Web Tools as Icebreakers in Online Education

Abstract

The outbreak of Covid-19 has pushed almost all education-based institutions to migrate their available face-to-face teaching to online teaching. However, online education has posed challenges, especially for learners who are quiet and shy to speak and feeling hard to engage in the course content. At this point, turning Web 2.0 tools into icebreaker activities and incorporating them into online courses could help these students get motivated and develop active participation skills. This study took a selective and theoretical look into the literature about exploring potential Web 2.0 tools and prescribing how to use these tools as e icebreakers in hybrid or online courses. The findings highlighted many Web 2.0 tools and described how to utilize them in online learning platforms as e icebreakers. Suggestions about how to design Web 2.0 tool-involved e icebreakers are provided. The study has important implications for instructors striving to keep learners engaged in online or hybrid courses.