Best practices for teaching high school students online

A free guide for high school teachers on creating structured, engaging virtual classrooms

Online learning presents unique challenges for high school students - distraction, screen fatigue, and disengagement can all get in the way of meaningful learning. This resource was created to help educators tackle those issues head-on with strategies that are easy to implement and backed by classroom-tested results.
This downloadable guide is designed to help you build structure, boost collaboration, and encourage student ownership - all while supporting a more focused and effective classroom environment.

High School Guide-2

What’s inside

You’ll find classroom-tested tips and strategies for:

  • How to create structured small-group work that builds teamwork and accountability
  • Tips for assigning leadership roles that develop confidence and classroom responsibility
  • Ways to encourage participation, both verbal and nonverbal, to reach every type of learner
  • Strategies for asynchronous collaboration and flexible learning support
  • Practical examples of peer feedback, shared documents, and differentiated instruction

These strategies are flexible enough to work with any setup, and they align with what high school students need most: clear structure to stay focused and meaningful opportunities to actively contribute.

Who it’s for

This guide is for anyone supporting grades 9-12 in an online classroom - whether you're a teacher looking to improve engagement, a curriculum director building virtual programs, or an edtech leader seeking scalable strategies. It’s packed with practical ideas to help students stay motivated, complete assignments, and build the skills they need for life beyond high school - no specific platform required.

Each tip is rooted in developmental needs and teacher feedback, and includes simple setup instructions so you can get started right away.

 

Download the guide

Get practical ideas you can start using right away to support your junior high students online.