To improve student participation during a course, here are a few ideas that I have experimented with:

Make it workshop or project based

Turn the education model into a workshop or project-based experience.

Focus on coaching

Take students individually and ask them what challenges they are currently facing and what type of exchange they need with you to overcome that challenge.

Read more: What are the different coaching styles or modes?

Co-design with students

Ask students to co-design the course with you and to adapt it as it evolves.

Make them teach instead.

Who said you have to do the teaching. In fact, when students do the teaching they often learn more.

Use randomness

Use a random generator to pick a student's name and a random action. For example, ask a question, add an idea and develop a counterargument.

I've used the website Wheelofnames to create such random generators.

This stimulates students to stay aware during the course as they know they may have to answer a question or do something.