Научная статья на тему: "Interactive and collaborative online learning"

Interactive and collaborative online learning

As technology grows and develops, teachers and trainers are gaining more and more ways to successfully engage their students.

Interactive Learning is a pedagogical approach that incorporates social networking and urban computing into course design and delivery. Interactive Learning has evolved out of the hyper-growth in the use of digital technology and virtual communication, particularly by students. Beginning around 2000, students entering institutes of higher education have expected that interactive learning will be an integral part of their education. The use of interactive technology in learning for these students is as natural as using a pencil and paper were to past generations.

Using games to teach grammar not only engages students but also helps them to remember what they’ve learned. This method allows teachers to tailor their lessons to the different learning styles of students. For instance, each student can be given a large flashcard with a word on it, and the students must physically arrange themselves into a proper sentence. Other games can include word puzzles or fun online quizzes.

HERE ARE SOME GREAT WEBSITES FOR TEACHING ENGLISH GRAMMAR INTERACTIVELY.

Kahoot! is great for distance learning and self study. It’s a platform that gives teachers the tools to create their own quizzes based on grammar or vocabulary. Teachers can also search for pre-made games designed by other education professionals – such as these ones on homophones, phrasal verbs and articles. Teachers can host games live on their computers or challenge students to complete them on their own time. To get started, learners enter a pin number on their personal devices, gaining access to a virtual games room. Here they compete against their classmates for points and streaks, and their scores are featured on the teacher’s leaderboard. Kahoot! also features funky background music – which definitely adds to the fun for students!

Brainpop: Brainpop offers amazing and great content for the students wanted to learn advanced level of grammar. The website is founded in 1999 and has very engaging contents that help students to learn and educators to teach their students.

Road to Grammar: Road to Grammar is also among the best website where people can learn advanced level of grammar. You can find many amazing and interactive quizzes as well as lesson that deficiently help you to nourish your grammar skills.

Collaborative learning

Collaborative learning is the educational approach of using groups to enhance learning through working together. Groups of two or more learners work together to solve problems, complete tasks, or learn new concepts.

This approach actively engages learners to process and synthesize information and concepts, rather than using rote memorization of facts and figures. Learners work with each other on projects, where they must collaborate as a group to understand the concepts being presented to them. Through defending their positions, reframing ideas, listening to other viewpoints and articulating their points, learners will gain a more complete understanding as a group than they could as individuals.

Why Use Collaborative Learning?

Research shows that educational experiences that are active, social, contextual, engaging, and student-owned lead to deeper learning. The benefits of collaborative learning include:

• Development of higher-level thinking, oral communication, self-management, and leadership skills.

• Promotion of student-faculty interaction.

• Increase in student retention, self-esteem, and responsibility.

• Exposure to and an increase in understanding of diverse perspectives.

• Preparation for real life social and employment situations.

Considerations for Using Collaborative Learning

• Introduce group or peer work early in the semester to set clear student expectations.

• Establish ground rules  for participation and contributions.

• Plan for each stage of group work.

• Carefully explain to your students how groups or peer discussion will operate and how students will be graded.

• Help students develop the skills they need to succeed, such as using team-building exercises or introducing self-reflection techniques.

• Consider using written contracts.

• Incorporate  self -assessment and  peer  assessment for group members to evaluate their own and others' contributions.

Getting Started with Collaborative Learning

Shorter in-class collaborative learning activities generally involve a three-step process. This process can be as short as five minutes, but can be longer, depending on the task at hand.

• Introduce the task. This can be as simple as instructing students to turn to their neighbor to discuss or debate a topic.

• Provide students with enough time to engage with the task. Walk around and address any questions as needed.

• Debrief. Call on a few students to share a summary of their conclusions. Address any misconceptions or clarify any confusing points. Open the floor for questions.

For larger group work projects, here are some strategies to help ensure productive group dynamics:

• Provide opportunities for students to develop rapport and group cohesion through  icebreakers, team-building, and reflection exercises.

• Give students time to create a group work plan allowing them to plan for deadlines and divide up their responsibilities.

• Have students  establish ground rules. Students can create a contract for each member to sign. This contract can include agreed-upon penalties for those who fail to fulfill obligations.

• Assign roles to members of each group and change the roles periodically. For example, one student can be the coordinator, another the note-taker, another the summarizer, and another the planner of next steps.

• Allow students to rate each other’s quality and quantity of contributions. Use these evaluations when giving individual grades, but do not let it weigh heavily on a student's final grade. Communicate clearly how peer assessment will influence grades.

• Check in with groups intermittently but encourage students to handle their own issues before coming to you for assistance.

WORKSHEETS FOR INTERACTIVE AND COLLABORATIVE ONLINE LEARNING

Look at each of these sentences and pay careful attention to the subject/verb agreement. Are they correct or not?

1. Everyone have done the homework as expected.

2. Some of the money is missing.

3. Somebody has forgotten to turn off the TV.

4. Each of the cars in the street are new.

5. The President as well as his brother was a guest.

6. Neither of the computers are working.

7. Either wine is fine, thank you.

8. The pair of gloves isn't mine.

9. The Stars and Stripes fly over the court building.

10. Twelve miles is a long distance to run.