Some things that worked in my courses:
- breakout sessions with specific tasks (a couple of students compete against other students in solving a task)
- surveys where the students have to react, e.g. with Emojis
- small sessions with fewer students (three to four) to keep them active
In my opinion, there is no need for an online session if you don't need interaction. Every simple presentation can be done via video. So I don't recommend "forcing" interaction, but rather use online sessions as a powerful tool for interaction when it is useful.
Yes I use the breakout rooms but the added appeal of competition, I will explore. Very interesting perspective.
Depending by subject
all above and ...a lot of others:
- on the zoom, web cam open for all the online session and Moodle open (educational software)
- for each 50 minutes teaching, 2-4 easy of short task (one at 10 minutes) and two minutes for a "brain brake" ( a joke or last breaking news)
- easy calculations adapted for for each students (for example in according with their ID , birth date and so on)
- collecting opinions in order to improve the .."calculated item". (no
hierarchy)
- 1-2 minutes movie in according with the subject (it can be in the beginning to help the brain storming).
To all the recommendations already exposed, you can add the use of augmented reality through their cell phones. Maybe develop an app- or download a free one online- that allows them to interact with their environment while learning. Something similar to Pokemon Go might work. You can use this in the last 15-20 minutes of class.
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