Mastering Classroom and Online Engagement: Transforming Your Teaching for Maximum Impact

In the ever-evolving world of education, the ability to truly engage students—whether in-person or online—has never been more essential. And yet, for many of us, keeping our students excited, connected, and motivated can feel like an uphill battle. That’s exactly why I created our latest podcast episode, "Mastering Classroom and Online Engagement: Transforming Teaching Techniques for Success.” This episode is packed with insights and actionable strategies designed to help educators, whether you're just starting out or have been teaching for years, elevate your teaching game and make a lasting impact on your students.

One of the core messages in this episode is the power of making lessons engaging and relatable. I speak from experience here—my years as an English literature teacher for teenage boys taught me that if I didn’t make the material come alive, I’d lose them fast! Over time, I found that strategies like storytelling, relatable examples, and interactive activities turned even the most “boring” topics into something that resonated with them. Storytelling, in particular, was a game-changer. Framing complex ideas within a narrative helped my students not only understand the material but remember it long after the lesson ended. When we can weave stories into our teaching, we give students a framework to hang new knowledge on—and that framework is far more durable than a list of facts.

But what about online teaching? Well, it comes with its own unique set of challenges. Unlike a physical classroom, you can’t read the room as easily, adjust your tone, or use body language to keep students’ attention. Instead, you have to plan engagement into every detail. In the episode, I share a roadmap to help you do just that—from setting clear goals and creating small wins to planning for interactive elements that mimic the energy of an in-person classroom. It’s all about structure and intention. And for those of you using platforms like Kajabi, Teachable, or Thinkific, there’s good news: these platforms are built with engagement in mind. They offer features like quizzes, discussion boards, and gamification tools that make it easier to create a course students will actually stick with.

Another piece we dive into is building personal connections online—something that can feel tricky but is absolutely achievable with the right approach. A few simple touches, like a welcome video, milestone messages, or a live Q&A session, can create a sense of connection that keeps students feeling supported, even from a distance. Tools like Typeform for quizzes and Badger for gamification are fantastic for building those personal touches and providing feedback that feels immediate and meaningful.

Then there’s scaffolded learning—a technique that’s as powerful online as it is in person. Essentially, scaffolded learning is about breaking down content into smaller, manageable pieces, allowing students to build confidence as they go. For online courses, where students often feel overwhelmed by massive blocks of information, scaffolded learning can make all the difference. By structuring your course into bite-sized lessons and giving students a clear sense of progress, you’re creating an environment where they can feel proud of each step forward.

And for anyone feeling intimidated by the tech side of online teaching, trust me—you’re not alone. I was there once, too, but platforms like Kajabi and Teachable have made it easier than ever to create and deliver high-quality courses without a technical headache. These platforms handle everything from video uploads to payment processing, allowing you to focus on what you do best: teaching.

One strategy I’ve found especially effective—both online and in the classroom—is storytelling. When you frame a new concept as a story, you create an emotional connection that makes the material stick. This is something I used constantly with my English lit students, and it made a world of difference in their comprehension and enthusiasm. Even in online courses, storytelling can be transformative. Visual aids, like infographics or dynamic slides, can add another layer of engagement, appealing to students who might otherwise feel lost in text-heavy content.

We also talk about interactive elements—a must-have in any effective online course. Prompts that encourage students to discuss, reflect, or respond create a sense of virtual dialogue and make the learning experience feel dynamic rather than one-sided. Whether it’s a reflection question at the end of each module or a discussion board for students to share ideas, these elements make students feel part of a community, not just consumers of content.

Finally, the episode wraps up with one of the most crucial (yet often overlooked) aspects of online teaching: feedback loops. In a classroom, you can provide feedback on the spot, but online teaching requires a bit more planning to make students feel supported. Quizzes, assignments, and discussion forums all offer excellent opportunities to provide that essential feedback. And don’t underestimate the power of peer review—it can mimic the collaborative atmosphere of a classroom and help students feel more connected to each other.

In summary, "Mastering Classroom and Online Engagement" is your roadmap to creating impactful, engaging learning experiences, whether you’re in front of a classroom or behind a screen. By using techniques like storytelling, interactive activities, scaffolded learning, and personal touches, you can turn your teaching into something that students won’t just complete—they’ll remember, talk about, and carry forward with them. Because at the end of the day, teaching isn’t just about delivering content; it’s about creating experiences that resonate, inspire, and transform.

So, tune in to this episode, and let’s make your teaching as engaging as it is educational. With the right strategies, tools, and a bit of creativity, you can create courses that truly make an impact.

 Results are not guaranteed. Please see earnings disclaimer for more detail.