Ed Tech Blog
![Increase Classroom Engagement with Parlay Class Discussion Topics and Activities - Erintegration](https://www.erintegration.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Square-Template-8.jpg)
If you ever wanted your students to speak up more, or if you have ever felt like a few students dominated all classroom discussions, then Parlay might change your classroom for the better. Parlay is an online class discussion tool that assists teachers to create classroom discussions. Classrooms that have used Parlay have reported an 85% increase in participation. This post will go through everything you need to know about Parlay, from why it is beneficial for the classroom, to an overview of the steps you need to follow to start the discussions.
What’s the big deal with discussion forums in the classroom anyway? When you bring discussions into the classroom, you will more than double a student’s achievement, and teach the students about analytical reasoning and communication. But there is one thing to point out, these benefits are limited to the students who actively participate. A discussion forum in the classroom provides a unique way for every student to participate in discussing a particular topic.
Parlay is a discussion forum for the classroom that provides all the advantages that a traditional discussion can have for the classroom. Parlay has reported that students feel more comfortable participating, and communicating, as well as feeling more respected by their peers. These improvements were all seen in a short period of time (less than 3 months), and with only 8 RoundTable discussions for the classrooms.
Apart from just being a discussion forum for your classroom, Parlay can act like a new classroom management software that gives you ample data on each and every one of your students. This can help you understand what is holding specific students back, and how interactive they are with others.
To understand how Parlay can help you manage your classroom, you need to know how it functions. Let’s go over how Parlay is used in the...
Read more: Parlay: A Place where Students have Meaningful Discussions
![New report: Covid-19 International Student Well-being Study (C19 ISWS) - WUR](https://www.wur.nl/upload/4ee96e4a-7b63-4113-a0b1-0559d4f43a44_wellbeing-1.jpg)
Can students reach their full potential and thrive in their studies if they struggle with maintaining their well-being?
Research has shown time and time again that student well-being is linked with academic success. While well-being can refer to cognitive, psychological, physical, and social wellness, a disruption in one aspect is likely to lead to some emotional distress.
So, how can we help students lead healthy lives to maximize their academic potential?
Some research and academic institutions develop technologies and programs to help students and employees improve their mental and physical fitness. One example is the BioDash program designed by the Centre for Wellbeing Science at the University of Melbourne to help improve focus, reduce anxiety, and optimize performance.
With anxiety and depression rates going up during and after the pandemic, we should start shifting how we approach overall wellbeing in our communities. And that includes our students.
As we move into the post-pandemic era, engaging students in conversations about mental health can create safe stigma-free spaces where discussions on wellbeing are normalized. While students may be reluctant to open up about their struggles, starting a meaningful conversation may make things easier.
As educators, we may still need guidance and lack...
![Kahoot: The free game-based learning platform as trialled by science – Caroline Raven](https://lookoutforlearning.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/kahoot-in-action.png?w=584)
In a world that had been dominated by technology, it is only natural that these tools are used throughout the classroom to promote technical ability in students all while increasing engagement. It is no secret that the influx of new technology has been overwhelming, causing attention issues and limiting engagement with traditional classroom teaching methods.
Gamification is a key buzzword in both education and corporations as people work to ensure that they are getting the most out of every interaction with the audiences in front of them. This became particularly important when virtual training, classes, and distance learning took the world by storm.
Kahoot is an online platform that can be used in a variety of settings, one of the most popular being the K-12 education classroom. Some teachers use the tools outlined in Kahoot to practice skills, prepare for, and take assessments, or even as a tool to help wrangle students who cannot seem to get out the wiggles.
What is Kahoot?
With the uncertainty and flexibility that came with the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a sudden and significant shift in the methods of teaching and interaction that was able to happen between a teacher and their students.
Read more: Kahoot: Creating Fun and Encouraging Engagement of Learners
![Scene at Dulaney: Digital Art Class – The Griffin](https://dulaneygriffin.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/arianagladstone.bewleyWEB.jpg)
Creativity continues to be a sought-after skill in high school graduates. Post-secondary educators and employers recognize the need for this next generation to be content creators who can design original, eye-catching art and text to represent the brand, company, or institution. Truly, creating is no longer just for the art major; it’s beneficial for all students to have experience in creating digital art as part of their repertoire. When students have digital art in their portfolio, it showcases them as versatile and flexible.
Although some teachers may view digital art as intimidating, it’s important to consider how this art form can break down the barriers for those students who don’t see themselves as artists capable of working with a traditional medium. Digital drawing tools today are intuitive, easy to use, and may be more approachable to digital natives than a medium like canvas and charcoal. Additionally, with so many apps to choose from (check out this list of student-friendly 12 digital art apps), teachers can select apps that meet the appropriate ability and skill level of the class.
Educators seeking to blend digital art into their curriculum should gain some familiarity with digital art tools as a starting point. With...
Read more: Cultivating Creativity by Incorporating Digital Art Into The Classroom
![Microsoft Surface Pro 8 review: the best Surface yet - The Verge](https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/hermano/verge/product/image/9694/bfarsace_211004_4777_0043_sq.jpg)
In this era, we can all agree that technology is a key player in the success of every industry, and the education sector is no exception. From software tools to hardware tools, technology is playing a critical role in how teachers and students collaborate, access educational resources, communicate, and improve the overall academic processes.
Technology devices like the Microsoft Surface have been specifically designed to provide teachers and students with the resources needed to bring learning to life in the classroom. The use of Microsoft Surface in the classroom ensures that students have access not just to classroom learning materials, but also to other supportive tools like Microsoft Teams and Microsoft 365.
Here are ways in which using Microsoft Surface in the classroom can improve the learning experiences for teachers and students.
Improves Blended Learning
Blended learning is fast gaining traction in many learning institutions across the country and the world at large. It combines technology with traditional teacher-to-student learning.
This could be done in a face-to-face mode such that as the teacher is teaching, more instructions could be given on the Microsoft Surface devices in the classroom for students to follow. It could also be done at the end...
Read more: Bring Learning to Life by Incorporating Microsoft Surface in the Classroom
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If you have ever wanted to take your students back in time to show them that history is as interesting as you tell them, then you need to learn more about using Virtual Reality (VR) technology in the classroom. This post will take you through everything you need to know before you start buying VR supplies. We will start with the differences between Augmented Reality (AR) and VR, the benefits of VR, and how it can help your students learn more.
A general rule in learning is that students remember 20% of what they hear, 30% of what they see, and 50% of what they both see and hear. They remember 80% of the things they experience personally. To take advantage of this level of remembrance, you need to utilize VR and AR technology because it is one of the only ways to give the students a personal experience in the classroom.
What is the difference between AR and VR anyway? They are two new technologies shaking up the world of education. AR is software that projects a layer on the surroundings of the user. The software can project parts of the surroundings, project an object, and much more but the...
Read more: Show your Students the World using Virtual Reality