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?

Can E-Learning Systems Really Change a Classroom?

A lot of ink has been spilled in the educational community about using new digital tools to revolutionize learning. On the other hand, to many people, going digital seems like just one new trend using the latest popular gadgets. E-learning systems have gained more and more steam, but do they really offer advantages in the classroom? In many cases, they do.

To understand why, it's important to define what we mean by e-learning systems. Lots of different experiments have been attempted to use new technology to remake the classroom, but not all of these new methods involve e-learning systems. An e-learning system is ultimately a real time, two-way, digital delivery system for live classroom teaching. That means that online courses with no teacher are not e-learning systems, and neither is one-way technology like software that only students use during or after class time. E-learning means integrating the strengths of digital technology with traditional, teacher-to-student learning.

That means that e-learning systems are essentially a lesson delivery platform that changes how a teacher can present information to students, and how students can interact with and respond to that information. The best e-learning systems offer tools that increase how engaging the lesson is and allow students to absorb and retain more information. Here are some examples:

Interactivity

Almost by definition, e-learning platforms are more interactive than traditional lessons. That's because every student has a touchscreen device instead of one whiteboard for the whole class. As a result, students can respond individually to the information, and can separately answer questions the teacher raises. Plus, because of the real-time digital whiteboard in the e-learning system, teachers can use more examples, visual references and slides, not limited by what they can draw on a chalkboard in the moment—and information is never erased.

Better feedback

Teachers can instantly take the pulse of a class to see if core ideas are coming through clearly. E-systems allow multiple feedback tools, including a simple poll option where students can all put in their answers and see the results instantly.

Adaptive

Teachers can adapt their lesson plan as they go, drawing on the Internet with co-browsing or dropping in a whiteboard and drawing a visual aid. E-learning systems combine the best features of a slideshow, a lecture, a whiteboard, and the Internet to maximize adaptability.

Of course, these are just a few of the ways that teachers are using e-learning systems to change the classroom experience into one that is more engaging, dynamic, and ultimately successful. Have you used e-learning systems? How did it change your classroom?

Several Reasons that Adaptive Learning Systems are Catching On

Remember what school used to be like? The teacher taught a concept, gave some examples on the chalkboard, and then moved on. Your homework was based on what you had learned that day in class—and if you didn't grasp it, tough luck. If you mentioned the idea of "adaptive learning systems" to a teacher just a few years ago, you might as well have been speaking a foreign language. Luckily, things have changed. Students today are able to learn in a style that is tailored to their individual needs. Read on, as HeuLab explains what adaptive learning systems are and why some educators think they're the best thing since sliced bread.

What is an adaptive learning system?

In a nutshell, it is a computerized teaching tool that tailors the presentation of lessons to individual students, based on how they respond to questions and task assignments.

Why are adaptive learning systems so great?

Some traditional educators are wary of adaptive learning systems, worrying that they will lose control of their students' educations or even that computers will take the place of teachers. Far from it! Adaptive learning systems can help teachers enhance every student's classroom experience. Some of the benefits of adaptive learning systems include:

• Adaptive learning systems let students learn at their own pace – Maybe Joey is a whiz at long division, while his classmate Jane is still struggling with more basic math skills. An adaptive learning system lets Joey advance through math problems more quickly, while still giving Jane the time she needs to master the basics.

• Adaptive learning systems free teachers to offer customized individual help – The example of Joey and Jane above is familiar to every teacher—and it's a struggle for every teacher. What's the best thing to do? Slow down to make sure Jane grasps the material, while Joey gets bored? Or keep moving so Joey stays engaged, while Jane is lost and frustrated? With adaptive learning systems, teachers don't have to make this choice. They can float around and offer individualized help to students—without worrying that the rest of the class is tuning out.

• Adaptive learning systems make students active, not passive, participants in their own education – Instead of sitting back while the teacher lectures, or letting other students answer all the questions, students using adaptive learning systems are forced to participate in their own educations. There is no hiding in the back row when this type of system is being used! Every student has to play a hands-on role in learning.

Are you eager to see HeuLab's adaptive learning system implemented in your child's school? What kind of a difference do you think it will make?

Addressing Common Problems with Free Classroom Management Software

Gone are the days when students simply sat at their desks with a notebook and pencil and the teacher stood at the chalkboard. Today's classrooms are likely to be full of students sitting at computers—with all the accompanying distractions and potentials for diversion. Free classroom management software is available which can help teachers stay in control of student behavior. Read on for some common complaints from teachers—and see how free classroom management software can help.

Problem #1: I can't get class started! In today's classrooms, this is a common scene: students are seated at individual computers before class, browsing the web or instant messaging friends. The bell rings and the teacher is ready to get started—but students keep on doing as they please. Sound familiar? You can put an immediate stop to this with free classroom management software that allows you to lock screens, as necessary.

Problem #2: My students don't pay attention to my lesson. Have you ever been in this situation? You've spent a lot of time planning a fantastic lesson, but your students don't even know it—they are too busy e-mailing, playing games, or perusing social media during your class. Using free classroom management software can enable you to easily eliminate all these distractions. You have the ability to limit students' Web access—giving them no other option but to engage with your lesson.

Problem #3: I can only be in one place at once! Picture it: you have an interactive lesson planned, and your students are staring intently at their screens. Are they looking at what you're showing them from your computer at the front of the room? Or are they goofing off on Facebook, or reading the latest celebrity gossip? With free classroom management software, you can monitor all users' activity from a central workstation. You don't have to walk around the room or lurk behind distracted students—you'll be able to see everything from your own desk.

Problem #4: My students need to remain engaged. Do your students tune out if they're not completely engaged with a lesson? This is not uncommon. Free classroom management software allows teachers to produce lessons that are interactive and hold students' attention. Whether it's voting in a quick pulse poll or sharing their screens with the rest of the class, students are involved in a hands-on learning experience.

Have you had any other problems that classroom management software might be able to help you address? By utilizing this tool from HeuLab, you can ensure the best learning environment and highest levels of engagement from your students.

The Many Benefits of Interactive eLearning

With so many differing opinions and studies out there, many teachers have no idea what to believe; is it a good idea to use eLearning materials or is it bad? Some say that the prevalence of social media, cell phones, and other technologies are shortening attention spans and making kids today too reliant on machines for their own good. But others see technology as a wonderful tool for teaching – one that shouldn't be dismissed. On the fence about whether interactive eLearning is a good choice for your classroom? Read on to understand just a few of the many benefits that it offers to both students and teachers.

Interactive eLearning is engaging

In a few years, it will probably be considered commonplace to have a teacher electronically networked to all of his or her students, to have students be able to observe and take notes on a teacher's presentation on a computer, and for all student work to be submitted and graded electronically. For now, though, interactive eLearning is the new kid in town, and many students' interests are sparked by this exciting integration of technology and education. Teachers should strike while the iron is hot and get engaged with interactive eLearning before the novelty wears off!

Interactive eLearning simplifies evaluation management

If you're a teacher, you probably remember the days of collecting messy piles of quizzes, tests, and exercises; you recall carting loads of papers home to mark, trying to decipher students' handwriting, explaining to your students that you managed to misplace someone's paper, and spending hours transferring grades to a grade book. With interactive eLearning, all student homework and in-class work, as well as quizzes and tests, can easily be completed and saved in an individual repository, and teachers can update grades in the online system in a fraction of the time they used to spend. Interactive eLearning can help streamline your evaluation processes, while also giving your aching arms and eyes a break. 

Interactive eLearning is flexible

With all the options available in interactive eLearning platforms, there is something to meet the needs of every teacher—and every student! Maybe you don't want to compile your lesson plans in an eLearning platform. Or maybe some of the work your students submit will be handwritten. No problem! Flexible platforms permit a wide range of different teaching and learning styles—and you can try out several different tools and approaches to see what works best for you and your students.

Interactive eLearning can be personalized

Interactive eLearning allows you to understand each student's needs. Student work is no longer completed in a "black box" that leaves the teacher with no idea of a student's processes or approach to work. With interactive eLearning, teachers can observe students in real-time—and make on-the-spot suggestions for course correction.

Teachers—have you used interactive eLearning in your classroom? How did you like it?

What Does a Great Lesson Look Like to Your Students?

What may seem like a powerful lesson to a teacher may seem like a boring, confusing lesson to a student. In order to have a delivery that excites and speaks to your students, you have to be willing to change a few things. The following are the keys to delivering effective and memorable lessons in your classroom. They can be used to teach students in any grade, from pre-school all the way up to college.

• Explain and state the objectives.  Each lesson that you teach will have a focus, which is centered on what you want the students to learn by the end of your lesson. It’s very important to share this goal with your students in terms that they understand, so everyone knows where the lesson is headed. It’s also important to refer to the objective a few times throughout the lesson so the students stay focused on what the goal is. 

• Set the rules.  Prior to every lesson, the teacher should remind students how they should behave as they participate in the class. If students are interacting with laptops or other technology, they should be reminded about the proper ways of handling the equipment and the consequences if the rules aren’t followed. Reviewing these expectations with students is an important way to keep everyone on track. 

• Engage your students.  Don’t let your students daydream -- keep them interested in your lesson delivery. To get your students involved in your lessons, create interactive presentations, share appealing web content, and other resources that will grab and keep your students’ attention. When your students are engaged, they will be able to take your lessons to levels you didn’t even know were possible. 

• Give positive reinforcement.  To keep your students going down the path you want, it’s important to give them feedback on how they’re doing. Be obvious and specific with your praise, so that students are aware that you’re noticing their involvement. Further, giving positive feedback is a great way of informing students that they’re meeting (or surpassing) your expectations. 

• Use questioning to further push students.  To fully develop your students’ reasoning abilities and comprehension, pose questions to them about the subject matter. Ask them "why," "how," and "if" questions that test their understanding and absorption of the material. It is through this questioning that you will be able to determine if the lesson’s objectives were met.

By incorporating these elements into your lessons, you will be creating effective methods for your students.

Ways to Boost Student Participation

Some educators refer to it as classroom participation, while others call it active learning. Regardless of what you call it, educators are constantly searching for ways to increase participation in their classes. All teachers want to work in a classroom where all students are engaged and involved in every lesson. The ideas below will help any teacher increase student participation in his or her classroom.

• Assess Prior Knowledge – Before even teaching a concept, allow students to share what they already know (or think they may know) about a topic. You can help organize information shared by using a “K” (what I already know), “W” (what I want to know), “L” (what I want to learn) chart. Teachers that use KWL charts on a regular basis say they see increased participation because students aren’t being asked to discuss or share what they learned through a lesson. Students are only sharing what they want to learn about something or what they already know. Teachers are then able to tailor their lesson to the information the students are interested in and haven't learned, which will further boost participation.

• Make and Share Participation Goals – To help students work towards participating more in class, make them responsible for meeting goals. Work with each student and set a realistic objective for them based on their previous participation in your class. You can then use classroom management systems that allow students to track their involvement online. When students are able to easily see how much they are participating, they are more likely to step up their efforts if they are not meeting their goals. Students love interacting with online classroom management systems because it lets them see how they’re performing in class as they work.

• Give Your Students a Voice – For students to be comfortable sharing in your class, you need to make sure that you’ve created an environment that welcomes openness. Obviously, as the teacher, you will make most of the decisions; however, there are some things that can be left up to them. When students feel that their ideas and opinions matter, they’re more likely to pay attention and speak up in class. Take time at the beginning of each school year to create an environment in your classroom where students can feel comfortable participating. Teach them early on that you value their input.

By incorporating the above ideas into your classroom, you will see more active learning going on in your classroom.