

• Use Google Docs to write together.
   
• Use Padlet to share ideas on a board.
   
• Assign group projects with clear roles.

When students work in teams, they learn to talk and listen to others. It helps them feel part of a group.

Example: In history class, students can create a timeline. Each student adds one event on Google Docs.

Group work keeps students interested and happy.

7. Give Feedback Quickly and Kindly

Students want to know how they are doing. Feedback helps them improve.

Try to:

• Give comments on their work.
   
• Send short voice or video messages.
   
• Ask students to give feedback to each other.

Fast feedback helps students fix mistakes. It shows you care.

For example, after a quiz, tell students what they did well and where to improve.

Good feedback keeps students motivated.

8. Set Clear Rules and Plans

Students like to know what will happen. Clear rules and routines help them feel safe.

You can:

• Share a weekly schedule.
   
• Start every class by telling students what they will learn.
   
• Use timers to keep activities short.
   
• Set simple rules for joining class, asking questions, and doing homework.

When students know what to expect, they can focus better.

Example: Start class by saying, “Today we will learn about the solar system. We will watch a video and then do a quiz.”

Clear routines reduce confusion and stress.

9. Take Short Breaks Often

Looking at screens for long hours is tiring. Breaks help students rest.

Try this:

• After 30 minutes, take a 5-minute break.
   
• Do breathing exercises.
   
• Stretch or move around.
   
• Play a quick brain game.

Breaks help students feel fresh. They pay better attention after breaks.

Example: Guide students through deep breathing. Say, “Breathe in slowly… now breathe out…”

Short breaks improve focus and mood.

How to Use These Ideas in Your Class

• Try one or two ideas first. Don’t change everything at once.
   
• Use free tools. They are easy and work well.
   
• Talk with other teachers. Share what works.
   
• Ask students what they like and don’t like. Change lessons if needed.
   
• Adjust ideas for your students’ age and needs.
   

What Problems Might You Face?

• Bad internet or no devices:
  Try offline work or phone calls.
   
• Teachers need training:
  Join free online courses or workshops.
   
• Students get distracted at home:
  Ask parents to help make quiet spaces.
  Make lessons fun and active.
   

FAQs

Q1: How can I tell if students are engaged?
Look if they answer questions, do activities, and submit work on time.

Q2: What free tools can I use for online lessons?
Try Kahoot!, Quizlet, Google Jamboard, and Padlet.

Q3: How do I keep young kids interested online?
Use songs, stories, pictures, and short activities.

Q4: How can parents help?
Help set routines, make quiet places, and encourage students.

Q5: What does NEP 2020 say about online teaching?
It says learning should be interactive, personal, and use technology well.

Conclusion

Teaching online is hard. But keeping students interested is very important. When students stay active, they learn better. They also enjoy school more.

You can use easy ideas like games, stories, pictures, choices, and breaks. These make online lessons fun and useful.

These ideas also follow NEP 2020’s vision for good learning. Teachers all over the world are using new ways to help students grow.

If you want to learn more or share your ideas, visit SELIN. It is a place for teachers to connect and help each other. Together, we can make online learning better for all students.