How Does Interactive Learning Boost Learning Outcomes?

Did you know that according to a survey conducted by academics at the Universities of Washington and Maine, it was found that students who were taught through lectures are 1.5 times more likely to fail in a class as compared to those who learn through interactive learning?

This shows the effectiveness of interactive learning compared to traditional methods. So, what is Interactive Learning? Interactive Learning is a pedagogical approach that incorporates active student engagement through the use of technology. It is a more learner-focused, exploratory and immersive method of learning. But the question is, does it work?

Well, there is much evidence in the academic world to prove that people retain information better when interacting with it. For example, Edgar Dale’s cone of experience indicates that people remember approximately 10% of what they hear, 20% of what they read, and 80% of what they see and do. In addition to engaging students, interactive learning also sharpens critical thinking skills, helping them explore any topic with creativity and reasoning and learning how to make decisions instead of just recapitulating memorised information. Also, interactive learning teaches students to collaborate and work successfully in groups, an essential life skill that prepares them for the real world. Another positive aspect of the interactive approach is that it incorporates personalisation in learning, allowing each student to learn and excel as per their dispositions and styles, which is the ultimate goal of education.

For most students, mobile phones and electronic devices are the centres of their universe. The competition for students’ deviating attention is steeper than ever. Snapchatting has replaced note passing, and push notifications distract from even the most exciting lessons. Therefore, embracing interactive learning methods to fully engage students in the classrooms and bring back their focus has become even more imperative, as has technology integration in the school.

We live in an age of digital evolution, and it makes sense that technology has become an active part of the education system. This change has made interactive learning possible and helped us bridge learning gaps faster. The importance of interactive learning goes well beyond that of a single aspect; there is much more to what it can offer, whether personalising learning concepts, learners’ motivation, inclusive learning environments, student collaboration or course corrections. It resuscitates the classroom for both students and teachers. Lectures are changed into discussions, and students and teachers become partners in the journey of acquiring knowledge. It is the way forward.

Schoolnet’s solutions, such as K-Yan and interactive multimedia and multisensory content, are built to foster a rich learning environment that encourages interactivity. We have over 10,000 units of multimedia lessons, animations and videos with assessments and worksheets mapped to the national school curriculum that addresses core concepts in various subjects. Further, we have created a wealth of simulated experiments called ‘Exploriments’ to encourage students to think beyond conventional methods and vicariously explore their fields of study.

Precisely how interactive learning will shape the future classrooms is still an ongoing discussion. But for now, we see that interactive learning strategies are replacing traditional learning methods to derive better learning outcomes from learners and bridge learning gaps faster. As technology evolves, these interactive learning methods will transform the learners’ future well beyond classrooms.?