Interactive Learning
Spiral offers several activities that can wake up any lesson, making it more engaging through interactive learning. The ICAP Framework outlines a taxonomy of four modes of engagement, one being, “interactive”(Chi & Wylie, 2014). Students thrive when their learning is interactive, as proven by studies, such as one that boasts results of between fifty and ninety percent of coursework being retained by students engaged in interactive e-learning programs (Agora Team, 2017). Spiral’s platform promotes high student engagement through its interactive learning activities.
Collaboration and Interaction
In raving about Interactive Learning, Jaggannathan and Blair (2013) acknowledge the positive impact that collaboration and interaction has on learner engagement. Active interaction cultivates an exchange of knowledge which sets the foundation for discovery, exploration, and the obtaining of skills and strategies (Matriano, 2020). Through its exciting features, Spiral encourages and provides spaces for collaboration and interaction. In one feature, students can share responses that are shared with the entire class. Teachers and students may interact with those responses. There’s also a discussion board feature that can be utilized with video clips that students respond to in real time as they watch, and can view other responses. Collaboration is at each student’s fingertips through a feature which allows students to link devices and create presentations together, while constantly displaying each member’s contribution and activity. When the time comes for students to present, classmates may interact with the presentation in several ways including, submitting questions which appear at the conclusion.
Targets Diverse Learning Styles
One staple of interactive learning which adds to its appeal, is that it encompasses the capability of tapping into multiple learning styles, thus offering each learner a rich and engaging experience. Oftentimes, interactive learning is provided through the integration of multimedia. When learners are afforded these types of learning opportunities, they are able to, in their own way, unique to themselves, comfortably access information, regardless of their learning style (Rackaway, 2012). It is imperative that learning is individualized by acknowledging and catering to diverse learning styles. Through using Spiral, auditory, visual, kinesthetic, and learners in between, are all connected to activities that directly connect to their way of learning. Learners can engage by watching, listening, and even creating. Of course, when learners are taught in the ways they learn best, they can anticipate success in the learning task at hand, which as Reiser and Dempsey (2017) espouse, motivates learner engagement.
Inspires Curiosity
In his research, Luther Rotto (1994) linked curiosity to learner engagement in interactive lessons. Based on Reiser and Dempsey’s (2017) findings, curiosity is indeed a motivator for participating in learning activities. The quest to know and fill in knowledge gaps drive many to engage in learning experiences. Spiral lures curious learners in by offering information in colorful, interactive ways. Learners can learn more about a concept through a video, where they interact by responding to questions placed throughout the video, which check for understanding. Learners also, build on their curiosity by exploring and creating presentations of their own to share with others. Using Spiral, instructors can incorporate visuals such as pictures and charts that pique the interest of students. The non-intimating methods of questioning through Spiral allow both students and instructors to recognize knowledge gaps, without embarrassing learners. Learners can also gauge their knowledge in comparison to classmates, further inspiring motivation through curiosity and a quest to learn more.
References
Chi, M. T., Wylie, R. (2014). The ICAP Framework: Linking Cognitive Engagement to Active Learning Outcomes. Educational Psychologist, V. 49 (n4), p.219-243 Retrieved from ERIC: https://eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ1044018
Jaggannathan, U., Blair, R. (2013). Engage the disengaged: strategies for addressing the expectations of today’s online millennials. Distance Learning, Volume 10 (Issue 4), p. 1-7 Retrieved from EBSCO:
Matriano, E. A. (2020). Ensuring Student-Centered, Constructivist and Project-Based Experiential Learning Applying the Exploration, Research, Interaction and Creation (ERIC) Learning Model. International Online Journal of Education and Teaching, v7 (n1) p. 214-227 Retrieved from ERIC: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1244245.pdf
Rackaway, C. (2012). Video Killed the Textbook Star? Use of Multimedia Supplements to Enhance Student Learning. Journal of Political Science Education and Teaching, Vol. 8 (Issue 2) p. 189-200 Retrieved from EBSCOhost: http://web.a.ebscohost.com.oclc.fullsail.edu:81/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=6&sid=673e34da-aff9-482f-81b9-017ef391caf6%40sdc-v-sessmgr01
Reiser, R. A., Dempsey, J. V. (2017). Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and
Technology. New York: Pearson.
Rotto, L. I., (1994). Curiosity, Motivation, and “Flow” in Computer Based Instruction. ERIC.
Spiraling Through Learning with Spiral
Motivation through satisfying outcomes: Learners are able to use Spiral as a way to interact with one another through learning spaces. One of its features I Team Up where learners are able to collaboration together to share presentations, from different devices and even use whiteboard for activities. Another feature of Spiral that is meaningful is Quickfire Lite. Quickfire Lite has different questions formats. There is a poll feature, open discussions, multiple choice questions, canvas for drawing and annotations, and auditable response that students can speak into. This format provides the learner with satisfaction in knowing that they are able to contribute and succeed. Teachers create assessments and review the learner’s progress. Teachers are able to…
Spiral
What a great interactive resource! I was looking for a new tool to effectively engage my students and I really like that I can give instant feedback to my students.
In my 9 years of teaching, I had no problems motivating them in person, but this task became extremely hard in the virtual world.
After reading this blog, and exploring Spiral, I started using it right away in both of my classes. What I like the most about this tool is the array of options available. The teachers can ask a verbal question, create a quiz with a different type of responses, use a video clip to teach and ask questions, set up a discussion, or team up…
Technology & Education
Research shows that multimedia technology embedded in instruction promotes student academic achievement (Chambers et al., 2008; Kingsley & Boone, 2008). The ways in which today’s students learn were shaped by growing up in the digital age (Feiertag & Berge, 2008; Simpson & Clem, 2008). Programs like Spiral offer a myriad of possible integrations for technology all on one platform. Spiral can be used in a one-to-one classroom, a virtual classroom, or a hybrid learning situation. All of which are currently the rage during this global pandemic.
User friendly interactive learning helps teachers to overcome the intimidation of trying something new, and teachers who believe technology enhances their existing curriculum are most likely to integrate technology into their…