Boosting Interactivity and Engagement in Your College Classroom: Three Tools to Explore

To aid students in higher education attain the desired learning outcomes especially while learning in the online formats, interactivity and engagement are two important aspects to consider in the design of course materials. This is because interactivity and engagement can help break down the barriers between the students and the materials they are learning, help keep students on track especially those with short attention spans, boost motivation and confidence levels, as well as provide students with an opportunity to practice the concepts they are learning. When students are actively engaged in their learning, they are better able to retain and apply the information and knowledge acquired more effectively.

Advantages and Challenges of Using EdTech Tools

Although interactivity and engagement can be fostered through nondigital formats, there are numerous benefits as well as challenges involved with using educational technology tools for these purposes. This is even more imperative for online learning modalities since students who are learning asynchronously or synchronously online spend a great deal of time working through learning materials on their own. Therefore, the implementation of educational technology tools can go a long way to promote interactivity and engagement for learners.

Every course instructor wants to improve their students’ performance, and educational technology tools can help accomplish this. Educational technology tools can accelerate learning, add fun opportunities for the students to practice what they have learned, as well as enable them to explore new topics and deepen their understanding of complex concepts. Additionally, educational technology tools can foster collaboration among students. Students can interact with one another through lessons and learning games in addition to engaging with their instructor. They can share their ideas and thoughts and support each other through collaborative activities where they can work to solve problems.

However, regardless of the numerous benefits mentioned, there are also challenges associated with the use of educational technology tools. One of the most widely publicized and fascinating uses of educational technology is the variety of educational programs to which different students are exposed based on how big data applications have appraised their potential learning profiles. These programs, which are often described as personalized learning, have raised several ethical questions and concerns. Other challenges of using educational technology tools involve their implementation and use, which often require additional training for both course instructors and students to ensure that the requite knowledge and skills are present. There are additional concerns over excessive screen time spent by students while using educational technology tools, the effectiveness of instructors’ use of the technology, as well as concerns over technology equity.

Top Three Suggested Applications/Tools for Interactivity and Engagement

• Flip

The first suggested application/tool is Flip (formerly Flipgrid). Flip is a video discussion platform that allows an instructor to assign discussion prompts to students which then enables the students to seamlessly respond to the prompts by recording and uploading their own videos. As an online application, there are no external connections required to use Flip. Flip can be easily integrated within the learning management system, such as Canvas, by embedding the direct link into an assignment or discussion page, which allows the instructor to create a sense of community in the virtual space.

While there are subscription options to use Flip, there is also a free option where the instructor can simply create an account on the website and access the features. There are no hidden costs to using Flip. Flip is very user-friendly for first-time users and the company provides tutorials to get users acquainted with using the platform. Users can get help by visiting the Flip webpage when things do not work as expected or for other form of support. Flip can be used in both asynchronous and synchronous distance learning settings.

• NearPod

NearPod is another suggested application/tool. It transforms any existing material uploaded, such as PowerPoint Presentation, video, or image into an interactive lesson for students. An instructor can add formative assessments using polls, open-ended questions, and more, to the instructional media in a few clicks. Questions can also be added directly to videos to make them more interactive. Alternatively, an instructor can choose to use the available lessons and videos found within the in-built library of NearPod created in partnership with prominent brands to develop instructional materials. These can be used as is, or customized to meet the instructor’s unique classroom needs. NearPod can be integrated within the learning management system or run as a stand-alone application.

The instructional content developed using NearPod can be launched in either of three modes: live participation, student-paced, or front of class. In live participation mode, students participate on their devices either in person or remotely through web conferencing. In student-paced mode, students can participate on their own asynchronously whether at home or in class working in groups. With front of class mode, Nearpod can be used without student devices and the instructor can facilitate collaborative discussions.

There are subscription and free options to use NearPod. While there are no hidden costs to using NearPod, instructors hosting classes of more than 30 students will need to have a subscription which unlocks both capacity and advanced features of NearPod. NearPod is also very user-friendly for first-time users and the company provides tutorials to get users acquainted with using the platform. Users can get troubleshooting assistance by visiting Nearpod support.

• Kahoot!

Lastly, Kahoot! is a game-based learning platform that allows instructors to run game-like quizzes and build presentations with embedded quizzes. As an interactive tool, Kahoot! makes studying easier. Instructors can help students prepare for tests and examinations by transforming their lesson topics into a virtual game show. Kahoot! works for any subject, any language, and on any device. Instructors can also leverage the Kahoot! library of pre-developed games, and do not necessarily have to start from scratch. Kahoot! can be easily integrated within the learning management system by embedding the direct link into an assignment page.

Kahoot! can be played in a live session with the questions on a big screen, which allows the instructor to create a sense of community in the classroom, or on mobile devices in a remote classroom setting. Kahoot! offers both free and paid subscription plans. With the free plan, instructors are limited to multiple choice and true/false question types, as well as a limit of 10 players per game. Kahoot! is user-friendly and easy to use for first-time users. Users can get help by visiting the support center when things don’t work as expected.

Conclusion

Implementation of educational technology tools in the classroom, whether in a synchronous, asynchronous, or blended classroom setting promotes interaction and engagement between students, course instructors, and the instructional materials. It can also help in the teaching of skills required in the real world which without technology might be otherwise complicated to teach. Even though the implementation of educational technology can reduce teacher-controlled instruction and focus on student interests, it is best used as a tool to enhance and assist the learning process, not to be the singular focus of learning. Therefore, technology as a way of life should be embraced with the understanding that it can improve pedagogy when applied decisively, however technology is a tool and cannot replace a teacher. Interactivity and engagement play a critical role in teaching and learning by increasing students’ interest in a topic, which can result in increased motivation and student-led investigations into the topic. Such engagement aids students in developing in-depth knowledge as well as an innovation mindset. Hence, technology can be leveraged to achieve this result.

About the Author

Chikezie (Chike) Ozuzu, MBA is an instructional designer and doctoral candidate who specializes in technology-based learning systems.