How to Engage Students with Technology

As an educator, you are daily faced with the challenge of engaging students while also balancing the need for formative assessment. Assessment allows educators to see how much knowledge was acquired and concepts that need to be retaught. Technology can help integrate creative ways to assess a student’s skills, academic knowledge, and learning outcomes.  When assessments are interactive and engaging, students’ motivation will increase. Assessments can be fun for both the teacher and the students. 

As an educator before introducing any web-based interactive assessment, it is important to review internet safety with students. Educators also need to monitor to ensure students are staying on the correct website and establish guidelines before using an online engaging assessment tool.

 

Educators are on a budget, so it is important to select tools that are free or low cost. You also need to think about how each system can be integrated with your current technology in your school or district. 

 

I am going to review three different ways to make a formative assessment more engaging through technology. Whether you are an elementary, middle, or high school teacher, all these games can be adapted to meet the needs of your learners. Younger students may not benefit as much because some of these tools require the student to be independent in using and accessing technology. Students who are in grades 2^nd-12^th would probably benefit 

the most.  

 

Kahoot

Kahoot is an online platform that allows educators to create quizzes based on any topic or academic area. Once the quiz has been created, students play a game to answer the questions. Both speed and the correct answer count towards the score. After each question, it shows which student is leading the game. 

 

There is a free version and several paid subscription options. With the free basic version, educators can create quizzes with that allows up to 50 students to play at once. If the class size was bigger than 50 students, a paid subscription might be better fit. Educators can also search pre-made quizzes based on a specific topic. You can add pictures to each question and select up to four multiple choice answers. You can also customize the amount of time students have to answer the questions. 

 

Kahoot can be played on any device that has access to the internet. Devices might include a tablet, smartphone, or laptop. Each student would need to have their own individual device so that is something to consider if technology is not widely available in your school. With each quiz, there is a unique game code the students must enter to play the game. You can make your quizzes private or public depending on what is best for your school. After the pin has been entered, students will select a username.  The teacher can start the game once everyone has had a chance to create a username. The question will appear on the screen for the students to read and then options for the answer will appear in different color squares. Students select the correct color square on their screen that they think is the correct answer. 

 

There are lots of instructional videos on Kahoot to help teach educators how to create the quizzes and creative ideas on how to integrate Kahoot into the classroom. 

 

Below is an example of what the screen might look like for a student when playing Kahoot: 

Pros: 

·      Great way to create a fun interactive way to assess knowledge as a class 

·      Free version has a lot of features that allow you to use it without a paid subscription 

·      Students get immediate feedback on the correct answer 

·      Quizzes can be customized to meet your classroom’s needs 

·      Quizzes can be played multiple times if you teach several classes of the same subject 

 

Cons: 

·      Each student must have access to the internet on an individual device

·      Students with learning differences may struggle in the fast-paced environment 

·      Allows students to see how peers are doing and may be difficult for students who are not competitive. 

·      Some features are only available in the paid version

·      Students must be able to read both the question and the answers independently 

·      Accessibility would need to be checked for students who may have disabilities

Blooket

Blooket is an online gaming platform that can be used to assess a student’s knowledge in a fun and engaging way. Quizzes can be imported from Quizlet, csv file, or you can create it from scratch. There are also thousands of pre-made quizzes you can choose from to play with your classroom. Students can customize their icon character and get to create their own username. Each quiz has several different fun ways to play the games. The students earn points with correct answers that help them continue to play the game. Blooklet can be played individually, assigned as homework, or played as a class. Students can scan a QR code or enter a game pin to access the appropriate quiz. Pictures can be added on each question. Each student would need access to the internet through their own device. Blooklet would work on a tablet, phone, or computer. Blooklet could be used as a formative assessment or a way to pre-teach a lesson to access a student’s prior knowledge. There are several videos on how to help educators use Blooklet effectively. 

 Pros: 

·      Multiple fun ways to play the different quizzes 

·      Free version has lots of options 

·      Helps students be more creative 

·      May be more beneficial for younger students 

·      Can be used independently or in a group setting 

Cons: 

·      Each student must have access to the internet on an individual device

·      Some features are only available in the paid version

·      Learning curve to play the various games 

·      Direct instruction would be needed to help students learn how to navigate the site 

Genially

Genially is a robust interactive platform that engages learners in a multitude of ways. Educators can use thousands of pre-made templates to create online-self-paced presentations. Presentations can also be used as a whole class. Various interactive elements include infographics, quizzes, games, and so much more. Educators must sign up for an account and the free version offers many features. If learning individually, students would need access to their own devices. But interactive presentations can also be used as a whole class so no additional devices are needed. This could be used for remote or hybrid learning. The wide range of templates allows students to be engaged in new and creative ways. Educators an also create their own content from a blank template. The possibilities are endless with Genially as there is so much to this online platform. Educators who are wanting to revamp their presentations would greatly benefit from Genially. There are several ways to add formative assessments throughout the lesson. There are lots of guide videos that can help educators learn how to effectively use Genially. 

 Pros: 

·      Makes lessons more engaging

·      Wide range of options to engage learners

·      Can be integrated with so many platforms 

·      Can be assigned as homework, small group or independent work 

Cons: 

·      Having so many options may be overwhelming to an educator who is new to technology

·      Some features are only available in the paid version

 

While technology is beneficial, it should not be used as a replacement for direct instruction from educators. Distractions can easily arise when students are on their own devices (Aivaz & Teodorescu, 2023). Educators must be constantly monitoring to ensure students are participating in the appropriate activity. It may also limit face-to-face interaction that helps students develop social and problem-solving skills that happen when interacting with peers. Educators should not rely completely on technology to engage and teach students. Likewise, students may become too dependent on technology if used too frequently (Qingshan, 2023). Educators must balance technology while also teaching specific skills that technology cannot teach. When technology is used as a supportive tool, it can enhance engagement and student involvement,  

Here is a great way to practice using one of the tools that was listed above: 

All images that were used on this blog, can directly from the specific websites and I own no rights to any of the images or logos 

References

 Aivaz, K.-A., & Teodorescu, D. (2023). Advantages and disadvantages of using devices during 

In-person courses: Case study at a public university in Romania. Studies in Business and 

Economics, 18(2), 24–36.

Qingshan Du. (2023). Analysis and suggestions on the advantages and disadvantages of smart 

classroom in the ppplication of geography teaching in senior middle school. Science 

Insights Education Frontiers, 15, 1. https://doi.org/10.15354/sief.23.s1.ab001