Interactive Learning Activities
Think–Pair–Share interactive learning activity is the most prominent when it comes to classroom interactive learning as it provides each student with an ability to think individually, through pairs and share what they think about a particular question. The Think–Pair–Share is considered interactive because it allows the teacher to children interaction and student to student interaction which fosters a cohesive and engaging learning environment. The teacher poses a question to students, which prompts the student to think it on a personal level, and then they are paired with other students and allowed to share each of their answers with the rest of the class. Think–Pair–Share is useful because “It helps focus attention and engage students in comprehending the reading material” (Reading Rockets). According to the author, this is very effective in the learning process because it further allows students to think as individuals and as a group, which positively impacts their social interaction process.
Jigsaw interactive learning activity is an effective technique that can be adopted in the classroom to improve students’ interaction through group formation. The students can be grouped into about 5 groups where they should be all be gender, race, ethnicity, and ability sensitive. The second step would be to ensure that one mature student from the group is selected. Additionally, each group selects or is assigned a topic or a question for discussion, and every group should assign each member a segment which they should be allowed to familiarize themselves with critically adequately. After the groups have presented their answer or topic to the other groups, then it can go further by selecting the experts from all groups to form a new group. According to Brown University (n.d), jigsaw interactive learning ensures allows “the engagement of all students with the material and in the process of working together, learning from each other, and sharing and critically analyzing a diversity of ideas.” Thus jigsaw is one of the interactive learning activities that can be adopted in classrooms to ensure the interaction of students for better comprehension.
References
Brown University. (n.d.). Interactive classroom activities | Sheridan center | Brown University. Retrieved from https://www.brown.edu/sheridan/teaching-learning-resources/teaching-resources/classroom-practices/active-learning/interactive
Reading Rockets. (n.d.). Think-Pair-Share. Retrieved from https://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/think-pair-share#:~:text=Think%2Dpair%2Dshare%20(TPS,2)%20share%20ideas%20with%20classmates