Most students have digital devices which they bring with them to the classroom. That device is normally a mobile phone but can include tablets or laptops as well. These devices can be used for interactive learning activities and to get immediate feedback about how much students are learning.
Teaching activities using student devices
Below are some ideas of how student digital devices can be used in the classroom as part of teaching and learning activities:
Polling
Polling software allows you to ask students questions, either with set answers such as multiple choice questions, or via free response answers. Polling can be a particularly helpful approach for large classes where students might be reluctant to speak out. You can use polling to ask key questions which test the content covered in a lecture, or to prompt thinking about key concepts ahead of introducing them. Many academics have found it useful to get students to discuss their polling answers, even in large lectures.
The University has a license for EchoPoll which can be used for polling, but there is also other polling software with free, limited options.
Gathering feedback and ideas
Tools like Padlet can be helpful for getting feedback and ideas anonymously across the class quickly. Academics have used it for collating ideas and perspectives, and for getting feedback on module improvements.
Exploring key information
Students can use their devices to do further micro-research tasks in class, further exploring a key concept to report back to the class, either individually or in small groups. This could take place in the classroom or using breakout social learning spaces nearby.
Creating resources
Using collaborative documents like Office 365, students can contribute to collective resources which are built during class time and beyond. Groups of students can make short presentations collaboratively to feed back on micro-research tasks.
Assistive technology
Some students will also benefit from using assistive technology to support their learning in class, including note-taking tools, recordings and other assistive technology. The Assistive Technology team provides advice and guidance to students on the range of tools provided by the institution as well as available more widely.
Recording Teaching
Another use of digital technologies in the classroom is recording your teaching. Recording equipment is provided in most teaching rooms and academics are asked to record their teaching when new content for students is covered. Where academics decide their teaching is not suitable for recording, they should provide students with an acceptable alternative when new content is being covered.
