Using Interactive Web Platforms to Increase Student Engagement
In our previous articles, we spoke about using themes and creating reward structures to incentivise student participation in the classroom. Here, we share some web-platforms that we have found to be useful in our online workshops.
1. Random pickers
In Project ID workshops, we often use a random picker to introduce an element of chance to break the silence. This can be integrated in 2 main ways: (1) to select a student to respond, or (2) as a tool to randomly select a reward when a student actively participates.
We have particularly enjoyed using wheelofnames.com, because of the ability to insert custom graphics (see image for an example of a customised wheel by Cikgu Huda during YEC Bootcamp). Canva and Unsplash are great resources to easily create these visuals.
1. Gamified quizzes - Quizizz
Quizizz is a fun way to quiz students at the end of a lessons. It does a really good job of gamifying quizzes and students have told us they enjoy the in-built memes and power-ups. We found that Quizizz is most effective when there is a connection between the lesson and quiz, as well as a pre-existing reward structure in place.
During YEC Bootcamp, Quizizz was used as a platform for the Wildcard Challenge — where winners are given a chance to present during YEC and compete for scholarships in Sunway College. The lesson plan, rewards structures and competitive nature culminated to provide strong incentive for students to be more attentive during the workshops.
In the classroom, this would realistically translate into smaller, more repeatable rewards. Some ideas from our students include reduced homework, access to more learning resources and ability to choose what the next lesson topic is.
Other alternatives that we have explored are Kahoot! and Baamboozle, both serving a similar role in our lessons.
3. Visual polling - Mentimeter
For visual polling on live classes in Zoom or Google Meets, Mentimeter is a fun way to engage our visual learners with dynamic figures that update live as students enter their answers.
We found that Mentimeter polls work well at the beginning of lessons to warm the students up and start their interaction with the lesson material early. We found that visual polls like this help students feel like they are a part of the class and are more likely to stay engaged and participate actively throughout as a result of it.
What platforms have you been using in your classes and how have they been working out? Feel free to drop a comment below!
This article was written by Alexander Khor, a Programme Associate for Project ID with the research and support of Ang Chiew Teng, a Programme Lead for Project ID.
Project ID is an education social enterprise that runs high-impact programmes empowering students to lead self and others with 21st century skills. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, Project ID has run over 70 online workshops with more than 1600 student participation across Malaysia.
