Nowadays, it is easier to imagine a classroom with some technological device. The younger generations are familiar with technology from a young age and can be seen using their laptops and tablets to navigate the world around them.
Instead of banning tech tools, why not make them part of the learning process? Use these tools to encourage student engagement in your classroom.
Table of Contents
Personalized Learning
The term “personalized learning” covers a wide range of educational methods. Whether using adaptive software that adjusts to student skill levels or project-based learning, personalized learning encourages students to take control of their academic journeys. It allows them to set short and long-term goals, which can help them feel empowered and motivated to succeed.
Students can use technology tools like online platforms, discussion forums, and video conferencing to connect and collaborate with peers locally and globally. They can explore virtual field trips and learn about subjects that interest them from experts in those fields.
Adaptive learning tools use algorithms to adapt the content of textbooks and other learning materials to student interests, strengths, and weaknesses. Moreover, virtual and augmented reality technology allows students to explore historical sites, conduct science experiments, and visualize complex concepts, all from the comfort of their classrooms. Additionally, it promotes intercultural understanding and collaboration between students who attend different schools worldwide. These strategies reinforce the technology tools to engage students and equip them with the skills they need to succeed in school and the workplace.
Collaborative Learning
When students work collaboratively with peers, it encourages them to develop their social-emotional skills while building expertise in specific subjects. It also helps them to grow as learners by practicing discussion and argumentation.
However, collaboration can be challenging for instructors because it requires that students actively engage with course material in ways that lecturing alone cannot. For this reason, it is crucial to plan and sequence collaborative learning activities carefully. In addition, instructors should provide clear instructions to students on the purpose and rationale of each activity. They should also provide students with collaborative working rules and time for them to ask questions about these rules.
Instructors can also use online tools to help facilitate the collaboration process, such as group writing projects, discussion forums, or video conferencing software. Instructors can use these tools to keep track of their student’s progress and offer prompt feedback. They can assign individual students to lead discussions or act as group note-takers. It can increase the quality of conversations and help students become more engaged in class.
Gamification
In recent years, gamification has gained popularity as an educational tool to increase student engagement. Gamification involves adding gaming elements, such as levels, badges, and points, to learning tasks, often in online games. It has been shown to improve learning and motivation in students and is an excellent tool for promoting collaboration among students, an essential skill for the future workforce.
Gamified learning can be used in many ways in the classroom, from creating a game to review class notes to replacing traditional grading systems with one based on experience points that reward accomplishments. Additionally, a visual indication of progress in a lesson or course can be helpful to motivate learners by showing them how much time they have left to complete the task.
However, it is essential to note that not all students will respond positively to gamification and that it is necessary to meet each student where they are regarding their learning needs, experiences, and beliefs about education.
Social Interaction
Social interaction is the ability to interact and communicate with others. It is crucial in the classroom as it helps students develop their skills and learn from each other.
In addition, being socially connected can positively impact a person’s mental and physical health. Studies have shown that people who feel less connected experience higher stress and anxiety levels.
One way to increase social interaction is through online discussion forums, chat rooms, and video conferences. This technology is beneficial for students facing difficulties in a conventional classroom environment. Another quite innovative tool is virtual reality (VR). Thanks to VR, students can be transported to different places and eras, which helps them better grasp the subject matter they are studying.
These tools can be a powerful way to improve student engagement, but educators must understand how to utilize these technologies in the classroom best. When considering the use of educational tools, it is vital to determine the desired learning outcomes and how the tools can assist in achieving them. It will help to optimize the benefits while minimizing any potential risks.
Assessment
Assessment is a continuous process that aids teachers and students in comprehending what works, what does not, and how to enhance. Unlike summative assessments or performance reviews, formative assessment is focused on the learning process and can be adjusted to address identified needs.
For example, if students struggle with an assignment, you can use adaptive technology to adjust the questions or content level based on their responses or virtual and augmented reality tools to give students immersive experiences, such as exploring historical sites, conducting science experiments, or visualizing complex concepts. These authentic tasks help build students’ engagement and mastery over content while equipping teachers with detailed insights into student performance that they can leverage to make future lessons more engaging.
Students also appreciate the challenge that a diversity of assessment points creates, especially when they can receive timely feedback. This reflective practice helps them articulate their learning, deepen their knowledge and skills, and prepare them for future academic work. Furthermore, when students know their feedback is essential, they are likelier to give it consistently and honestly.
