Top 5 Activities to Make Your Classrooms Interactive Now!

One of the major issues that I have faced in my teaching career is "Classroom Interaction". Classroom interaction can either make or break your students' learning experience. The main problem is that interaction only happens when both sides are indulged, but often what happens in classrooms is that teachers keep going on and on and don't give students the chance to speak, or when they do, the students do not reciprocate.

It was a huge challenge for me, especially during my early years as to how shall I increase student interaction in the classroom. But as I progressed in my career I learned/created various techniques to increase student interaction in classrooms. These techniques have helped me to increase student interaction massively, and as a result, it has also helped my students to learn better and faster.

You can consider using these techniques if you are a new teacher who requires some direction in their work. I teach primary and elementary classes, but these techniques also apply to other classes.

So let us begin!

• .       Use Active Learning Methods

Active learning means that students don't just sit and listen quietly. Instead, they get involved in learning by doing things like asking questions, sharing ideas, or solving problems. These activities help students think better, be more creative, and communicate effectively. Active learning also makes learning more interesting and gets students more engaged. Implementing this has helped me to increase student interaction by a big margin.

Some of the techniques I personally use to implement active learning methods are Organizing Debates, Role-Playing, Group Projects, and Class Discussions.

 

• .       Use technology

Using technology in the classroom can be really helpful. For instance, you can use online tools like polls or quizzes to see if students understand what they're learning, get their thoughts, or start conversations. You can also use things like videos, podcasts, or slides to present information in fun ways that suit different types of learners. Technology can also make it easy for students to work together and share ideas by using online platforms, blogs, or wikis to create and edit stuff together.

Technology tools that I use to make my classroom interactive are PlayFactile (for jeopardy style quiz) and Google Slides (to create interactive slides).

 

•       Continuously change your teaching methods and modes

Changing how you teach can make learning more interesting and prevent it from getting boring. When you use different ways to teach, you can help students who like different things, have different skill levels, and think in different ways. For instance, you can talk about new stuff, show how it's done, or give step-by-step lessons. Then, to make sure everyone understands, you can have group talks, debates, or fun activities. You can also teach in different ways, like in person, online, or a mix of both, so it's easier for everyone to learn.

 

• .       Design group work and peer learning

This one is my personal favourite and most effective way according to me. When students work together in groups or with a partner, it helps them learn from each other and cooperate. They can share ideas, help each other, and even question each other's thoughts. Doing this can make students more motivated, confident, and responsible for their learning. It also teaches them how to work well with others, which is an important skill. But, it's important for teachers to plan and guide these activities by setting goals, giving feedback, and handling any issues that might come up.

 

• .       Encourage student reflection and feedback

When students think about what they're learning and how they're doing, it can make their learning better. It helps them understand themselves and how they learn. It's like looking in a mirror to see how they're doing. When teachers and students talk about how things are going, it can help students see what they're good at and what they need to work on. This makes them do better and feel happier. Plus, it makes the classroom a friendly and trustworthy place where everyone respects each other.

 

Final Thoughts

Effective teaching is not just about delivering information but about engaging students actively, using various methods, and fostering a positive learning environment. Whether it's through active learning activities, technology integration, varied teaching approaches, group work, or encouraging reflection and feedback, educators have a wealth of tools and techniques at their disposal to enhance the learning experience. By embracing these strategies, we can create classrooms where students not only gain knowledge but also develop crucial skills, become more motivated learners, and feel valued as active participants in their own education. Ultimately, the journey of teaching and learning is a collaborative one, and by continually adapting and refining our methods, we can empower students to thrive academically and personally.

If you reached this far, I would like to sincerely thank you for reading the blog, if you liked it please consider sharing it. Also, do comment if you have some other methods to increase interaction in classrooms!

 Resources that I mentioned in this post:

https://www.playfactile.com/

https://docs.google.com/presentation/