# data[].attributes.body
Lauren Mietelski: This teacher also created graphic organizers for the students during the research process and also for the content of their website.

# data[].attributes.headline
What makes this an active learning experience? 

# data[].attributes.subject
What makes this an active learning experience? 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
With new educational technology tools developing every day, the ability to create an interactive classroom is becoming easier than ever before. It may still be some time before we see the likes of interactive whiteboards in every classroom, or individual tablets on every student's desk. However, an increasing number of schools are making use of interactive technology to revolutionize the way their students learn.

Let's take a look at what the future could look like for schools that embrace interactive technology.

We'll have more flexibility with teaching methods

Interactive display technology can allow teachers to think outside the box and integrate more of their creative ideas than ever before when lesson planning. These tools can allow teachers to create lessons with mixed media, gamified elements, video clips and more, all with relatively minimal prep and planning.

My experiences working with schools and academies have taught me that teachers want software that's familiar and intuitive. Open platform solutions tend to be the most successful, because they give teachers the flexibility to switch between a variety of familiar applications with ease during a single lesson. Then, with teaching software like Avocor's Qwizdom OKTOPUS, which allows legacy teaching content to be incorporated into new presentations, teachers can combine old and new resources into unique lesson plans in minutes.

By making teaching strategies more flexible, teachers are better able to adapt their lessons to suit the learning styles of different students or classes. They could also switch up their lesson styles periodically to ensure students remain engaged throughout the school year.

We'll have more engaged students

When students can take ownership of their own learning, they become significantly more engaged in the learning material at hand. Eric Mazur, Professor of Physics and Applied Physics at Harvard School of Engineering, discovered this while lecturing his university students. He established that when students learn actively, they can no longer switch off from a lesson because they're forced to engage with the learning material.

Mazur believes that we can take inspiration from kindergarten classes, in which very young students have a greater ability to control their own learning through play. As kids grow, traditional classroom environments dampen this ability to play and interact with the learning material at hand. Kindergarten classes often feel loud and chaotic, but this is a sign that students are actively engaging with the learning material. By using interactive technology in the classroom, we can encourage students to be active in their learning via quizzes, games, polls, video content, and other media.

We'll boost student communication skills

Interactive technology can help students improve their ability to communicate both with their peers and their teachers. Students could be encouraged to share ideas or concepts on the interactive whiteboard, for example, or they could even give short lessons or presentations of their own.

Communication could also go a step further with the use of video conferencing in the classroom. Students could connect with other classes, either in the same school or in different schools, to work on collaborative projects - which encourages kids to communicate and make connections with new people. Alternatively, teachers could invite guest speakers to give presentations about a recent study topic via video conferencing, and have students take control of the discussion by preparing their own questions.

We'll be able to offer additional learning resources for fast learners

Interactive technology for education can make independent learning easier in order for teachers to support the fastest learners and workers in their class. This is ideal for classrooms in which students have varying abilities.

If students have access to their own devices - a tablet or laptop, for example - teachers can provide additional learning resources, presentations, or quizzes for students to work through. Students could be encouraged to explore these materials in their own time if they're particularly interested in a topic. Alternatively, they could turn to these resources during lessons if they complete an in-class assignment sooner than their peers.

We'll enhance students' technology knowledge and skills

We exist in a world in which our lives are influenced by technology every day, so it makes sense that we teach our young people how to use technology safely and effectively. One of the biggest benefits of interactive technology in the classroom is that it can allow us to enhance students' knowledge of technology through active, daily use of it.

For example, teachers could demonstrate how to use the internet for research, to demonstrate how to find reputable online resources, and how to differentiate between reliable and unreliable information. These types of activities also lend themselves brilliantly to discussions about staying safe online.

Addressing a Classroom's Unique Needs

Interactive technology is evolving all the time, and I see developments in the industry every day while working as Avocor's UK Academies Partnership Manager. Benefits of interactive technology are vast, but it's important to remember that each school is very different.

I work with many Multi Academy Trusts, and each one has a unique set of goals, challenges, and budgets to consider. Investment in interactive technology is certainly important, but it shouldn't be rushed, and it must be tailored to each individual education provider.

Decision-makers need to establish exactly how interactive technology could benefit their own students and teachers. This article gives only a general overview of how the future of education might change with new technology. It's down to individual schools to take charge of their own futures and transform the ways in which their students learn.
About Paul Bartrum
Having spent 24 years within the Audio-visual sector, Paul Bartrum has witnessed first-hand the dramatic change in classroom technology: From dusty chalkboards, to projection based technology, to the interactive, large format displays of today. This background insight has proved invaluable in his current role as Academies Partnership Manager at Avocor, where he engages with Multi Academy Trusts to position how solutions from Avocor can help improve engagement and attainment in the classroom.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Impact of Interactive Technology on the Future of School Education - MDR

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
With new educational technology tools developing every day, the ability to create an interactive classroom is becoming easier than ever before. It may still be some time before we see the likes of interactive whiteboards in every classroom, or individual tablets on every student's desk.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Hi everyone! It has been a very busy couple of days... Thank goodness for weekends! This week's focus is active learning. Active learning involves students interacting throughout the lesson and not just listening to a lecture and copying notes. As mentioned in previous posts, my elementary school was limited in technology. I cannot express to you how often I watched a PowerPoint and rapidly wrote Cornell notes as my teacher spoke. Unfortunately, some teachers still do this as a form of teaching and many students are bored, confused, or not engaged. Active learning does not have to include technology, however it could be beneficial to create interaction.

In my classroom, I create active learning by the use of gallery walks to incorporating technology within lessons. I love incorporating Kagan strategies! One of my favorite strategies to engage my 1st graders is think-pair-share. Through this strategy, students are asked think about what they know about the question being posed, they then pair themselves with a friend in the classroom where they will then share their findings. Through this strategy, students are able to collaborate and share what they know. Different opinions are expressed and it gives them the opportunity to talk and walk around the classroom (incorporating movement). My 1st graders dislike sitting for long periods of time. So, when it is time to share, we do gallery walks where students have the opportunity to walk around the class and observe the work of other classmates. Throughout this walk, students may also talk to one another and ask them questions about their artwork or the information being presented.

As mentioned, I love technology and love incorporating it in my lessons any time possible! I do believe teachers should keep in mind active learning when developing lessons. As a first grade teacher, I know my students love when they have to do something other than write in their notebook. iPads go home next week and I cannot express how happy I am over this because I am asked daily about this by my students! For our English time this week, we are learning and discussing nouns. If the weather permits, I plan to incorporate active learning by going on a nature walk with my students to the park across the street from our school. Students will draw and write nouns found throughout their nature walk. Back in the classroom, they will then use their iPads and create a Flipgrid to explain their nouns found. This activity not only incorporates technology, but it incorporates engagement. What's more is it helps my students practice their retelling and sumarizing skills!

Scan me to view, comment or share our Padlet!

Article that discusses the benefits of active learning.

Examples of different Kagan strategies you can incorporate in your classroom!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Hi everyone! It has been a very busy couple of days... Thank goodness for weekends! This week's focus is active learning. Active learning involves students interacting throughout the lesson and not just listening to a lecture and copying notes. As mentioned in previous posts, my elementary school was limited in technology.

# data[].attributes.body
Lauren Mietelski: This site not only gives more insight into active learning, but it provides some sample lessons, strategies, and structures that could be applied to a variety of disciplines and activities.  On the bottom of the home page, you will find links to ideas for Classroom Assessment Activities (CATs), a grid of a bunch of active learning strategies for large group instruction (e.g. jigsaws), and finally a breakdown of effective roles students can take in a group/literature circle type meeting/discussion.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Active Learning | Center for Educational Innovation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Active learning is any approach to instruction in

# data[].attributes.headline
What makes this an active learning experience

# data[].attributes.subject
What makes this an active learning experience

# data[].attributes.body
Lauren Mietelski: This lesson has active learning strategies because the teacher established the expectations and scaffolded by giving them graphic organizers but let them create their own site and do their own research. It was student-centered as students were gathering information from a variety of sources, a 21st-century skill, instead of being lectured at. It was interactive learning, and students were able to have choice in how their website looked and how they made their Thinglink.

# data[].attributes.body
Lauren Mietelski: To add onto Jennifer's idea of recording themselves presenting their websites, I envision students posting links or embedding them onto a classroom website. Then students could be assigned or choose a classmate's site to critique and provide feedback for. Knowing fellow students are evaluating their work can motivate students even more to do a good job and take pride in their work. The teacher could give them the rubric to grade other students or the students could work with the teacher to create a rubric based on a student model of quality work.

# data[].attributes.body
The University of Minnesota Center for Educational Innovation came up with this great continuum for simple to complex active learning strategies. This is a great resource for seeing how to fit active learning into a lesson. https://cei.umn.edu/active-learning

# data[].attributes.body
I too think that an opportunity for students to reflect on their own work and gain feedback from their peers is important.  The Thinglink is a great tool to organize student research.  Perhaps students could have autonomy in how they want to incorporate it in their final project: choice of website, travel brochure, or documentary for example. Another idea is that students could work in JIGSAW groups to dive deeper into one region versus all of them.  Then they could present their region of expertise to the others.  Classmates could even vote based on their presentations where they would want to go in the region.

# data[].attributes.headline
What makes this an active learning experience?

# data[].attributes.subject
What makes this an active learning experience?

# data[].attributes.body
Students had autonomy in deciding which information about the geography, economy, and history of each region to include based on their interest.  Additionally, they were able to pick dream vacation destinations which appealed to their own preferences and made the research relevant to their own lives. Students explored the materials versus being passive receivers of information.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
My name is Kai N, and this is my website about the USA. Below are some pictures of the United States of America.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What is active learning?

Is a Padlet a form of active learning? Most definitely. Follow the link to our Padlet or view the live feed below.

Should teachers consider active learning when developing lessons?

Personal Experience with Active Learning

Additional Resources

University of Minnesota Center for Innovation. This site gives a rationale for active learning along with successful implementation techniques and strategies to deal with challenges.
Active Learning Video. This video from Pasco County Schools has great interviews with kids about the benefits of active learning.
Active Learning Activities This PDF from Indiana University has active learning activities organized by categories

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Is a Padlet a form of active learning? Most definitely. Follow the link to our Padlet or view the live feed below. University of Minnesota Center for Innovation. This site gives a rationale for active learning along with successful implementation techniques and strategies to deal with challenges. Active Learning Video.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Active learning is about making the classroom student-centered instead of teacher-focused so that students are taking ownership of their learning through engagement and processing in their own way instead of being lectured at and simply note-taking all the time. Nicole Zumpano's Prezi on the topic explains that students are supposed to learn through experience and doing, and this type of learning involves more student choices and independence. Students have to be "mindful" of their work, which includes them choosing topics and means relevant and interesting to them while also having to self-reflect and be held accountable for their work (Zumpano, 2019).

The University of Minnesota's Center for Educational Innovation says that active learning strategies used throughout a lesson may involve "students working together during class, but may also involve individual work and/or reflection. [Active learning] approaches range from short, simple activities like journal writing, problem-solving and paired discussions, to longer, involved activities or pedagogical frameworks like cas studies, role plays, and structured team-based learning" ( Center for Educational Innovation, 2019). They have some great resources for teachers, including this list of strategies for teachers to keep at their fingertips for quick reference while planning lessons or switching gears even during a lesson that doesn't seem to be interactive or engaging enough

We should all be using active learning strategies in our classrooms today. There are many sources and research that back up this type of learning. According to Tim Elmore's Generation iY presentation, 21st-century students require more than lecture and note-taking to get engaged and really learn the material because they are used to everything instantly being at their fingertips. Elmore describes the millennial generation as having these qualities: " Experiential, Participatory, Image-rich and Connected." They need images, they need experiences, and they need to do it all in a social way where they are expressing themselves and sharing their ideas. They need to feel valued. They need buy-in, and it's up to us to help them find their way to the learning.

To corroborate the need for active learning, the University of Minnesota posted research to establish its scientific validity. The critical thinking skills, increased retention and transfer of new information, increased motivation, improved interpersonal skills, and decreased course failure (Prince, 2004)." Also, according to high levels of student achievement and personal development (Kuh, O'Donnell, and Schneider, 2017)." Lastly, research says on the Center for Educational Innovation notes that there are many benefits to the style such as improving students' " CEI, The National Survey of Student Engagement indicated that active learning experiences will produce " CEI site that active learning can " positively affect student motivation (Owens, Sadler, Barlow, & Smith-Walters, 2017); in turn, the overall impact of motivation moderates key learning characteristics such as attention and memory consolidation (Cavenagh, 2016)." It appears that getting our 21st-century students actively engaged in their own learning will keep them motivated as well as prepare them for the tasks ahead in not only school but the real world.

What Does This Look Like in My Classroom?

As a high school English teacher, most of my lessons involve active learning because really we are working on skill-building, and not as focused on delivering content as many of the other disciplines such as Science class perhaps. Some strategies I use on either a daily or weekly basis would include Think-Pair-Share, Jigsaws (of various types), Carrousels and Gallery Walks, various formats of fishbowl discussions (where students are taught question types but have to bring in their own questions for the assigned chapter and lead and maintain their own discussion without teacher involvement), student-created lessons (where students work in teams to create and run a lesson for an assigned chapter), literature circles, and collaborative group work. Usually, in all these activities, I act as a facilitator, establish the expectations, and then let the students problem-solve and create their own meanings through whatever process we choose for that activity. They are almost always sharing out their learning and thinking to the class in some format or another, so they are always using their voices. Whenever we write papers that have to be done a certain way because we are teaching a type of paper, student choice is always key in terms of the prompt they choose to answer or the topic they choose to write about in order to keep them motivated and to take pride and ownership of their work. It makes their paper special and uniquely theirs. They have to critically think throughout the whole process and hold themselves accountable for the paper getting done and getting the feedback it needs during the rough draft process.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Active learning is about making the classroom student-centered instead of teacher-focused so that students are taking ownership of their learning through engagement and processing in their own way instead of being lectured at and simply note-taking all the time.

# data[].attributes.body
Sarah Faherty: The Thinglink Illinois Project asked students to decide what information about the geography, economy and history of each region to include in their multimedia presentation after completing their research.