How are instructors using active learning studios?

Remote learning studios (small learning spaces designed for online courses) offer unique opportunities for engaging students. Here's how instructors are leveraging technology and innovative strategies to create dynamic and interactive online learning environments:

1. Interactive Displays: Interactive displays facilitate engagement by allowing instructors to interact with their content in engaging ways. When instructors can annotate their presentations and draw on a digital whiteboard, there's a sense of movement that encourages participation from remote students.

2. Collaboration Software: Collaboration software such as ThinkHub allows advanced presentation, collaboration, and whiteboarding abilities that transform traditional presentations into interactive learning experiences. Features like screen sharing, annotation tools, and real-time collaboration enhance engagement and facilitate active learning.

3. Video Conferencing Equipment: High-quality cameras, microphones, and speakers enable seamless virtual communication, connecting remote learners with instructors and classmates. ThinkHub integrates with preferred video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Teams, WebEx, or Barco weConnect, enhancing the remote education experience.

4. Student Monitors: Monitors that show remote students empower instructors to engage more effectively, encouraging greater student participation. Large displays positioned behind the camera allow the instructors to see student faces while teaching, enhancing the sense of connection.

5. Confidence Monitor: A dedicated monitor allows instructors to monitor their presentation and student engagement without turning away from the audience, ensuring smooth delivery of content.

6. Student-Centered Activities: Instructors can encourage student participation by designing activities that require critical thinking, such as group projects, problem-solving exercises, and debates. This list of exercises to promote active learning in the classroom can be applied to remote learning as well.

7. Experiential Learning: Studios provide a conducive environment for experiential learning activities, such as simulations, experiments, and hands-on projects.

8. Feedback and Reflection: Providing timely feedback on assignments and assessments, and encouraging students to reflect on their learning process can help increase participation and engagement in an active learning studio.