A person smiling while working on the laptop for his online course.

As an online course creator, you've likely put in countless hours of work to create and deliver valuable content. But some of your courses just don't seem to connect with your students like others do. They lack engagement.

With attention spans dwindling and an abundance of information available at our fingertips, it's more important than ever to make sure your courses are engaging. Not only does an engaging course help you get more testimonials, a higher completion rate, and more student success, but it also increases the chances of it being shared through word of mouth.

So, let's dive into 10 ways to make your courses more engaging and give your students the experience they want.

10 Ways to make your course more engaging

1. Variety of formats

Mixing up the format of your course will cater to different learning styles, making it more inclusive and accessible to all students. Videos can be an effective tool for explaining complex concepts, making them easier to understand. Audio recordings can be used to reinforce key points and help students remember important information. Text can provide a visual reference and help students follow along with the material.

2. Interactive elements

Interactive elements such as quizzes, surveys, and games can make learning more enjoyable and memorable for the students as it breaks up the monotony of a lecture-style course and keeps students engaged.

These elements can also help the instructor gauge the student's understanding of the subject matter and identify areas where they need to focus more. To maximize the impact of interactive elements, consider using them sparingly and strategically, as well as making them relevant and directly tied to the course material

3. Engaging headlines

The headline of your course is the first thing that students will see and it needs to grab their attention. Make sure your headlines are attention-grabbing, relevant, and clearly communicate what students can expect to learn. This will help entice students to keep reading and stay engaged in your course.

E.g. Bad Headline: "Introduction to Business 101"

Good Headline: "Discover the Secrets of Successful Entrepreneurship: An Insider's Guide to Starting Your Own Business"

Bad Headline: "History of Art"

Good Headline: "Uncover the Hidden Meanings and Masterpieces of Art Through the Ages: A Journey Through History"

Infographic explaining a difference between good headlines and bad headlines

4. Storytelling

Storytelling can be a powerful tool in making your course more engaging. Use anecdotes, case studies, or real-life examples to illustrate your points and help students understand the material. This can make the information more memorable and relatable. To take it a step further, consider using visual aids such as infographics or illustrations to bring your stories to life.

5. Notes and worksheets

Students often get bogged down by having to take notes on everything during an online course. Provide them with a resource such as notes or worksheets to follow along. This will free up their attention to focus on the content and make the learning experience less overwhelming.

6. Case studies

Case studies can help make the information you’re teaching more relevant to the real world. Share real-life examples of how the concepts you’re teaching have been applied and the results that were achieved. This way, students can see the practical applications of what they’re learning and keep them engaged.

7. Gamify progress

Gamification can make the learning experience more enjoyable and motivate students to keep moving forward. Use points, badges, or rewards to recognize student progress and encourage them to complete the course. Include challenges or competitions to add an extra layer of excitement.

An infographic showing points of why gamify your course

8. Community

Creating a community around your course can help students feel a sense of belonging and make the learning experience more enjoyable. Encourage students to connect with each other and share their experiences. Consider including a forum or chat room where students can ask questions and exchange ideas. This will help foster a sense of collaboration and keep students engaged.

9. Short modules

Keeping your learning modules short and sweet will help prevent students from feeling overwhelmed or losing focus. Consider breaking down complex topics into smaller, manageable chunks and making use of multimedia to keep things visually appealing. This will make it easier for students to fit learning into their busy schedules and keep them engaged throughout the course.

10. Encourage student participation and collaboration

Creating opportunities for students to engage with each other and work together on projects can help to foster a sense of community and keep the students motivated. Consider hosting group discussions, virtual collaboration projects, and peer review sessions to encourage student interaction and increase engagement.

What's next?

Here's something to ponder - what will you do differently in your next course to make it stand out and keep your students engaged? Remember, it's not just about delivering information, it's about creating a memorable and impactful learning experience for your students.

That's where platforms like Miho come in handy. With its robust tools for constructing online courses, developing a community, and designing marketing landing pages, Miho makes it effortless to bring your course ideas to life and reach your target audience.