How Interactive Learning Systems Change the Classroom

Whether you're a teacher, a parent or a student, chances are you've heard of interactive learning systems. These systems are taking the educational world by storm and revolutionizing the way that classes are taught. They have the power to increase student engagement, make lessons more interactive and interesting, and ultimately lead to greater knowledge absorption and retention.

However, many educators and parents are cautious about interactive learning systems. There have been many gadgets and fads over the years in our classrooms, and it's hard to believe that these new learning systems can really make such a big difference. To see how interactive learning systems are different and what kind of effect they have, it's important to understand exactly what interactive learning systems are and how they work.

Not all classroom digital technologies qualify as interactive learning systems. For example, students might be given touchscreen tablets as a classroom device instead of pen and paper, or even be given educational apps. While these technological aids may be helpful, they are not interactive. Interactive means that the students and the teacher are interacting together in a shared digital environment via their devices. This two-way, group interactivity is the hallmark of true interactive learning systems.

Additionally, an interactive learning system generally serves as the teacher's lesson delivery platform. In other words, the interactive environment is not just an add-on used for 15 minutes out of a 50 minute period, nor is it used for assignments only. Instead, it is woven into all aspects of lecture, demonstration, and discussion, making the entire lesson more interactive and engaging. That means that a true interactive e-learning system generally replaces the chalkboard, whiteboard, and TV screen, becoming a single platform that presents all of these elements.

With that in mind, you can start to see why interactive systems make such a difference. It means that every student has a front-row view of the teacher's diagrams and visual aids, and at the same time every student—not just whoever gets called on—can answer questions during the lesson via their touchscreen device. Movies, visual aids, Internet browsing, slides, and polls are all seamless parts of a single focused learning environment.

When a classroom uses interactive learning systems, students find that it's easier to pay attention and understand the information that is being presented. Teachers find that there are less distractions and that students remember core concepts more easily.

Have you tried interactive learning systems at all? What was your experience?