In today’s world, learning has become all tech- based and advanced. The tech- based learning has brought passive learning to an end. Keeping students engaged and focused has become a tough task and challenging.
Students need dynamic, interactive and fun based learning. Activities to engage students are required in order to keep them boosted. Such activities foster students to participate in different things and learn. This makes learning fun, learner- centric and excited.
Know about the importance of extracurricular activities in student development
Contents
What are activities to engage students?
Activities to engage students are activities that are designed to involve students for the learning process. When students are encouraged, learning is easy and enjoyable.
Through tasks, experiences and activities, students are encouraged to participate.
Activities to engage students are designed in the form of quizzes, games, movements, discussions, dances and songs. Educators and students both come out of their textbooks and learn through such activities.
Activities to engage students are well- planned and involve students across age groups. These activities can be incorporated in varied subjects to showcase different learning through a fun based process.
You can also refer to different fun activities at home which helps students to learn and interact.
Types of engagement activities for students
Activities to engage students are categorised in different forms in order of participation. These types of engagement activities for students are listed below.
1. Cognitive engagement activities
Cognitive engagement activities help students to think deeply, clearly and understand in order to solve complex problems or issues.
Examples – Brainteasers, puzzles, case study and critical thinking assessments.
2. Emotional engagement activities
Emotional engagement activities connect to students on an emotional level in order to make learning meaningful.
Examples – Reflecting activity, storytelling, roleplay and arts.
3. Social engagement activities
Social engagement activities promote interaction, collaboration and communication among students through different activities.
Go through different ways of how do children socialize with each other
Examples – Think- pair- share, group projects, team collaboration etc.
4. Physical engagement activities
Physical engagement activities involve movements which help students energise and focus on learning.
Examples – Freeze dance, drama, outdoor learning and physical movements.
Top 11 activities to engage students in interactive learning
Engaging activities for students boosts students in interactive engagement work or games. Here are top activities to engage students through activities in the classroom. This would help students to participate and learn.
These top activities to engage students are proven practical and effective.
1. Mystery box
Mystery box is a box with different types of things kept in it and they have to guess what’s in it. It encourages students to think critically, interact and collaborate to get clues about things inside it.
Playing methods
- There is a mystery box with items placed in it.
- Students have to shuffle and find out what’s inside it.
- Each student gets a chance to get clues about what’s inside the mystery box.
Implications
It helps in students’ engagement and learning in the classroom with interactive sessions.
2. Marshmallow tower
Marshmallow tower is an interactive play where students have used limited material and made a block tower. After making the tower, they have to place a marshmallow on the top of it.
Playing methods
- Divide students into small groups.
- Give timings and deadlines.
- Ask students to make a free- standing tower with materials provided.
Implications
It helps students in problem- solving, collaboration and teamwork. Refer to different problem-solving techniques which help students to solve their problems.
3. Art and craft
Arts and crafts are activities that involve drawing, painting, art making, decorating, cutting, colouring, etc. It develops fine- motor skills, interdisciplinary skills and patience.
Playing methods
- Educators can decide a fun learning activity in arts and crafts like, collage making, decoration or craft thing.
- Students can use their skills, interact and make creative things with decorations in it.
Implications
It fosters communication skills, interaction, cooperation, creativity and teamwork. With this, you can also explore creative art and craft ideas for kids
4. Movement- freeze game
Movement- freeze game also called freeze dance is especially designed for students. It is a fun based physical activity which keeps students fit mentally and physically, like a warm- up.
Playing methods
- Music starts and students have to do do warm- up until music is played.
- As soon as music stops, students have to stand in freezed state.
- Teachers will task them accordingly.
Implications
It boosts motivation, students engagement and supports classroom learning.
5. Quizzes
Quizzes is a game or play which is intellectual and quick, knowledge based and test involvement. It helps in students’ engagement and assessment skills test.
Playing methods
- Teachers or educators distribute bingo cards and call out their tasks.
- Students have to match their cards and answer according to teachers’ questions.
- Any questions from any of their subjects might be asked.
Implications
It engages students, helps in retention and is a self- assessment activity as well.
6. Group projects
Group projects are collaborative activities where students work together to finish their tasks and projects. It helps students to build empathy and boost communication skills. Here are different online group projects which would help students ace in such activities.
Playing methods
- Small groups or teams can be made.
- Each team can be tasked with different experiments, projects or presentations.
- They can be given a deadline to submit and then discuss it in class.
Implications
Students learn about new topics and participate in class with each other.
7. Word- play
Word- play activity involves usage of different words with fun and clever use to combine. It increases vocabulary and boosts participation with mind tests.
Playing methods
- Just like a bingo, students are given a word jumble form.
- They have to participate in a game and form words or send words with an assigned alphabet or sequence.
- It can be played on a group or individual basis as well.
Implications
It boosts word power and vocabulary of English subjects.
8. Brainstorming sessions
Brainstorming sessions are mind game intellectual activities where a topic is given and they have to generate ideas and opinions. It gives tests to students for checking their spontaneous ability to think critically.
Playing methods
- Students can be assigned topics in group or individual basis.
- They can be asked to speak up with on the spot discussions and arguments.
- They have to interact with each other and participate.
Implications
It helps them in increasing their interaction ability, critical thinking skills and discussions.
9. Songs
Songs are artistic compositions which are musical and have melody, flow and lyrics. Songs engage students with rhythm, repetitive movements and group participation.
Playing methods
- Educators know students’ shared interests.
- They play a melody or send lyrics to students.
- They have sung either individually or in groups.
- Students have to match tunings and melodies.
Implications
It reviews students as per activity assigned, collaboration and their creativity.
10. Dance
Dance is a physical activity which involves body movements, artistic expressions and flow. It promotes cognitive and social development, with creative movements and self- expression.
Playing methods
- Educators or students can guess different dance movements.
- Roll a dice and determine which dance movements students want to perform.
- They will start dancing according to their common interests.
Implications
It boosts students’ engagement, involvement and participation among each other.
11. Debates
Debates are group discussion speech activities where they have to speak for or against the given topic. It helps in handling arguments, communication, developing critical thinking skills and interaction among students.
Playing methods
- Two groups can be assigned with For or Against.
- Timer can be set for each participant in debate activity.
- Topics are spread for each group.
- Students have to share their options and participate in arguments and interact among these participants.
Implications
It helps in analysing issues, breaking complex problems, arguments and interactions.
Also read- communication activities for students
Key Takeaways
Activities to engage students involve students to think critically, develop collaboration and interaction processes. Through incorporation of such engagement activities, students can be involved in interactive activities.
Such activities not only foster students’ academic success, but also their skills for development. It creates a positive learning environment. Engagement activities make learning fun and playful while learning.
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