Technology is no longer just a new cool thing. It's the norm, and it has penetrated various industries today, including the classrooms. Gone are the days when learning in the classroom was confined only to books, teachers were writing on traditional blackboards, and presentations were handwritten.
Today, technology is shaping the way learning is achieved in class. A key to elevating the learning experience in a physical classroom setting is by using digital devices and apps. Classes can now be held online in a distance learning arrangement, where you’ll see your teacher or instructor and even your classmates sometimes.
However, teachers are still universally faced with the same problem they had in a traditional setting even with smart classrooms. This concerns the need to improve student engagement. The following are insights on how to improve student engagement in a smart classroom effectively:
- Use Videoconference Links
Students like it when they have a break from facing the same instructor throughout the entire semester. It would be a welcome breather for them if you'd have other speakers take over a session or two. This gives students something to look forward to, as a break from the usual cycle of learning.
Moreover, inviting notable and interesting speakers is more attainable today, all thanks to technology. A smart classroom is already equipped with a good internet connection and the best gadgets. Thus, you can easily opt for a virtual video conference. That way, you can keep your lessons interesting by having a mix of both video and audio learning for your students to enjoy.
- Start A Collaborative Class Forum, Chat, Or Discussion Board
Another characteristic of a smart classroom is that it fosters better communication and connectivity in both learners and instructors. This is where having a collaborative class forum, chat, or discussion board comes in handy. You can increase student engagement when they have a platform to discuss and share class resources with their peers safely.
From the end of the teacher, you can also easily send online resources in that classroom chat or discussion board. This makes it easier for students to stay in the loop with the lessons. Participation in assignments may also be improved when there’s the ease of submission methods through that online platform.
- Use Multimedia Presentation Software
The use of PowerPoint for presentations isn’t necessarily a new thing. Even before the idea of smart classrooms was coined, several tech-savvy instructors have already resorted to making presentations through this program. This is at a higher level than how the case would have been with traditional reporting when it comes to driving students' interest and engagement.
Today, presentations have become more engaging, with better graphics, videos, and special effects. When teaching younger kids, in particular, using multimedia presentation software to make lessons more interesting has so far been an easy way to get their attention.
The more fun and interactive your lessons are, the higher the chances your students will participate and stay focused. This is because they’re no longer bored with long bouts of texts and reading from their books.
- Incorporate Learning Games
In a smart classroom, the availability of a good internet connection is no longer in question. This also means that every student will at least have one smart device, be it a laptop or an iPad or any tablet, for instance. Because of this, you can also make use of fun, interactive learning games, according to the grade level you’re teaching.
Have at least one day in a month or every two weeks dedicated to those fun, learning games. Soon enough, you’ll begin to notice a change in your classroom atmosphere. Students will no longer be dismissive in class. Now, they're more attuned to participating and engaging with each other.
The reason behind this is they now see the instructor as someone who also knows how to have fun. They don’t have to dread going through an entire class filled solely with discussions that go on until class dismissal.
There are so many different learning games you can now find online. If you want to increase student engagement, you can even go as far as taking in suggestions from your students if there’s any learning game they’d like to play.
Conclusion
Student engagement is crucial in all learning setups. You can’t say you’ve gotten the lessons across to your students when there is poor engagement. You’ll notice this when students don’t cooperate, participate, or are getting bored with your lessons. Having a smart classroom is already an advantage in itself, so you've got to make good use of it. The tips mentioned here should be insightful enough to achieve better student engagement.
