The use of interactive technologies in education
Interactive technology implies the use of digital technologies in terms of teaching and educating on the
whole. It gives a great opportunity to teach and learn more effectively, since it has all the necessary
things in one piece to provide materials for learning. For example, a blackboard, which can easily be
turned into an interactive one, that is more than one person can use it online, or else at school and
other educational facilities.
An interactive technology is something that teachers implement at schools and other educational
facilities to make teaching process easy and effective. But to ensure this process, one uses an interactive
tool to help implement this technology. Let us say, a big touch-sensitive screen. Take as an example a
personal computer. Its system unit, monitor, keyboard and mouse could be described as an interactive
tool, but the operating system that you install in it you can see as an interactive technology.
Interactive technologies are implemented almost everywhere, ranging from schools to universities. But
not in all classes. In my experience, I have been taught how to use this or that technology in order to get
knowledge on some particular sphere of education. However, it all came down to one thing, that is we
had nothing to do there. Nothing to work on, no tasks included, just the usual textbooks we used to
highlight words in, interactively, so to say. I had mixed feelings about it so I can’t really say if I liked it.
As for my own experience, I use social networks as the basis for interactive learning. Social networks
provide many things that one could use to improvise interactive classes. For example, take Telegram,
one of the most popular social networks in Russia. I, as well as other 30 teammates, conduct online
classes in this very social network. The team has a supergroup which is primarily focused on discussing
topics and holding classes. Then there is 3 channels where members can subscribe to and access
materials for learning English. The point is, that with the use of these channels and supergroup the team
managed to devise interactive online classes to help people from all over the world learn English.
How are the classes made interactive? Well, every class has its own aim to improve a certain language
skill: Writing, Speaking, Reading, and Listening. So, the materials for the classes are made respectively. A
teacher can take up any sort of activity during the class: quizzes, videogames, crosswords, puzzles, you
name it. They can go hand in hand or there could only one certain activity for one hour class.
How do people join these activities? It’s easy, they merely should have updated version of Telegram and
be present at the start of the class. Everyone can join the class and check their results after they are
through with it.
As for the skills like creativity or critical thinking. There are in fact exercises or games to help students
enhance these skills. For example, a student can play a game called “SceneIt!” where he should think of
absurd or not, scenarios for certain cases. For critical thinking, he can try himself in an exercise, where
he has to read a statement and try to determine whether it sounds like a fact or an opinion. This can be
completed alone or with a study partner.
Talking about the drawbacks, it’s the overusing that badly affects the student’s progress. It’s a universal
fact that overusing anything digital can develop fatigue and insomnia, and those are the most important
components when it comes to studying and learning something new. In our case, one-hour class simply
won’t cause any harm, as long as he doesn’t go on using the digital device afterwards.
What problems do teachers (lecturers) or yourself face when imlement interactive technologies into the
educational process?
Are there any problems that we faced during these lessons? Sure, there is, and there always will be.
Using digital devices implies that you use something technical, and that means you are sure to face
technical problems.
Where is the use of interactive technologies more appropriate: at university or at school? Why?
If we think for one second over the possibility to try to implement this technology in a class at school or
university, this might be a good start for both of these facilities. The only problem that might stand is
the finance.