The Interactive Classroom

 

The Interactive Classroom 

The Interactive classroom is a beacon of innovation in education, revolutionizing how students engage with material and each other. By weaving together technology, collaboration, and active learning, it creates an environment where students are not just passive recipients of information but active participants in their learning journey. This method has significantly increased engagement, catering to various learning styles and preferences. Educators are responsible for creating optimal learning environments for their students. Learning needs to be interactive and happen in a way that allows students to be responsive rather than reactive (Merrill & Merrill, 2020, P. 11). To experience a sense of autonomy, students must experience their engagement in learning as a self-chosen act that reflects their own interests, preferences, and values (Cents-Boonstra et al., 2021).

The interactive classroom fosters a sense of community and collaboration among students. Group projects and peer-to-peer learning encourage students to collaborate, share ideas, and solve problems collectively. This enhances their understanding of the subject and develops essential life skills such as communication, teamwork, and empathy. Joe and Kristen Merrill (2020), says "Once you can see the connection between your relationship with students and engagement in the classroom, you can then focus on how to develop and nourish these relationships throughout the school year" (P.15). In an increasingly interconnected world, these skills are invaluable. Furthermore, the interactive approach often incorporates real-world problems and scenarios, making the learning experience more relevant and motivating for students. They can see the direct application of their studies in the real world, which can ignite a passion for learning and discovery. Vishwas Pawar states that "collaboration and effective communication are essential skills in the professional world. Interactive learning environments allow students to collaborate, share ideas, and solve problems collectively. Whether through group projects, peer reviews, or virtual teamwork, this approach prepares students to function effectively in team-oriented settings, a crucial aspect of their future careers"(Pawar, 2023). This video below is an excellent example of classroom engagement. 

In conclusion, the interactive classroom is a powerful tool in maintaining student engagement. It addresses many traditional educational challenges by embracing technology, encouraging collaboration, and making learning relevant. Students are more likely to be motivated and enthusiastic about their studies when they feel actively involved and valued in learning. In the book The Interactive Class, Sara Frater (2020) says, "Have the kids learn right along with you. They are such good helpers and can figure things out with you! Let students create and share their voice, and your classroom will be an empowering place" (P 44). As education evolves, the interactive classroom represents a promising path toward a more engaging, effective, and inclusive educational experience for all students. 

The Merrills link is to a fantastic blog that offers several resources to help educators create interactive classrooms.  

References 

Cents-Boonstra, M., Lichtwarck-Aschoff, A., Denessen, E., Aelterman, N., & Haerens, L. (2021). Fostering student engagement with motivating teaching: an observation study of teacher and student behaviors. Research papers in Education, 36(6), 754-779. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02671522.2020.1767184 

Edutopia.org.(2011,June 22). Thinking Big About Engagement (Video). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IDPGUSQNes

Merrill, J., & Merrill, K. (2020). The Interactive Class. ElevateBooksEdu.

Pawar, V. (2023, August 27). Embracing Interactive Learning: Enhancing Education for Today's Learners. eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com /embracing-interactive-learning-enhancing-education-for-todays-learners