As hybrid and global classrooms become the new norm, educational institutions are searching for ways to close the gap between students and meaningful learning. In the recent webinar “Fostering Student Engagement at the University of Tomorrow,” hosted by Canvas LMS and Wooclap, educators from Duke University and Heriot-Watt University shared how they’re tackling the challenge of engagement—and why tools that improve student engagement, or provides engaging classroom dynamics, make the difference.
Wooclap is an interactive platform designed to increase student participation through real-time polls, quizzes, word clouds, and other tools. Rooted in neuroeducation, it aims to improve comprehension and retention through active learning.
The platform is used by over 3 million educators and 50 million learners in more than 150 countries. It integrates with major learning management systems like Canvas and Moodle, allowing instructors to gather feedback and track engagement during both in-person and online sessions.
Wooclap also uses AI-powered content generation, which allows instructors to transform course materials—slides, videos, or documents—into dynamic assessments in seconds. As Arlène Botokro, Head of Learning Innovation at Wooclap, explained during the webinar:
“Teachers are expected to use multiple tools while navigating data-driven expectations… That’s why we’re trying to make sure that we really integrate within the tools that they already use.”
For Chris Lorch, Assistant Director of User Services at Duke University, it all starts with the students. “First identifying those teaching challenges… starts with understanding who our learners are and what they need to succeed,” he said. “Our students are increasingly diverse… so they’re learning on campus, online, and around the world.”
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted higher education. Leading to increased dropout rates and decreased enrollment. In the United States, undergraduate enrollment declined by 8% from 2019 to 2022, with notable decreases among Black, Hispanic, and low-income students.
In the United States, the shift to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed major challenges for students. According to a 2021 EDUCAUSE report surveying over 9,400 students across 58 institutions, 20% of students reported unreliable internet access, and 18% indicated their devices were not adequate for completing coursework. Additionally, many students struggled with maintaining motivation and engagement in online classes. These findings highlight the urgent need for universities to adopt strategies that foster active learning, improve digital accessibility, and support student success in virtual environments.
Post-Pandemic Classrooms and the Power of Feedback
Denny Roberts, Learning & Teaching Enhancement Manager at Heriot-Watt University, described how pandemic-era learning has shifted student behavior: “Trying to encourage conversations in the classroom has been maybe a little bit more challenging, because the students… did a lot more of their learning online.”
Learning platforms are effective at tracking online student activity, but they often fall short when it comes to measuring what happens inside the physical classroom. To close this gap, some universities are combining their learning management systems with interactive tools. This approach allows instructors to capture participation during live sessions, offering a more complete picture of student engagement across both virtual and in-person formats.
Colin Miller, Learning Technologist at Heriot-Watt, highlighted another major issue: feedback. “One of the campaigns students often get involved with is around feedback… Often the students don’t quite get how much feedback they are receiving. And something as immediate as Wooclap gives us the opportunity to really hone in on that.”
Some of Wooclap’s functions are designed to capture student confusion or hesitation in real time. When students signal that they’re unsure about a concept, it can prompt clarification or follow-up discussion during the session. This immediate feedback gives instructors a clearer sense of where students are struggling and helps them adjust explanations accordingly.
From Clickers to Cloud-Based Solutions
Earlier systems used in classrooms—such as hardware clickers—posed significant logistical issues, from battery failures to limited interactivity. These limitations, coupled with changes in learning environments, prompted institutions to reassess their teaching technologies. Some universities launched comprehensive evaluations of audience response tools, comparing options based on usability, integration, and pedagogical value. Also, softwares emerged as a much more affordable and versatile alternative to hardware solutions. They offer greater flexibility and scalability for diverse instructional needs
Duke’s approach was similarly deliberate. “We didn’t start with tools—we started with the people,” said Loarch . Rather than leading with features, the institution focused on conversations with instructors to understand their needs and priorities. Active learning strategies, accessibility, and compatibility with platforms like Canvas became key selection criteria.
Wooclap stood out during these reviews for its ability to support diverse teaching formats—whether synchronous or asynchronous, in-person or online. This user-centered approach led to the adoption of platforms that aligned not only with technical expectations but with the broader goal of fostering sustained student engagement.
Building Inclusive and Global Learning Spaces
Inclusivity emerged as a central concern in the discussion, particularly for institutions with diverse and geographically distributed student populations. In classrooms where learners come from different cultural backgrounds or educational systems, participation styles can vary significantly. Some students may hesitate to speak up in front of peers, especially in large or unfamiliar settings.
Interactive tools that allow for anonymous input or low-pressure participation were highlighted as useful in encouraging wider involvement. Even the tone and design of these platforms can affect how comfortable students feel. When the environment is approachable and flexible, students are more likely to engage, whether by answering questions, signaling confusion, or sharing ideas without having to speak out loud.
These features contribute to creating learning spaces where participation isn’t limited to the most outspoken students. Instead, they help ensure that a broader range of voices is heard, particularly in settings where engagement is part of assessment or classroom dynamics.
A Future of Active Learning
Active learning is more than a pedagogical buzzword—it is a proven method to boost academic outcomes. A meta-analysis of over 225 studies showed that active learning reduces failure rates from 32% to 21% and improves test performance significantly.
Although this study was published over a decade ago, its findings remain highly relevant today because the core principles of active engagement and student participation continue to underpin effective learning, regardless of technological or pedagogical advancements.
As education reshapes itself in the digital era, one thing is clear: engagement is a design principle. And Wooclap is helping institutions bring it to life.
