Guest Author: Holly Regan, Professional Development Specialist
Whenever instructors are given a new platform to use in the classroom, it can be quite overwhelming. Even with the best training and support, teachers sometimes find it daunting to try something other than their favorite teaching method and go-to instructional tools. And if you are a perfectionist like me, you want to be really good at something before you start using it in your classroom.
My general advice is keep it simple and start small. Think about it — we would tell our students the same thing if they were trying something new.
Where do you start?
I chose to begin the REACHUM journey with just one type of activity, mastering it before moving on to other ones. In my three-hour class, my first REACHUM activity was only 20 minutes long. Eventually, with more practice and familiarity, I became comfortable with the first feature and then started trying others.
With all the features REACHUM has to offer, how do you decide which one to try first? I decided the Multiple Choice game was an easy way to replicate something that I was already doing in my classroom – assessing students with questions in a multiple choice format. I soon found out that the beauty of the REACHUM games is that I can use them in face-to-face classes as well as after class and for self-study.
All the games provide two ways to view student answers. First, I can wait until the end of class, download the Report and assess each student’s answers to all questions as you would a paper-based assignment or test.
Real-Time Formative Assessments
What has become my personal preference is assessing student responses in real time as I proceed through each question. This is very easy to do. Click on the “three-person” icon in the top, left corner of the question slide. A screen pops up showing four important pieces of information:
- how many students are logged-in to your REACHUM class,
- how many students answered that particular question,
- how many students answered correctly
- how many students answered incorrectly.
This is an extremely useful feature for a couple of reasons, namely it helps me determine if all students have answered the question and are ready for the next question. I don’t have to ask the students or guess if they are finished. The information is right in front of me. Another reason this information is so useful is because it points out how many students answered incorrectly which tells me if I need to review or clarify the content before moving on to the next question.
Whether your first REACHUM activity involves a Leaderboard Game, a Discussion Tool, or a Media Upload, remember practice makes perfect and support is always available, either on the platform or by emailing support@REACHUM.com.
Enjoy!