Tired of crickets in the class, unless it's about something that's not school related?

Let's take a look at how we can make them intentional participants in the class, not just the one who will provide the quickest or best answer.

The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates said, “I cannot teach anybody anything; I can only make them think.” Lecturing tells students what to think. Worksheets work them into a box. Have student uncover hidden perspectives and dissect arguments while building their own knowledge with a Socratic Seminar.

💻 Want to enhance it with tech?

Kialo enhances Socratic Seminars by aiding preparation, facilitating real-time collaboration, and enabling post-seminar reflection. It improves critical thinking, encourages clear communication, boosts participation through Anonymous Discussion & Tasks, and provides a safe environment for discussing diverse views. Kialo further supports critical thinking skill development through argumentation and inclusive features.

Make your classroom into a vocal show of knowledge with live polling! Ditch the awkward silences and unleash a wave of engagement as every student gets a vocal buzzer to share their thoughts. Watch as real-time results spark debates hotter than a game of trivia night, giving you, the teacher, instant superpowers to zap misconceptions and tailor your teaching on the fly.

💻 Want to enhance it with tech?

There are a ton of tools, both free and paid/premium, that can accomplish this.

Two of my favorites, you say?

Nearpod Poll activities allow teachers to ask multiple choice questions without a right answer to check for understanding, take a class vote, highlight student opinions, and more.

Want a quick check-in on your course? Schoology Polls in Course Updates let you get the whole class’s voice on something, even something as important as "Is a hot dog a sandwich?"

Backchannel discussions refer to a digital conversation that runs parallel to the main classroom activity or lecture. They typically use online platforms or apps that allow students to post comments, questions, or ideas in real-time while the primary lesson is ongoing, especially for those who might be hesitant to share.

💻 Want to enhance it with tech?

Let's make it 1, 2 ,3 for favorite tools.

One of my favorite tools period is the Nearpod Collaborate Board. It allows students to add text, image, video, voice, or video as a way to respond and for the teacher to moderate if they'd like to.

Schoology Discussions allow for threaded conversations for teachers and students to reply back to one another's posts, even limited viewing of the chat until they've put in a reply.

Bagel Institute is definitely geared towards folks who have a specific question, but don't want to ask it, even if it's in private.

Speaking and listening skills are important. Classroom culture is key.

Keep it simple at the start and welcome everyone.

Short articles keep things manageable, and the variety keeps it interesting. One day, it’s a weird new animal discovery; the next, it’s the great pineapple-on-pizza debate. (Spoiler: it absolutely belongs; I will squabble moderately about this) When students realize that reading and annotating can actually be fun, they’re way more likely to engage. Well, most of them—because let’s be honest, there’s always that one kid.

Try one to start off this week!

Google Arts & Culture’s Talking Tours lets students become virtual tour guides, turning historical landmarks, famous artworks, and cultural sites into interactive learning experiences.

With just a few clicks, students can create an AI-powered tour, adding their own narration and insights to bring a topic to life. Whether exploring ancient ruins, famous paintings, or even space, this tool encourages curiosity and critical thinking while making learning fun and interactive.

Perfect for social studies, ELA, or STEAM projects, Talking Tours can help students develop research skills, practice speaking, and connect with history and culture in a whole new way.

📢 Try it out!

Fibruary

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