A list of other methods that energize the classroom
A few methods and techniques to have in mind when designing your lesson:
Polls and quizzes:
They can serve a series of goals, such as: memorise key points, validate answers, compete (right answers, fast answers), gather opinions, and further on address unclear issues - even preconceptions and misconceptions. Different platforms give options to create polls and quizzes.
Pro tip: try to make all answers seem plausible in their own way, then start a discussion related to the right answer.
As a starting point, if you haven’t done this already, create a standard poll (for example, in google forms), and one that is based on speed and competition (there are several free platforms for this).
Breakout rooms:
Working in groups can be easier online than face to face - the platform takes care of sending students in the breakout rooms, showing them the time left, and then bringing them back.
A good way to start a habit of working in breakout rooms is problem-solving. Think of an issue for which students could think of possible solutions. It can be an out-of-the box question, one for which they don’t know the answer yet. You can invite them to think of as many solutions as possible, thus increasing collaboration and inspiring problem solving. Of course, you can also create exercises of “finding the right solutions” - these will make use of the critical thinking skills and of the expertise of the group.
Different types of exercises could be:
- Prepare a presentation to teach the other teams something in particular;
- Solving a different problem and then all teams share their problems and solutions;
- Give the same scenario, but change the strategies through which teams have to find the solution, so that they come back with unique answers
Brainstorming
It remains an engaging method - one in which students collectively generate a multitude of ideas and they are given the chance to propose any idea that comes to mind, no matter how unrealistic. Using digital post-it notes is a good way to harvest ideas, and of course the simplest way is to gather ideas in the chat. Ideas can be further clustered and discussed, in a later stage of the exercise.
Alternatively, you can even propose a contest: “You have 2 minutes. Find as many sayings as possible related to collaboration.”
Organising debates:
Pick a question, divide students into teams, and give them time to prepare PRO and AGAINST debate speeches. Decide a structure for the debate - for example ask students to prepare speeches while they are in breakout rooms and to choose 3 of them which will have 2-minutes speeches on the subject, in the following order:
1st speaker PRO (2 minutes), 1st speaker AGAINST (2 minutes), 2nd speaker PRO (2 minutes), 2nd speaker AGAINST (2 minutes), 3rd speaker PRO (2 minutes), 3rd speaker AGAINST (2 minutes).
Pro tip: You can use an online timer - if you search on YouTube “online timer 2 minutes”, you can share it on screen so the speaker sees in real time how much time they have left.
There are, of course, many other techniques and methods that keep students engaged. The idea is to experiment several, so that you can have a good mix that keeps students focused and maximises learning. Even with adults, a practical advice for online classes and trainings is: “Create a program that engages participants at least every four minutes. Keep their attention on the screen and away from the distractions around them.”
Besides the dynamism, motivation also plays a key role - “students feel more motivated if they see value in a subject/task and believe they can accomplish it.”
According to Waterloo’s University Centre for Teaching Excellence,
“two important concepts contribute to students’ motivation to achieve a goal: the value the goal has for them and their expectancies (expectations) that they will be able to attain the goal. These concepts can be summarised by two key questions that students consider when given a task: “Do I want to do this task, and, if so, why?” (value) and “Am I capable of doing this task?” (expectancy).”