How to Create an Interactive Classroom

 How to Create an Interactive Classroom

(Developer, 2023)

    Are you getting bored with your lessons? How is your classroom dynamic? Changing your classroom into an Interactive classroom might be the change you need to make every day an engaging and fun day for both the teacher and the students! Learning is vastly different from how adults and our elders learn. Traditional learning consisted of limited resources, such as chalkboards and textbooks. Students learned by sitting quietly, listening to the teacher, and learning through repetition. Today, students learn through technology. The lessons are more student-centered and less teacher-centered. The lessons are more engaging, and students can learn through fun and engaging games. According to the book "The Interactive Class" by Joe and Kristin Merrill, you must follow the steps when creating an engaging lesson to develop an interactive classroom (Merrill, 2020, p 23)

1. Prepare
2. Innovate
3. Visualize
4. Observe
5. Troubleshoot

    Creating an Interactive classroom may be challenging initially, but it will become easier over time. Educators must persevere. "If you can persevere in the name of the passion, student growth will follow (Merrill, 2020, p 28). Another important aspect of making your classroom into an interactive classroom is the layout and the look. Your classroom should feel welcoming. Here are some characteristics of an interactive classroom.

1. Flexible- flexible seating, whole-class meeting space
2. Authentic- Students work showcased throughout the classroom
3. Colorful- use color for organization, carpet seating, and behavior
4. Engaging- Alexa, green screen, class-doorbell

    "An interactive classroom is a place where students are engaged and challenged" (Merrill, 2020, p.41). To become an Interactive, you must have these characteristics as a teacher

1. Be Personal
2. Be Positive 
3. Be Proactive

Having those characteristics will make students feel welcomed, and they have a voice. If you want to change your classroom dynamic into an Interactive one, I hope this post will help you start your journey!

(2021)

References

Merrill, J., & Merrill, K. (2020). The InterACTIVE class: Using Technology to Make Learning More Relevant and Engaging in the Elementary Classroom.

Developer, A. (2023, September 28). A teacher’s Guide to Interactive Classrooms. ClassVR. https://www.classvr.com/blog/a-teachers-guide-to-interactive-classrooms/ 

YouTube. (2021, June 19). Top 15 best educational apps for kids | Android and IOS | 2021 | free and paid. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2OUHYWpG8w 

Using Video Text in the Classroom

 Using Video Text

 (Norton, 2023)

How to use Video Text in the Classroom

    Technology is booming in the classroom at all grade levels in education, and it will not slow down! Using Video Text at school can be an engaging task or assignment for your students. If you are unfamiliar with video text, it is a short video clip conveying a message. When introducing video text to a class, it is best to start with a simple challenge of creating a video text, for example, a video text about a nursery rhyme, so that everyone can understand the process (Hicks, 2017) Students then gather images online on their given topic of discussion and proceeded to the next steps of drafting, revising, and editing, and then publish. In Crafting Digital Writing by Troy Hicks, he states, "Writers should focus on the main idea of telling stories, making an argument, or providing information"(Hicks, 2013, p. 114). When crafting a digital text, "Writing the script for the main body of the documentary in a voice that is both analytical and narrative; the issue must have a story behind it (Hicks, 2013, p.123).  Digital storytelling is a creator narration with images, music, sound, and video footage; sometimes, adding these details is a way to engage students in digital writing (Hicks, 2013).

How I used Video Text in my Introduction Video

    In my master's program, I created an Introduction video about myself. At that time, I did not know much about video text. Now that I know how to use video text in my creations, I can revise my video and make the necessary changes. First, I reviewed my original video and noted everything I needed to add and remove. Then, I made a script for the message I wanted to convey; I used the draft, revising, and editing process. A creator of video text should imagine their ideas visually and writing (Hicks,2013). Next, I decided on the program I wanted to edit my video. Then, I edited my video, adjusting timing and transition. Lastly, I published my finished product on my blog so readers can see my resubmission video. While making my video, I focused on the main idea of providing information and not straying away from that topic.  This video differs from my original video because I clearly convey and organize my points throughout the video. I did not shift off the main focus for the video, just as  I did in the original video. 

References 

Troy, H. (2013). Crafting digital writing: composing texts across media and genres. Heinemann.

Kristen Hawley Turner, & Hicks, T. (2017). Argument in the real world: teaching adolescents to read and write digital texts. Heinemann.

Norton, L. (2023, August 2). How to Send Video in a Text Message | SimpleTexting. SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It for Free. https://simpletexting.com/blog/how-to-send-video-via-text/

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Social Media Arguments

 Arguments In Social Media

 (IconicBestiary, 2020)

    If you are an educator and scrolling through social media, you might find a funny meme that someone created about times they were in school or a person's opinion about education. In this blog, I will analyze a post and the comments posted under it. On the social media platform "X," also known as the former Twitter. An X user posted his opinion about the opportunities students need more at school. For example, "To read and write about something that interests them," "To create what they love, not what they're told," "To solve a problem that's not from a math worksheet," and "To articulate their thinking instead of taking a quiz or test." Several users reposted and agreed, but one other user quoted and argued that students need balance and that people should consider the purpose of a lesson/task; she states that student voice and choice are required to foster engagement. The user then asked, "What other opportunities can you think of that school systems need?

     According to the text Argument in the Real World by Troy Hicks, readers, and writers should be MINDFUL in social media spaces (Hicks,2017). On the table of Being a Mindful Reader and Writer of Social Media Arguments, being a reader of this post, I can identify some components of being MINDFUL.

M- Monitoring: I can identify the purpose of reading this message. The author is expressing his opinions on what opportunities a student may need in school.

I- Identifying(the claim): The post's claim is also evident. The user claims that students need opportunities to be more creative in school.

N-Note(evidence): This post does not provide any evidence to support his claims. He did not use images, quotes, or statistics to make his statements factual. 

D-Determine(mindset): The creator's post made me feel differently because I agree with some of his claims on his post. I do believe students should have more creative freedom in some of the tasks they have to do 

F-Facts: The creator of this post presents opinions, and they did not present any evidence behind the post. 

U-Understand (counter-argument): This post could be confrontational because some readers may not agree with his opinions on what schools need more. For example, another user quoted the tweet and stated that schools must be balanced. People should consider the lesson's purpose or task and constantly ask why.

L—Leverage(my response): If I had engaged with this post, I would have shown facts against claims to support my reasoning for posting the message. 

   To create a compelling argument, "An author must think about the question and plan their approach to constructing a message. Then, they must write the text featured in the media. The author should build the argument by cementing and elaborating on the purpose and how they communicate their message effectively. Then, the author must create the object"(Lawrence, 2022, pg.36).

     If a creator starts an argument on social media, they should understand what they are trying to achieve and not get off track. They should also have evidence to support their claim. You will also need logic, facts, and sense to win an argument. Asking the opposing person to provide facts can help you win an argument(Vivian, 2015). " Providing facts that prove the statement or explaining their feelings behind an opinion. By making them think more about it, they’ll often see that they are wrong without you needing to prove that they were wrong"(Vivian, 2015).

References

Lawrence, D. (2022). Digital writing : a guide to writing for social media and the web. Broadview Press.

Kristen Hawley Turner, & Hicks, T. (2017). Argument in the real world : teaching adolescents to read and write digital texts. Heinemann.

https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ZhiYuanTan91. (2015). How To Win Every Argument On Social Media – The Art Of Arguing. Seopressor.com. https://seopressor.com/blog/win-social-media-argument-the-art-of-arguing/

Angry men, women send aggressive chat messages & argue on social... (n.d.). IStock. https://www.istockphoto.com/vector/angry-men-women-send-aggressive-chat-messages-argue-on-social-media-indignant-gm1261664299-369260853

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Adobe in the Classroom

    

(Adobe Logo and Symbol, Meaning, History, PNG, n.d.)

     You may have heard of Adobe software if you are a writer, graphic designer, and/or videographer. Adobe is used by many people who have careers in digital technology. Adobe is also a great resource to use in the classroom, allowing students to become creative in their classwork. "One of the biggest hurdles students and professionals face in breaking into writing-intensive careers is overcoming the obstacle of learning seemingly complex design software" (Lawrence, 2022, p.109 ). Learning how to use Adobe can be beneficial to students in the future. Students who are inspiring writers will have a high advantage in the job market if they are familiar with Adobe. This knowledge can enhance a writer's job application (Lawrence, 2022). Below is an infographic on how using Adobe is beneficial in today's classroom.

Adobe in the Classroom (Infographics) by Shania Moore  

What is Adobe's role in Education?

    If you go to any classroom today, you will see how teachers integrate technology into their lessons and students' learning. Technology is going nowhere, and it is steadily advancing every day. That is why digital literacy is essential. Having digital literacy will prepare students for the future workforce. Adobe promotes teaching and developing digital literacy capabilities. Creative thinking, critical thinking, storytelling, and collaboration are recognized as essential skills to help prepare students for their future careers(Anon, 2022). Allowing students to be creative should be more integrated in the classroom. This will enable the classroom to become more student-led and less teacher-led. Students expressing their feelings and imagination is beneficial. This will also foster an attentive classroom.

    Adobe looks complicated, so many educators and students stray from the software. However, Adobe has many training videos users can use (Lawrence, 2022)." Adobe is used in almost every company in North America; Adobe is used to create your favorite billboards, print brochures, and social media advertisements" (Lawrence, 2022, p.110). Do not be discouraged from using Adobe. It has many pros for educators and students, no matter their education level.   

(Creating Engaging Lessons with Adobe Express, n.d.)

References 

What is Adobe doing in education? (2020, March 12). Academia the Technology Group. https://academia.co.uk/what-is-adobe-doing-in-education/

‌Lawrence, D. (2022). Digital writing : a guide to writing for social media and the web. Broadview Press.

Adobe logo and symbol, meaning, history, PNG. (n.d.). https://1000logos.net/adobe-logo/

Creating Engaging Lessons With Adobe Express. (n.d.). Www.youtube.com. Retrieved February 4, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJpbs1X13tA

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Student Blogging

  

(Zafar, F. 2019)

  Have you ever noticed when you are looking at videos or reading blog posts to get ideas about something you specifically searched for and the creator of that blog is advertising a product, and if you use their code, you can get a discount off of the product they are promoting? I have, and those advertisements encouraged me to buy products creators have announced to get discount codes. Have you ever asked yourself if they are getting paid to advertise this product? Well, the answer to that question is yes! They are getting paid. That is because individual blog creators monetized their blogs. According to (Lawrence, 2022, p.88) "Individuals typically monetize their blog with advertisements, product sales, or affiliate links to generate revenue from their blog traffic." There is another type of blog called business blog. "Business blogs are typically not monetized in this way...Instead,  companies will use their blogs to funnel traffic to their main sales pages or even just to create brand awareness"(Lawrence, 2022, p.88). 

     Blogging has many benefits for students, and it is a healthy way for students to express their ideas and interests through writing. Students are always finding ways to express themselves, and starting a blog is a great way to express themselves; this can develop critical thinking skills where they are learning how to research topics they are interested in at a college level. Blogging may also help mental health because a blog is similar to an online journal (David, 2022). "They can be used to share feelings, thoughts, concerns, and even encouragement and inspiration between individuals and groups" (David, 2022).  It is an excellent way for students to use digital writing because it promotes active engagement within the classroom. As an educator, I highly suggest students start their own individual blog.

    When I go through my personal social media accounts, I also notice many young business owners today who are kids. Some students want to start their own businesses in the school that I currently teach. Now that I have gained knowledge about blogs and their benefits, I will begin encouraging the students in my school to create their own blogs or business blogs to promote their businesses in the future. 

https://www.advantageim.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/blog.jpg

References

  

David. (2022, June 6). 5 benefits of blogging for students. Paid for Grades. https://paidforgrades.org/5-benefits-of-blogging-for-students/

Lawrence, D. (2022). Digital writing: A guide to writing for social media and the web. Broadview

 Press.Zafar, F. (2019, May 23). WordPress vs blogger: Which one is better? Webful Creations. https://www.webfulcreations.com/wordpress-vs-blogger-whos-better/

 Why we blog: The truths behind blogging for business. (2019, June 25). Advantage Internet Marketing. https://www.advantageim.com/why-we-blog-the-truths-behind-blogging-for-business/