Remote Learning Best Practices: 5 Tips for Online Teaching

Remote learning can feel like trying to juggle while riding a unicycle—tricky, sometimes awkward, and we all secretly worry we’re doing it wrong. Whether it’s students losing focus, unclear instructions causing confusion, or figuring out how to use new tech without losing your mind, keeping everything running smoothly is tough.

But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to stay that way. If you stick with me, we’ll tackle these common challenges head-on, and I’ll give you practical tips to make remote learning easier, friendlier, and even a bit enjoyable.

Ready? We’ll talk about setting up a comfortable learning space, keeping everyone interested, giving clear instructions, smart ways to use tech, and the power of being real and supportive.

1. Create an Effective Learning Environment

Okay, let’s get real—having a comfy, distraction-free zone is the backbone of any online classroom.

Considering that 75% of schools in the U.S. already planned to operate entirely online or hybrid, setting up a solid learning environment isn’t just nice-to-have; it’s necessary.

A great place to start is making sure your virtual classroom feels inviting and straightforward to navigate—think of it like a neat and tidy digital desk.

Keep it organized: have clear sections for course materials, discussions, and assignments, and stick to consistent labeling.

Another smart move is adding educational visuals or infographics because let’s face it, endless chunks of text don’t excite anyone.

And here’s a pro tip: create a simple, engaging welcome video to introduce yourself—it’s a relaxed, human way for students to get to know who they’re learning from right off the bat.

2. Engage Students Actively

No one signed up to passively stare at a screen; engaging students online is trickier but totally doable with the right strategies.

Don’t fall into the trap of talking at students—get conversations going with thoughtful questions, informal polls, and casual check-ins.

A short opinion poll during a live lesson on Zoom or Google Meet can do wonders to wake up sleepy learners and spark awesome discussions.

You should regularly offer interactive quizzes—here’s a simple guide on how to create a quiz for students that your class will actually enjoy.

And definitely mix up your lessons with educational videos and multimedia content—after all, videos make up over 80% of online activity, with education playing a big role in that.

Remember, frequent small engagement touchpoints throughout your lessons keep students involved and curious.

3. Communicate Clearly and Provide Feedback

Honestly, there’s nothing worse than finishing an assignment online and getting radio silence from the teacher.

Establish a friendly tone right from the start; students need to feel confident reaching out without feeling like they’re inconveniencing you.

A straightforward way to keep communication open is through weekly updates—short emails summarizing key points or posting quick announcements directly into an LMS built to ease communication, whether that’s Canvas, Blackboard, or Google Classroom.

Providing timely, clear feedback isn’t just a nicety—it’s crucial for effective online teaching, and it helps students understand exactly how they’re progressing in the course.

Practical tip: use video or audio messages instead of long written feedback—it saves both of you time and adds a personal touch.

If your students ever feel confused about lesson goals or how they’re being evaluated, check out this quick read on how to make a course syllabus—you might find handy tips to clarify your teaching goals and strategies.

4. Use EdTech Tools Wisely

Ever felt overwhelmed seeing countless edtech tools claiming they’ll totally improve your teaching? You’re definitely not alone.

Truth is, less can often be more here. While edtech is fantastic—after all, the online learning market is expected to grow to around $325 billion globally by 2025—you don’t need every shiny app out there (check out some of the top options from this list of online learning platforms).

First things first, pick tools based on the problem you’re trying to solve, not just what’s cool or trending.

Start with your LMS (learning management system)—whether it’s Canvas, Blackboard, or even something simple like Google Classroom—and really get to know its features first before expanding.

For making awesome content, tools like Canva for visuals or Loom for quick videos can keep students happy (visuals always win, right?).

Interactive quizzes with tools like Kahoot or Quizlet engage learners instantly and let you monitor their understanding in real-time.

Also, don’t overlook simple communication tools like Slack or Discord—they’re relaxed enough that students actually enjoy using them (think group chats, but school-approved).

One final note: respect your students’ limits. Constantly throwing new tech at them can cause fatigue—so balance your EdTech use and avoid overwhelming young learners.

5. Show Authenticity and Empathy

Let’s face it: teaching online isn’t always a smooth ride, and pretending you’re in total control all the time won’t fool anyone.

Instead, show students you’re human by being honest and authentic—this goes further than you might think in building trust with them.

Let students occasionally see behind the curtain—a small story about overcoming a tech mishap or navigating your first teaching year can help you connect and feel relatable.

Beyond authenticity, empathy is key—online learning can leave students feeling isolated, especially with 61% of college undergrads enrolled in at least one distance course.

Regular check-ins, real conversations—not just about assignments, but how they’re actually doing—makes a huge difference in creating a sense of belonging online.

Offering personal support, like one-on-one virtual office hours, helps students feel heard and valued individually.

You might also set clear but flexible due dates, showing empathy for students juggling multiple responsibilities at home or work.

Being genuine about your own learning journey and open to feedback signals to learners that you’re there with them—not just above them—and fosters real connection.

6. Structure Content for Clarity

If you’ve ever stepped into an online course and quickly gotten lost, you already get why clear structure is so necessary.

Online content should be straightforward, logical, easy-to-follow—especially since students aren’t physically there to ask quick clarifying questions.

Start by breaking everything down into bite-sized, manageable chunks: think units and lessons rather than giant blocks of content.

Labels matter too—make sure lessons, resources, and assignments all have clear titles so students know exactly what they’re clicking into.

Another useful trick: each lesson should clearly state objectives and outcomes at the beginning, guiding your students straight through to the finish line (if you’re unsure how, here’s an easy guide on creating a clear course outline).

Quick summaries at the end of lessons help reinforce key points and keep everything crystal-clear.

Variety is great, but try sticking to a consistent format and posting schedule to keep learners comfortable.

Following structure guidelines like this creates clarity, boosts learner confidence, and limits those frustrating “where’s my assignment again?” emails.

7. Encourage Collaboration and Community

Learning online can sometimes feel lonely—building connections really matters to lessen that ‘just me and my screen’ vibe.

Regular group activities keep your online classroom buzzing: think group discussions, project-based assignments, or even casual shared document collaborations.

Students appreciate platforms like Google Docs and Padlet, making group work easy without trying too hard.

Cross-functional groups, where students rotate roles like note-taker or presenter each week, help with accountability and preventing someone from always taking (or avoiding!) the lead.

Speaking of community, nurturing online discussion forums consistently is key—try posing open-ended questions weekly to spark meaningful chats.

Let students teach each other occasionally—they love taking charge and it boosts class morale and self-confidence.

Don’t underestimate casual chats either—virtual coffee breaks or open Zoom hangouts can recreate that informal classroom atmosphere everyone misses.

8. Prioritize Accessibility and Inclusivity

Whether teaching in person or online, inclusivity shouldn’t be optional—making sure every learner has equal access is essential.

First rule: always caption videos and add transcripts to all audio content, as easy-to-follow captions aren’t just good manners—they’re essential.

Keep materials available in various formats—text-based, audio-based, video content—to cater to diverse learning styles and needs (here’s a practical guide on how to create educational videos that actually work for different learners).

Make sure your LMS and digital materials follow accessibility standards: simple fonts, clean layouts, alt-text on images, and contrast-friendly colors.

If you’ve got synchronous sessions, always record and share afterward, as this helps students facing internet issues or home distractions.

Check regularly with your students to see if they need accommodations or face technical challenges—stay welcoming so they’ll feel comfortable speaking up without worry.

Ultimately, inclusive practices remove barriers, letting everyone actively participate and succeed, not just the majority.

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