Several ideas came to mind, if online learning (e.g., via Zoom) only is available:

• Know the strengths and limitations of the platform you're operating on and adapt your teaching accordingly...
• Offer more short breaks to students and engage them in breakout rooms discussions and reporting to the whole class
• Have students do some very brief, but specific written exercises/mini research and reflections on their own first in class, then interact with 1 or 2 classmates about their findings, followed by a whole-class discussion and lecturettes from you, etc.
• Vary your modes of learning periodically in class.
• Reinforce and solidify learning...

If you award bonus points to homework or test questions where the student has demonstrated the ability to think outside the box then this might encourage more active participation from stui

Several ideas came to mind, if online learning (e.g., via Zoom) only is available:

• Know the strengths and limitations of the platform you're operating on and adapt your teaching accordingly...
• Offer more short breaks to students and engage them in breakout rooms discussions and reporting to the whole class
• Have students do some very brief, but specific written exercises/mini research and reflections on their own first in class, then interact with 1 or 2 classmates about their findings, followed by a whole-class discussion and lecturettes from you, etc.
• Vary your modes of learning periodically in class.
• Reinforce and solidify learning...

Paul: I have been teaching online college courses for over 22 years. My experience is that most students will not participate unless their are points involved. Assign points to any activity that you want the students to complete.

You also need a Discussion Board. I usually post 2 or 3 questions every day on the Discussion Board just to encourage class discussion. I require each student to post 5 messages to the Discussion Board each week, which is worth 15 points per week.

According to Howard Gardner every learners have multiple intelligence, while Abraham Maslow focuses on the hierarchy of needs. These two plus technology in the right perspective might work as well. Learning the Google applications and Microsoft Sway with the Kotobee and Moodle might as well work with a SMART Board installed and the skills on E-board.

I'm basing this off of experience not in online education, but rather virtual teams engagement. There are similarities but with some differences. The concise answer would be personalized questions. By asking open-ended questions based on their submissions and personal opinions on a subject, they must engage in a quality response. People react to anyone being interested in THEIR thoughts. Build on that. With motion comes the ability to guide.