Category: Teaching & Learning

For many years, teaching was closely connected with the idea of the lecture. An instructor presented information, students took notes, and learning was often measured with a quiz or exam.

Lectures can still have a place in education, but learners also benefit from opportunities to do something with what they are learning.

Active learning does not require completely redesigning a course. A recorded lecture, for example, might be divided into shorter sections with a question or activity between them. Learners could review a short case study, solve a problem, compare two examples, respond to a realistic situation, or explain a concept in their own words.

These approaches can be especially helpful for adult learners. Many adults bring years of work and life experience into a course. Giving them opportunities to connect new information with what they already know can make learning more useful and meaningful.

AI gives instructional designers and faculty even more options. An instructor could use AI to help develop practice scenarios, create examples for different careers, generate questions based on a reading, or develop an initial set of activities for further review. Learners might also use an approved AI tool to explore a scenario, practice a conversation, or receive additional practice with a concept.

The important part is having a clear purpose. Adding an activity simply because it is interactive does not automatically improve learning. The activity should help learners practice, apply, analyze, or think about something that supports the course goals.

For instructional designers working with faculty, moving toward active learning does not have to begin with a major course redesign. Start with one lesson. Find a place where learners are mostly watching, reading, or listening and ask a simple question:

What could learners be doing here instead?

Sometimes that one question can change the entire learning experience.

An online course can have great videos, clear instructions, and well-designed assignments and still feel disconnected. Learners need opportunities to interact with their instructor, the course content, and, when appropriate, one another.

This is where Regular and Substantive Interaction, often called RSI, becomes important. But meaningful interaction should be more than something added to a course to meet a requirement. Done well, it can help learners feel supported and connected throughout the learning experience.

Interaction does not always need to be complicated. An instructor might provide feedback on an assignment, post a weekly announcement about common questions, participate in a discussion, offer virtual office hours, or send a message to learners who appear to be struggling. Small and consistent interactions can have a big impact.

Instructional designers can help faculty build these opportunities into a course from the beginning. Instead of waiting until the course is finished and asking, “Where can we add interaction?” consider interaction while designing each module. Where might learners need guidance? When would instructor feedback be most useful? Where could a discussion help learners think more deeply about the topic?

AI can support this work without replacing the instructor. It can help draft discussion prompts, summarize common questions, organize student feedback, or suggest different ways to explain a difficult concept. An instructor can then review and personalize that information before sharing it with learners.

The goal should not be to automate the relationship between instructors and students. In fact, AI may be most useful when it reduces routine work and gives instructors more time for meaningful interaction.

Online learning becomes much more personal when learners know there is a real person on the other side of the screen.

Keeping learners engaged is one of the hardest parts of teaching, especially in online or self-paced courses. Distraction is just a click away, so the learning experience has to be both useful and interesting.

AI can help by making lessons more interactive. For example, AI chatbots can answer questions in real time, giving learners instant help when they get stuck. This prevents frustration and keeps them moving forward. Some AI tools can even “quiz” learners mid-lesson to check understanding and keep them alert.

For instructors, AI can analyze class participation and flag when someone is falling behind. This makes it easier to step in early and offer help, instead of waiting until it’s too late. AI can also recommend new activities or content based on what’s keeping learners engaged.

Even something as simple as AI-generated practice scenarios can make a big difference. Instead of reading about a concept, learners can try it out in a realistic situation, making the learning more hands-on and memorable.

The key is balance — AI can keep the momentum going, but it works best when paired with a human guide who can encourage, challenge, and inspire. When you combine these strengths, engagement becomes much easier to maintain.

At its heart, teaching and learning is about connection — making sure knowledge is shared in a way that sticks. Whether you’re in a classroom, running a workshop, or designing an online course, the challenge is the same: how do you reach each learner in a way that works for them?

This is where AI can shine. AI-powered learning platforms can track how students interact with lessons, what they get right, and where they struggle. From this, the system can adjust the learning path to fit each person’s needs. For example, if someone is having trouble with a concept, AI can suggest extra resources, practice exercises, or even videos that explain the topic in a different way.

For teachers and instructional designers, this means you can give more targeted support without having to manually track every student’s progress. It also means learners feel seen and supported, which can boost confidence and motivation.

AI can also handle time-consuming tasks like grading simple quizzes, creating practice questions, or summarizing long readings. This frees up more time for meaningful interactions — like answering student questions, giving feedback, or leading discussions.

By mixing AI’s ability to customize and automate with your human insight and empathy, you can create teaching and learning experiences that truly connect with people.

Enhancing student success involves implementing best practices in teaching and learning that create a supportive and effective educational environment. By focusing on engagement, inclusivity, and continuous improvement, educators can significantly impact student outcomes.

Create an engaging and inclusive classroom environment where all students feel valued and supported. Start by establishing a positive classroom culture that encourages participation and collaboration. Use icebreakers and team-building activities to foster a sense of community among students.

Use active learning techniques to promote deeper understanding and engagement. Strategies such as group discussions, problem-solving activities, and hands-on projects can make learning more interactive and meaningful. Incorporating technology, such as online quizzes and interactive simulations, can also enhance student engagement.

Provide timely and constructive feedback to guide students’ progress. Feedback should be specific, actionable, and focused on improvement. Use a variety of feedback methods, including written comments, one-on-one conferences, and peer reviews, to support students’ learning.

Encourage a growth mindset by emphasizing effort and persistence over innate ability. Praise students for their hard work and resilience, and teach them to view challenges as opportunities for growth. This mindset can foster a more positive attitude towards learning and increase students’ motivation and perseverance.

Continuously assess and refine your teaching methods based on student feedback and performance data. Use formative assessments to gather information about students’ understanding and adjust your instruction accordingly. Regularly reflect on your teaching practices and seek opportunities for professional development to stay informed about educational research and innovations.

Create opportunities for students to take ownership of their learning. Encourage self-assessment and goal-setting to help students become more autonomous and motivated learners. Providing choices in assignments and learning activities can also increase student engagement and investment in their education.

By adopting these best practices, you can create a learning environment that maximizes student potential and achievement. Fostering student success requires a commitment to continuous improvement, inclusivity, and a student-centered approach to teaching and learning.