People in their mid-twenties and above have likely experienced the classic school scenario: getting scolded or even getting a whack on the hand for forgetting the answer to a teacher’s question.
Some of us have even had the pleasure of standing outside the classroom with our arms raised as if we were champions holding up an invisible trophy. But let’s be clear—this isn’t the kind of interactive learning anyone’s advocating for today!
No, when we talk about interactive learning, we’re not talking about interactions that result in sore hands or bruised egos. Instead, we’re diving into a world where learning is a two-way street, where students actively participate and engage with the material, rather than just sitting in rows, trying to avoid the teacher’s gaze.
Interactive learning is all about getting students involved, whether it’s through discussions, group activities, or digital tools that require them to explore and interact with the content. It’s a shift from the old, passive way of learning where the teacher did all the talking, and the students did all the listening (or pretending to). Now, it’s about making learning an experience that’s as engaging as it is educational.
Learning back then was about listening, memorising, and hoping you’d remember enough to pass the next test. Classrooms were one-way streets where knowledge flowed from the teacher to the students, with interaction often limited to a raised hand to answer a question—if you were brave enough.
Back in the mid-20th century, when computers first started appearing in educational spaces, interactivity was limited to basic text-based inputs and outputs. Even those simple exchanges were revolutionary at the time, marking the beginning of a shift from passive to active learning.
Interactive learning has come a long way since its early days, interactive learning means students are more than just passive recipients of information. They’re participants, actively engaging with content through various tools and methods that encourage exploration and critical thinking. From enhanced lectures that incorporate real-time polling and feedback, to flipped classrooms that have students preparing before class so they can dive into deeper discussions during, interactive learning is reshaping the way education happens.
Students today are growing up in a digital age, where information is at their fingertips and attention spans, shorter. The need for interactive learning is more critical now because it addresses these modern challenges head-on.
According to a study by the National Training Laboratories, students retain about 75% of what they learn through practice, compared to just 5% through lecture-based learning.
Collaboration, critical thinking, and adaptability are all nurtured in an interactive environment, preparing students to thrive in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
Pedagogical science has long advocated for teaching methods that align with how students naturally learn best.
Traditional lectures often fail to consider the diversity of learning styles among students—some are visual learners, others are kinesthetic, and many need a mix of approaches to truly grasp a concept. Interactive learning meets these needs by offering a variety of ways to engage with content.
‘Cognitive Load’ theory, a key concept in pedagogy, suggests that students can only process a limited amount of information at once.
Interactive learning helps manage cognitive load by breaking down information into manageable chunks and allowing students to apply what they’ve learned immediately.
This hands-on approach is not just about making learning fun; it’s about making it more effective.
Vygotsky’s theory of ‘Social Constructivism’ highlights the critical role of social interaction in learning. This approach, which centers on group activities and peer collaboration, perfectly embodies the theory. Building an environment where students actively engage with one another, they gain diverse perspectives and deepen their understanding, making interactive learning an effective extension of Vygotsky’s ideas.
Interactive learning isn’t just a theoretical concept—it has real, tangible benefits that have been observed in classrooms around the world. For instance, Finland, which consistently ranks at the top of global education rankings, has embraced interactive learning as a cornerstone of its educational approach. Finnish classrooms are known for their focus on student-centered learning, where teachers act more as facilitators than lecturers. This approach has been linked to higher student satisfaction, better academic performance, and a more profound understanding of the material.
Closer to home, schools in India that have adopted interactive learning techniques are seeing impressive results. For example, a study conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) found that students in classrooms that used interactive learning tools like smartboards and educational apps scored on average 20% higher in assessments compared to those in traditional classrooms. These findings highlight how interactive learning is not just a trend but a proven method for improving educational outcomes.
In our next article in the series, we’ll explore how interactive learning transforms different disciplines—whether it’s math, science, or even the arts—and see how it makes education more engaging and impactful.
To be continued.