Student Interactivity
- ngoziimebuogu
- Jun 3, 2024
- 0 min read
In the evolving education landscape, interactivity and engagement cannot be overstated, especially in teaching high school students complex historical subjects such as U.S. History. As educators, our goal extends beyond simply delivering facts; we aim to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of historical events and their impacts. This becomes particularly challenging when students enter these subjects with a significant gap in background knowledge. Research consistently shows that interactive learning strategies significantly enhance student engagement and learning, improving academic outcomes (Wetzel & Farrow,2023).
One of the primary hurdles in teaching subjects like U.S. History is bridging the gap between existing student knowledge and the new content introduced, such as the functions of the Egyptian pyramids. Traditional lecture methods often fail to engage students effectively or provide them with a meaningful connection to the material (Jones & Dexter, 2018). However, incorporating educational technology tools can transform passive learning environments into dynamic platforms where historical events come alive, thus bridging the knowledge gap more effectively and making the material more relatable and exciting for students.
Educators can significantly enhance the depth and breadth of student understanding by leveraging tools such as Padlet for collaborative learning, Quizizz for real-time knowledge assessments, and Virtual Reality (V-Reality) environments for an immersive experience. These technologies cater to students' diverse learning styles and promote active participation and critical thinking, essential for mastering complex historical contexts. This blog post will explore these three cutting-edge educational technology tools that redefine interactive learning and discuss how one can be creatively used to create an interactive asset.
Advantages and Challenges of Using Educational Technology Tools
Technology in the classroom, such as Padlet, encourages active participation from all students, including those who may be reticent in traditional settings. This inclusive participation fosters a dynamic learning environment that promotes student interaction and attention (Lo & Hew, 2021). Educational technology tools enable personalized learning, allowing students to learn at their own pace and according to their preferences. Quizizz and similar platforms offer adaptive learning paths, quizzes, and interactive challenges that cater to each student's needs, significantly enhancing their engagement with the course material (Hughey, 2020). Despite the benefits, integrating technology into education can face substantial hurdles. Issues such as insufficient teacher training, inadequate infrastructure, and uneven student access to technology can hinder the effective use of these tools. This challenge requires schools to invest in technological tools and knowledge to ensure educators can effectively manage and utilize these technologies (Zarrabi & Mohammadi, 2024).
Another challenge is the potential distraction that technology can introduce into the classroom. The proliferation of digital devices in contemporary classrooms has increased student distraction (Awofala et al., 2020). The widespread adoption of these devices often results in reduced engagement within classroom settings (Kearney & Maakrun, 2020). Today's ICT tools are deeply integrated into students' cognitive processes, capturing their attention and dominating the learning environment. Educators face significant challenges in maintaining student focus amid numerous technological distractions, requiring creative strategies to manage and engage their classrooms effectively.  Padlet (click on the logo above to visit Padlet) Padlet is a versatile digital canvas that facilitates interactive learning in a visually engaging way. This tool allows students to collectively build their background knowledge by contributing text, images, videos, and links on a single, real-time, updated interface. As students approach a new topic, such as the, “the Egyptian pyramids," Padlet can gather initial thoughts, questions, and resources that help activate prior knowledge and set a foundation for new information. This interactive approach increases student engagement and encourages collaboration, brainstorming, and online dialogue (Beltrán-Martín, 2019), and the sharing of diverse ideas, making the learning experience more dynamic and inclusive.
Utility of Padlet in Interactive Learning Padlet can be used in several ways: (I) Collaborative Discussions: This format allows students to post their thoughts and comment on peers' contributions, fostering a deeper discussion and exploration of historical concepts. (2) Resource Sharing: Teachers and students can share articles, videos, and other educational materials that enrich the learning experience. (3) Class Projects: It can be used for group projects where students contribute to different lesson parts, such as timelines, biographies, or event analyses. (4) Formative Assessments: Enables teachers to conduct quick checks for understanding and gather student feedback to assess their grasp of the lesson content.
(Click on the image below to see how the tool is used on the topic “the Egyptian Pyramid.”)  The above tool could be used for:
Evaluation Padlet is renowned for its user-friendly interface, making it accessible for tech-savvy and novice users. Teachers can easily set up a Padlet board within minutes and invite students to participate via a simple link. However, while Padlet enhances student engagement through interactive participation, it should not be solely relied upon to present new, complex historical information. Instead, it should be integrated into a broader instructional strategy that includes direct teaching, discussion, and critical analysis. This ensures that Padlet is used as a supportive tool that enriches the learning experience rather than substituting fundamental instructional methods Connectivity -Network Compatibility: Padlet works well with standard internet connections and does not require special network settings. It is entirely web-based, so no cables are needed to connect devices. As long as users can access a stable internet connection, they can access Padlet. - Wireless Options: Being an online platform, Padlet can be accessed via any device with internet connectivity through Wi-Fi or mobile data. No physical connections (like HDMI, USB-C, or Thunderbolt) are required, simplifying setup and use in varied educational settings. Integration - Operating System Compatibility: Padlet is highly versatile and can be accessed from any device that supports a web browser, including systems running Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. This makes it highly adaptable for schools with diverse technology infrastructures. - Data Transmission: Teachers can share Padlets with students via direct links, email, or even embedded into learning management systems (LMS) like Canvas or Moodle. Padlet supports integration with several cloud storage services, allowing users to attach files directly from Google Drive, Dropbox, and more, facilitating seamless resource sharing Cost Pricing Structure: Padlet offers a basic free version that includes access to three Padlet walls with limited features, suitable for trying out the platform. Premium plans provide additional features like larger file uploads, extra storage, and advanced customization options for extensive use. The premium version requires a subscription, which might be a consideration for budget-conscious educational institutions. - Hidden Costs: Beyond the subscription fee, there are no hidden costs such as maintenance or replacement parts since Padlet is a software service. However, schools must consider the ongoing subscription costs for full access. Support-: Padlet is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, even for first-time users. The interface is user-friendly, with drag-and-drop functionality and simple editing tools. Support Options: Padlet provides extensive support through its website, including a comprehensive FAQ section, user guides, and tutorial videos. Users can email Padlet’s support team for assistance if they encounter issues. Additionally, there are multiple online communities and forums where teachers share tips and advice on using Padlet effectively in educational settings. Classroom Design - Padlet can be used in both asynchronous and synchronous learning environments. Teachers can display a Padlet wall on a projector or interactive whiteboard in a face-to-face classroom to engage the entire class. For remote or hybrid learning, Padlet allows students to contribute in real-time or at their own pace, making it a versatile tool for various teaching scenarios. -Displaying Work: Teachers can easily share a Padlet link with students, who can view and interact with the content simultaneously, regardless of their physical location. This feature makes Padlet particularly useful for displaying new information and facilitating discussion among synchronous learners at a distance (Etfita et al.,2022)  (click on the logo above to visit Quizizz)
Quizizz is an online quiz tool that engages students through gamified quizzes, which can be a fun and interactive way to build and assess students' background knowledge. By turning assessments into competitive games, Quizizz allows students to participate actively and at their own pace, whether in the classroom or as homework. The real-time feedback and leaderboard update feature keeps students engaged and motivated to learn. This tool can be particularly effective in history classes where understanding timelines, significant events, and figures is crucial.
Utility of Quizizz in Interactive Learning Quizizz is a versatile tool that can be used in multiple ways to enhance interactivity and engagement in the educational process: (1) Formative Evaluation: Quickly gauge student understanding of a new topic like the Egyptian pyramids. (2) Homework Assignments: Assign quizzes as homework, allowing students to engage with the material outside the classroom in a fun, interactive manner. (3) Group Competitions: Organize live quiz sessions where students compete in teams, enhancing collaborative learning. (4) Instant Feedback: Provide students instant feedback on their answers, which aids in better retention and understanding.
(Click on the image below to see how Quizziz is used as a tool to engage students as they answer questions from the lesson on the Egyptian pyramid)  The above tool can be used for:
Evaluation Connectivity - Network Requirements: Quizizz works well with any standard broadband internet connection and is entirely web-based, requiring no physical cables or hardware connections. It is accessible through any device with internet access, be it via Wi-Fi or cellular data. Integration - Device Compatibility: Quizizz is platform-agnostic and can be accessed via web browsers on any operating system, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Teachers can share quiz links directly via email, messaging apps, or embedded in an LMS. - Data Integration: It integrates seamlessly with popular LMS platforms and supports exporting quiz results to spreadsheets or Google Classroom. Cost - Pricing: Quizizz offers a robust free version with extensive features suitable for most educational needs. Premium versions add enhanced features such as detailed reports, more engaging quiz formats, and additional customization options. There are no hidden costs; subscriptions cover full feature access. Support - Ease of Use: Known for its user-friendly interface, Quizizz offers comprehensive support through FAQs, tutorial videos, and a responsive customer service team. - Support Channels: Assistance is available via the Quizizz website, and there's an active community of users on various social media platforms and educational forums. Classroom Design - Learning Environment Flexibility: Quizizz can be used for both synchronous sessions in a classroom or asynchronously for homework. In a classroom, quizzes can be displayed using a projector or shared directly with students' devices, allowing for flexible, engaging sessions regardless of students’ location.
 V-Reality
(click on the logo above to visit ClassVR) Virtual Reality (V-Reality) provides an immersive experience that can significantly enhance student engagement and interactivity, especially in history education. By allowing students to "step into" historical sites or events, V-reality helps build substantial background knowledge in a way that textbooks cannot match. For instance, students studying ancient Egyptian culture could virtually visit the pyramids, explore their interior, and learn about their construction and purpose through interactive simulations. This method helps students visualize and understand complex historical contexts, increasing retention and interest ( Lin et al., 2024).
Utility of V-reality in Education V-reality can be utilized in various interactive ways: (1) Immersive Learning: This method allows students to explore historical events and places first-hand, which can be particularly beneficial for visual learners. (2) Enhanced Engagement: VR engages multiple senses and helps maintain student interest and motivation longer than traditional methods. (3) Collaborative Learning: Although individually experienced, VR sessions can be followed by group discussions or collaborative projects based on the virtual experience, enhancing social learning.
Using VR for Interactive Engagement in US History Class Welcome to our US History class, where we're about to embark on a unique learning journey to the Pyramids of Egypt. One of the exciting aspects of this lesson is the use of VR technology, which allows us to visit the pyramid virtually. This tool is particularly beneficial as it helps overcome the challenge of students' limited background knowledge of US history while sparking their interest and engagement in the instruction. By the end of the lesson, the students should be able to describe the pyramid of Egypt and its purpose. Today, we are going on a field trip. The good news, you will not be required to go through the stress of getting your parents to sign the permission slip, which will take days, at times, you will forget the paper at home. You will not be required to pay any fees cause this is the challenge most of you encounter, and in the end, you may not go. I know you may be wondering what and where I am coming from. We will embark on a historical journey that will make sense when we get there and back. How many of you want to go to the field trip? Ok. As you all know, before we go on field trips, we must be equipped for the journey. We will listen to instructions on how to behave so we can be safe, learn, and enjoy the trip. Instructions: You will be equipped with hardware with installed software, and the teacher will control it, just as I will guide you during the field trip. Please be careful with yours and do not play with it. The hardware is expensive, as you need to be safe during your real field trips you need to be safe while using the VR headsets. Though we will have fun on the field trip, we are also here to learn. Remember to focus and be prepared to mention and describe what you see and your fascination.
Engagement Section: How many of you have been to Egypt? We are going to Egypt to see the famous Pyramid. Ready? What is the shape of the pyramid? What mysteries do you think it holds? Put on the headset, and we will go to Egypt. Remember to focus, you can communicate with your peers, ask them what they see, and describe what you see and think the pyramid resembles. Can you guess what they are used for? The teacher allows the students to enjoy the field trip to Egypt. (Click on the image below to see the VR tool demonstrating 11th-grade students using VR headsets during a virtual field trip to the Egyptian pyramid) 
After the virtual field trip, the teacher collects the hardware from the students and hands out a graphic organizer with a KWL to gauge the experience the students had on the field trip. The kids collaborate and work in groups. Each column indicates K- What I know about the Egyptian pyramid, W- What I want to know, and L- What I have learned. This exercise will help build the background knowledge and begin the lesson on “The Egyptian Pyramid.”(click on the image below to see the K-W-Lchart).
After the lesson, the teacher will use the questions constructed on the quiz to serve as an assessment, engagement, and monitoring tool for students’ progress and adjust teaching where necessary: 
Virtual reality (VR) headsets and software offer transformative opportunities for education, particularly in history classes, where they can bring distant, past civilizations to life. A virtual trip to the Egyptian pyramids using VR technology is an excellent example of how this tool can enhance learning and engagement. Teachers and students can use VR in a History /Social Studies class for:
Evaluation Virtual reality (VR) offers significant advantages over tools like Padlet and Quizizz for building background knowledge in history classes due to its immersive, contextual, and emotionally engaging capabilities. VR's 3D environments allow students to experience historical settings realistically, providing a deeper understanding through active participation and complex interactions. While Padlet is useful for sharing information and Quizizz excels in post-learning assessment, the ability for VR to simulate real-life historical experiences makes it superior for initial learning phases. After VR sessions, Quizizz can effectively assess students' understanding, combining immersive learning with effective evaluation. Overall, VR transforms learning from passive to active, making it an invaluable educational tool for enhancing students' understanding and appreciation of historical subjects like the Egyptian pyramids. Connectivity - Network and Hardware Requirements: VR systems require hardware and software and generally require a high-speed internet connection for downloading and running simulations. Most VR headsets are wireless but may require initial setup connections via USB-C or HDMI There is a portable storage for the hardware and software. Integration - Compatibility: Modern VR systems are compatible with various operating systems, including Windows and Android. Integration with educational software varies by VR system but often includes classroom management and learning analytics features. - Data Transmission: VR content is usually pre-downloaded or streamed via high-speed internet; direct links and local file sharing are less common due to the large file sizes involved. Cost Initial Investment and Ongoing Costs: High-quality VR equipment can be costly, with prices varying widely depending on the technology's sophistication. While there are free VR applications, many educational VR experiences require purchasing licenses or subscriptions. Title I school funding provides the funds or grants through the Emergency Relief Fund. - Maintenance and Upgrades: Regular software updates and potential hardware repairs add to the total cost of ownership. Support -User Support: Most VR vendors offer comprehensive support, including online tutorials, user manuals, and customer service hotlines. Community forums and teacher resources are also available for educational users. - Learner Support: Simplified user interfaces and guided experiences help make VR accessible for first-time users, but ongoing support from educators is crucial to integrate VR effectively into learning. Classroom Design - Flexible Learning Environments: VR is suitable for synchronous and asynchronous learning. In synchronous settings, entire classes can experience VR simultaneously or in small groups, depending on the number of headsets available. - Display Options: Instructors can project what one student sees in VR onto a screen to share the experience with the class, facilitating group discussion and analysis.
I invite you to experience these educational technologies' potential firsthand by trying out the interactive assets created for each tool. Explore a collaborative Padlet wall where you can contribute and view materials on key historical events, challenge yourself with a quiz on the Egptyian Pyramid, or immerse yourself in a V-Reality tour of the Egyptian Pyramid. These tools enhance your teaching methods and enrich your students' learning experiences. To get started, please visit the links to directly access and interact with these resources.
Closing Thoughts As we integrate advanced technologies into our teaching practices, it's crucial to remember that the core of education lies not in the sophistication of the tools we use but in the quality and intention of our teaching. Technology is a bridge, not a destination; it enhances our ability to effectively reach and teach our students. However, it does not replace the fundamental human elements of empathy, understanding, and intellectual curiosity at the heart of education.
The research underscores that while technology can significantly enhance the learning environment, the teacher's role in guiding, facilitating, and interpreting learning experiences is irreplaceable (Clark, 2020). The distinct attributes of human instructors, such as critical thinking, human interactions, creativity, and emotional capacity, are essential and cannot be replicated by technology (Felix, 2020., Schiff, 2020). Teachers are the orchestrators of the learning experience, using technology as one of many tools to create a rich, engaging, and effective educational symphony.
The role of interactivity and engagement in teaching cannot be overstated—they are critical to capturing students' interest and fostering deep learning. As you incorporate these tools into your lessons, continuously seek ways to make interactions meaningful and educationally rich. Remember, the goal is to ignite students' passion for learning and to equip them with the skills to explore and understand the world.
These insights remind us that while educational technologies are powerful, they are most effective when used as enhancements to the traditional, fundamental methods of teaching that prioritize direct interaction, personalized feedback, and adaptive learning strategies.
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