Continuing the pedagogical approach of intentional use of technology in teaching and learning, this second article in the three-part series builds on the first, Leverage technology to support lesson creation and instruction.
While our students are likely digital natives and have had many forms of technology at their disposal since they came into the world, that doesn't mean they will automatically connect with technology in schools in a meaningful way. Furthermore, with the wide options of tools and platforms available, we, as teachers, must use them for specific purposes in order to improve learning outcomes.
Below are strategies for using technology to engage students in academic content that has the potential to develop students' presence in learning and contribute to deeper learning.
Leveraging animated content
Sharing the core content with students usually happens at the beginning of the lesson and can sometimes be boring for students. This usually has nothing to do with the presenter of the lesson content, but rather with the content itself and/or its novelty.
One way to engage students in lessons is to use animation to present content. This can be done quickly through an educational technology tool such as powtoon. You can also use bitmojis or other popular characters that interest your students to present your content in a fun and engaging way.
Additionally, since the animated content will be recorded, students will be able to listen to the recording and interact with it more than once, which is not possible through a live lesson. By rewatching the lesson, students will be able to gain a deeper understanding of the content and will be able to learn something they missed the first time (for example, watching a movie again and learning new things).
Using gamified learning
Gamification is not new to education, but some of the available games created specifically for education are new or have been modified to create more robust experiences.
Digital escape roomsFor example, you can create extremely engaging learning environments where students can connect with lesson content while developing their critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills. Lisa Whiston offers guidance on how Use Nearpod to create a digital escape room.
iCivics is a great website for gamifying social studies, history, and political science content, and games are already developed there. Additionally, there are game trailers so students can decide if they're interested in the game before playing, as well as Google Slides integrations for teachers to connect games to lessons.
Other popular games like Roblox and minecraft There are other options to consider, depending on the content and objectives of the lesson.
Exploring experiential experiences
Experiential learning has always been a pillar of engagement, and the educational technology platforms available offer many avenues for students to “learn while doing,” as the late John Dewey stated.
Provide students with opportunities to participate in virtual labs and simulations through sites such as PhET and laboratory They are great options for STEM lessons, including biology, chemistry, earth and space sciences, physics, statistics, and a variety of math topics.
If you're interested in taking students to visit museums and other arts and cultural sites but don't have the time or funds, virtual field trips are a great way to keep students engaged while also exposing them to rich artifacts. and varied. tech & Learning has selected a best virtual excursions list. Besides, Google Art and Culture and Google Earth Both offer engaging ways for students to connect with a wide range of content and engage seamlessly in lessons.
As you can see, there are countless opportunities to engage students in lessons across all academic content areas. With many options, students can choose what interests them most and connect to learning authentically.
