#whatisschool The Interactive Classtroom

The Interactive Classroom

Interactivity in the classroom, building stronger teacher-student 

and student to student relations.

Thomas sits at his desk and picks up his entry ticket, today's question is on whether environmental changes are effecting the local marine life population.  Halfway around the world Maria studies for a test by playing Kahoot with her friends while Adam, an elementary autism student, used Nearpod  to explore a 3D immersive panoramic of a farm and answer questions with his classmates. These are just a few examples of the ways educators are pairing interactivity with education to enhance learning, get feedback and gather data on student learning.

Classroom interactivity increases student's ability to think critically, problem solve and analyze.  It can provide important feedback for teachers allowing them to adjust pacing or teaching style to better engage their student community.  It creates stronger bonds between students and the teacher-student community and allows children to practice team building strategies in low risk settings.

Diversified learning models and technology have increased opportunities for classroom interactivity, but can also leave educators pressed for time and faced with mounting class loads wondering how to most effectively blend traditional and technological platforms  to increase interactivity in the classroom.  

This week #whatisschool explores the interactive classroom.   Join me, Laura Hill (@candylandcaper) and co-host Mark Weston (@shiftparadigm) , as we take a closer look at ways to engage students, foster community and build collaborative classroom platforms using technology. 

#whatisschool Questions

Q1: How can you engage students to foster community amongst peers and with teaching staff?

Q2: What types of interactive strategies (enter/exit tickets, pair/share, debate, role play) have you used, how did they work out?

Q3: What technologies have you employed (Nearpod, Kahoot) to increase interactivity, what were the results?

Q4: How can traditional strategies and technology be blended to enhance lessons and provide critical feedback to educators?

Q5: What tools, training or environmental enhancements would be most helpful to educators creating an interactive classroom?

Q6: How can interactivity foster skills that will help students succeed in school and post school life, and cope with a sometimes isolating technological world.