Classroom Interaction Methods & Tools
I have been trying to enrich the way we exchange ideas in a classroom. I know the topics enough to spur good conversations in class, but this is a technology class, so I use technology (2 types of technology in particular) to enrich classroom discussions.
Creative Response with Students Response System (SRS)By using SRS, all students are accountable for their participation in the classroom discussion. But let's not stop there. In-class discussion can be a lot more creative and engaging by allowing students to respond by drawing, annotation, and object manipulation - i.e., creative response types. Here are some examples.
Students Respond by Drawing You can use different combinations of question/response types and SRS.
Creative response type One of the ways I enrich classroom discussion is that I have students draw pictures and diagrams or add annotations to images, and I have them share their drawings and annotations with the whole class. It's such a great way for them to process their thoughts and present their ideas. And I do that with technology in order to make the whole process seamless. I currently use NearPod to do that. I am also exploring ClassFlow and Top Hat right now for the same purpose. With these tools, it's like we can exchange words and pictures at the same time. And the best part is that technology takes care of all the messy parts (i.e., collecting drawings, etc.) so students and I can focus on learning. |
2. Use rich media for Q&A
I use rich media such as videos and pictures for me to ask students questions and for students to answer my questions. My questions often require students to interact with pictures such as clicking somewhere on the picture or simply selecting one picture out of many. When I ask students questions, videos and pictures can make things more explicit and help students understand contexts better (and more fun), and it results in more student engagement.
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I currently use PollEverywhere to do it. Since PollEverywhere can be embedded within Google Slides, it creates a seamless transition from presentation to assessment or student response.
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