Hey there, live session hosts! We all know how tough it is to keep everyone engaged during an online class on Zoom. It's like being in a room full of invisible people who might be distracted by everything around them. But here's the thing: the more we engage them, the more they participate, and the longer they'll remember what you're teaching. It's like magic! So, let's talk about how we can use StreamAlive's cool interaction features to make our online classes not just educational, but also super interactive and memorable.
Get Them on the Map with Magic Maps
Let’s kick things off with Magic Maps! You can start your session by asking everyone, 'Where in the world are you joining from today?' As they type their locations in the chat, StreamAlive will plot them on a real-time earth map. It's an awesome way to bring everyone 'together' even though they’re miles apart. Plus, it gives a great 'global class' feel to your online teaching. You could also spice things up by asking students to drop a pin on a dream destination they’d love to study in or a place they’ve visited that relates to the course material.
Hear Their Thoughts with Opinion Polls
Opinion Polls are amazing for getting honest feedback or simply gauging opinion diversity. Instead of presenting facts, ask learners what they think about a statement or theory. Perhaps during a literature session, you might ask, 'Which character resonates most with your experience?' or in a sociology class, 'What is one change you would introduce to improve society?' Their responses can guide your teaching focus or simply enrich the session with multiple perspectives.
Get Them Thinking with Power Polls
Power Polls can make serious topics approachable! For example, during a history class, ask which figure had the most impact on a particular event, or in a science class, which recent discovery fascinates them the most. You provide the options, and your students will eagerly wait to see where they stand against their peers' choices. Seeing the results live also sparks curiosity and further conversations. It’s an instant engagement booster.
Spin Up Some Fun with the Winner Wheel
Next up is the Winner Wheel, perfect for bringing those quieter folks into the conversation! You can set up the wheel to pick a winner from the most active commenters or maybe from those who answered a fun pop quiz question during the session. It’s a great way to encourage more active participation and add a hint of gamification to your lessons. You could use it to give away small prizes or just a shout-out to whoever wins. It's a fantastic way to keep the energy up and everyone paying attention.
Create Visual Magic with Wonder Words
Wonder Words can make abstract class concepts feel tangible and engaging. Ask your students, 'What's one word that describes today’s lesson?' or 'If you had to summarize the author’s style in one word, what would it be?' As words come in, they form a live word cloud that dynamically shifts and grows. It's a visually stimulating way to see what’s on everyone’s mind and reinforce key lesson themes. Plus, it's super fun and keeps everyone typing and watching the word cloud grow together.
Make Decisions Snappy with the Choice Circle
Power Polls can make serious topics approachable! For example, during a history class, ask which figure had the most impact on a particular event, or in a science class, which recent discovery fascinates them the most. You provide the options, and your students will eagerly wait to see where they stand against their peers' choices. Seeing the results live also sparks curiosity and further conversations. It’s an instant engagement booster.