Interactive learning is a powerful way to engage students and cover material in a way that increases retention. One study found students felt like they learned more through lecture-based learning, but they actually learned and retained more through hands-on activities. When students have fun and actively engage with concepts, they don’t notice that they’re learning. Other studies found similar results, highlighting how students retain more when they take control of what and how they learn. This applies to younger kids up to college students.
Engage your students with dynamic lesson plans that captivate and inspire. By incorporating interactive elements, teachers can transform the classroom experience into an engaging, participatory adventure. Here are six best practices to create interactive classroom activities that your students will love.
Build small activities into larger lesson plans
Interactive classroom activities can be intimidating for teachers worried about keeping up with curriculum demands or losing control of the classroom during class projects. However, you can build interaction into your lessons without losing an entire class period.
Microteaching is the process of developing 10-minute mini lessons that introduce new concepts or reinforce ideas. You can allocate a few minutes during the class period for an interactive activity and then bring your students back together to discuss what they learned.
These smaller activities can also help you break up difficult concepts. Small activities help students apply or reinforce ideas they just learned before they move on to the next parts of their lessons.
Strike a balance between screen time and tactical activities
Digital tools are immensely valuable for educators and students. However, you can still find value in activities that allow students to move around the classroom, and handle educational props. As you develop your interactive lesson plans, put together games, puzzles, and activities that balance the use of screens with other materials.
For example, you can build movement into your lesson plans so students can jump, dance, and stretch while learning. These activities are particularly useful to wake your class up in the morning or expel energy if they are antsy in the afternoon. You might be surprised at how much your class learns if they orbit around the classroom like planets or jump in place to solve multiplication problems.
Test what students know with rapid-fire reviews
Interactive classroom activities come in all shapes and sizes. You can create lessons that help students refresh themselves on valuable information at the start of the day or summarize what they learned.
For example, you can start the class by asking students to contribute to a Word Cloud related to a particular topic. You can also challenge each student to ask questions and lead a Q&A Activity to answer these queries. For another option, ask students to submit three new things they learned during the class period. Add speed to these activities to excite students. For example, you can ask them to write as many words within 30 seconds for a rapid-fire review.
Poll Everywhere is an excellent tool for classroom discussions and engaging lesson plans. Our activities and features were designed for higher education classrooms so you can effectively create interactive activities. These apps also create safe spaces for introverted students to participate, so everyone in your class has a voice.
Add emotions and opinions to your lesson plans
Many college students are still learning to express themselves. They want to share their ideas and opinions, especially if they are excited about the lessons. Let your students have a voice by adding space for discussion and reflection to your lesson plans.
For example, create a poll where students share how they feel about the material. They can rank their understanding on a scale of one to 10 or choose how they feel from a list of descriptive words. This allows your students to anonymously share if they need help while providing feedback on your lesson pacing.
Ask students to write reflections on the material. These interactive elements give students agency and add emotional connections to what they learn. If a student feels excited because they mastered a concept, they are more likely to remember it or feel optimistic about similar lessons in the future.
Break students into groups to complete activities
Dividing students into groups is a great way to let them review core concepts. Students too shy to speak up in front of the whole class might feel safer sharing ideas with their peers. Group work also allows you to move from one pod to the next, spending more time with groups that need extra help.
Breaking college students into groups also benefits professional development. By taking on a large project together, they can develop essential workplace skills like delegation, communication, and teamwork. The lessons they hone in your classroom can be applied for decades after graduation.
Try to make sure students have different groups each time. This allows them to work with peers who have different ability levels and confidence in the material.
Let your college students play
Interactive classroom activities aren’t just for younger kids with shorter attention spans who are still learning to sit still. These tools can improve your college teaching experiences while making your lessons more interesting.
College classes don’t have to be stoic and serious. You can ditch the lectures and let your students engage in various challenges and puzzles related to the material. This will also make your university students more likely to attend class, even if you have a dreaded 8 a.m. start time.
Adults need to play as much as kids do. Fun activities can make adolescents and young adults feel better, boost their creativity, and reduce their stress levels. Even microactivities to start the class period can have a big impact.
Add several interactive classroom activities to your lesson plans
You don’t have to pick a single interactive lesson style to engage your students. Start the week with a refresher Word Cloud and then use paired work, movement, and emotional reflections for the following days. Develop a vast toolkit of activities to engage students and challenge what they know. Even small activities can liven your lessons and make them more memorable.
Discover the wide range of Activities offered by Poll Everywhere. From Q&A sessions to interactive classroom polls, Poll Everywhere is your go-to tool for digital student engagement. Experience the difference Poll Everywhere can make in your classroom today. Try it now and transform your teaching approach.
