What's so special about interactive learning?

 

Firstly, let’s start with the big question: What is interactive learning?

In the simplest terms, it is learning that requires participation from the student and/or the teacher. The main goal is to incorporate physical movement and interaction for more effective learning.

During the covid lockdown, it was not always easy to have face-to-face interactions with people but that does not mean that there were no other forms of interactive communication. Interactions can occur between students, between the teacher and student, a hands-on exercise for a student to do on their own and an engaging multimedia activity for a student to do on their own or with someone else.

Click the link to learn more about easy-to-use interactive learning tools and apps!

Interactive learning promotes:

• Engagement with information.
• Better memory retention.
• Flexible learning.
• Accountability on the student’s part.
• Physical participation and engagement (motor skills).
• Critical thinking skills to be gained and maintained.

 

How can interactive learning techniques help you teach and learn at the same time?

There are various learning styles, and the main ones are visual learning, auditory learning, and kinaesthetic learning.

We all make use of all the styles but most people have a dominant learning style.

[Learning style: The way in which a student best remembers and retains information.]

Your dominant learning style is very important to know because it impacts how you learn, think, interact with, communicate with, and relate to, others. It also determines how you approach problem solving and how you operate on day-to-day life.

Now back to why interactive learning is relevant…

Interactive learning makes provision for all three styles simultaneously, making it very effective.

For example, if you were watching an instructive video and coping the actions, you would have a visual aid, you’d have to practice your listening skills and you would use physical movement by mimicking what is happening in the video.

Another example would be class discussions where students will be able to expand their minds and perspectives as well as learn to be respectful and patient and also build their self-confidence through social engagement.

These activities are so beneficial for both younger and more mature students. As a student or a teacher, you benefit from interactive learning and teaching!