Interactive learning allows learners to actively participate in the learning process, as well as realize knowledge and develop skills through the information and learning experience provided by you – the teacher. The aim is to engage the learners in many ways, such as intellectually, emotionally and socially. When designing learning and teaching activities, the key is to focus on what you intend the learner to be doing.

Here are 20 teaching ideas for interactive learning:

1.    Pre-quizzes

Give learners a reading that introduces key ideas and concepts. Before, or at the start of class, the learners take a pre-quiz that probes their understanding of the key concepts. The teacher then adapts the upcoming lesson based on what the learners demonstrate they understand. Teaching tools such as a student response system or computer quiz tool can make this easy to do in a classroom.

2.    Class Discussions

Discussions can be structured or unstructured to maximize learner interaction. For example, learners read an article with two or three questions to focus their learning and then in groups discuss the answers to these questions.

3.    Class Debates

This teaching method is where the teacher chooses two or more learners to speak on each side of an issue. It is useful for learners to argue for the position they would not normally take on an issue. In this way, they get to see other points of view. At the end of the debate, the teacher can then facilitate a discussion involving the whole class and end the activity with the whole class voting on one side of the issue.

4.    Team Competition

Teams compete against each other on a test rather than as individuals.

5.    Peer Review

Learners share their completed assignments with a peer, and give and receive feedback to each other. The aim is to learn from ‘mistakes’ and to improve the assignment before it is submitted to the teacher for marking.

6.    Simulations

Find a computer-based simulation which runs over the web so that the learners can see it in action and track the consequences of change. This activity offers a way of encouraging learners to engage with the principles of a subject through a simulation.

7.    Case Studies

Give learners a real world problem to solve or process to work through. The case studies can also be used as teaching resources for a role play exercise and/or the basis for class discussions.

8.    Interviews

Learners interview each other, the teacher or a guest expert. They ask questions and receive immediate feedback with this teaching activity.

9.    Learner-led Discussions

Learners pose a critical thinking question on an issue from a chapter in the textbook and then facilitate a class discussion on that issue. This works particularly well for adult interactive learning as they tend to value autonomy.

10.    Role Playing

Learners take on different roles and explore the role and consequences of particular actions. This one of those teaching activities that engages the learner emotionally and intellectually with specific issues – as they have to act as if they are this role.

11.    Games

Games are useful for engaging emotions and learning through purposeful play. Re-purpose common games into academic games e.g. using cards, and commercials. TV game shows work well e.g. there are ‘Jeopardy’ powerpoints available for free online that can be adapted.

12.    Brainstorming

A large group brainstorms answers to a question or problem situation. It is useful for generating a broad range of idea about a topic or problem. People are free to contribute ideas without getting any comments.  The teacher then provides a synthesis of the ideas.

13.    Nominal Group Techniques

First, ask learners to privately make a list of answers to a question. Secondly, ask them to post their answers to a general pool (e.g. stick on a wall). Thirdly, facilitate a group activity where the group discusses and evaluates the answers.

14.    Project Groups

Set up one or more projects and one or more project teams. The projects have well-defined goals and deadlines. This activity helps develop team working skills and demonstrates to learners how difficult it can be to participate in a team project with different personalities.

15.    Peer Teaching

Allow learners to teach and present on a topic as this develops responsibility in learners and increases their motivation and participation. Learners devise content and share it with others face-to-face or online through personal blogs.

16.    Mobile Learning

These devices enable learning at any place, at any time. For example, mobile study questionnaires are a free way to give your learner’s access to mobile multiple choice quizzes that you can utilize in the classroom. E.G. http://www.mobilestudy.org/home

17.    Web Assignments

Combine the classroom environment with the use of the Internet. Web assignments can encourage learners to prepare for the classroom activity. E.G. develop interactive online examples for a topic and/or deliver the pre-quizzes mentioned earlier online.

18.    Scavenger Hunts

Learners seek answers from others, or from written textbooks or articles.

19.    Progressive Problem Solving

Put the learners into pairs. The pairs identify options to solve a problem, and then rank the options. Get learners to change partners and rank the top options. Continue with different pairings until only one option remains.

20.    Skits

Learners create and act in a skit or play designed to amusingly demonstrate an issue or topic.

This article was first published on my old site: interactivelearningideas.com on  February 9, 2010.