There are so many ways and tools out there right now that aim to increase student engagement during a lesson, of course the topic and content have to be high quality for any of them to even stand a chance of working! Below I'll outline a few different tools that can assist with student engagement, once you've got the relationships with kids and content in place.
Google Slides Q & A:
When you start your next slide presentation, consider using Google Slides with the new(ish) Q & A feature. Google has baked a back channel directly in to your Google Slides, which can be used as collaborative notes, a parking lot, or just a space for learners to put their questions while you are presenting. Once the Q & A has be used you can choose to keep the back channel when doing your next presentation or begin a new one! It's a great way to produce conversations around the topic you are presenting!
EdPuzzle: If you don't like the traditional slides approach to presenting and want a more hybrid or flipped approach, give EdPuzzle a shot. A video based tool that allows you to insert audio notes, reflection points, questions, and open ended responses. This tool works great as homework, independent work, in a flipped or rotational model situation!
Google Slides Q & A:
When you start your next slide presentation, consider using Google Slides with the new(ish) Q & A feature. Google has baked a back channel directly in to your Google Slides, which can be used as collaborative notes, a parking lot, or just a space for learners to put their questions while you are presenting. Once the Q & A has be used you can choose to keep the back channel when doing your next presentation or begin a new one! It's a great way to produce conversations around the topic you are presenting!
EdPuzzle: If you don't like the traditional slides approach to presenting and want a more hybrid or flipped approach, give EdPuzzle a shot. A video based tool that allows you to insert audio notes, reflection points, questions, and open ended responses. This tool works great as homework, independent work, in a flipped or rotational model situation!
Actively Learn: Actively Learn is the text based version of EdPuzzle mentioned above. Actively Learn is a website that allows you to take any text from around the web and insert questions, think aloud notes, highlights, discussion topics, and reflections point. They also have an entire library of pre-made article lessons and activities. Once a piece of desired reading is found it can be customized by the facilitator to include all, some, or none of the questions, notes, etc. PLUS they can add more of their own if they like!
You can sign-up for a free account at ActivelyLearn.com to see the features in action by going to the Catalog section of the tool or go to the linked example to see it from the learner side!
These are just three examples of the amazing tools that are out there to help increase student engagement throughout a lesson. One fantastic thing they all have in common is they get student active in the learning process, help them each experience things at their level, and bring their voice in to the conversation! Give one a shot today!
As always, thanks for reading, and I hope that you found this helpful! ~ Ryan
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