Interactive Learning Through Live Virtual Teaching: Measuring Student Success

Interactive learning benefits students of all ages and walks of life by allowing them to engage with the teacher and other learners during class hours. In times past, this type of learning could only take place in an in-person educational environment; however, thanks to modern technology, students can access interactive learning tools as part of a virtual educational environment. Such tools include:

• Interactive whiteboards
• Screen sharing capabilities
• Online discussion boards
• Chat rooms
• Pop quizzes to intersperse live stream classes
• Interactive games
• Breakout rooms for small group discussions and projects

Research shows that students who participate in interactive learning earn higher scores than students who listen to a lecturer who doesn't engage learners. However, it can be challenging for district administrators to know just how much students learn from interactive classrooms. Tests can be one measure of success, but they don't measure all angles of student comprehension and development, which is why many educators are looking outside traditional testing metrics to find other ways to gauge the results of active learning.

How to Ensure Live Virtual Teaching is Hitting the Mark

Attendance

No school has an attendance rate of 100%; in fact, the National Center for Education Statistics reports that the average attendance rate nationwide is 90%. Students get sick, need to travel or have health or family emergencies. However, your average attendance rate is an indicator of whether your live virtual teaching program is meeting your learners' needs. Students who are happy with the program, feel a sense of belonging, and are eager to see their progress will be more likely to show up to school than those who feel isolated, lack a sense of belonging, and can't understand the course materials.

If your attendance rate dipped significantly once you started a live virtual teaching program, it's time to find out why. Maybe the program lacks interactive tools or doesn't appeal to diverse learning styles. Perhaps your school needs a better internet connection to allow for ample student engagement with the virtual teacher. Alternatively, your virtual class lineup may not be meeting learner needs. Maybe a certain elective was popular with your students a couple of years ago but doesn't attract learners today. Assessing your virtual class lineup and adding or removing classes from the lineup can help you keep learner engagement high.

Ambiance

What is the ambiance or atmosphere in your school? Are learners happy to come to class? Do they enjoy talking with fellow learners during class and break times? Do they get along well with each other and seem satisfied with their academic progress? The overall "mood" in your school is an indicator of the success of your virtual program. It can also affect other metrics such as attendance rate and student engagement levels with interactive learning tools.

Student Engagement

Ask virtual teachers to provide periodic updates on student engagement and participation. Do students share information readily? Do they ask questions, respond to teacher questions, and comment on lessons when appropriate? Is there a high level of active participation? After all, creating an interactive learning environment is pointless if learners don't take advantage of that environment.

Graduation Rate

Multiple variables affect a school's graduation rate, including geographic location and ethnic background. Even so, it's worthwhile comparing your school's graduation rate from before you started a virtual program to the present.

One of the many benefits of virtual teaching is that it gives your students access to elective classes and CTE classes that you wouldn't have been able to offer without a virtual teaching model. Tailoring your class line-up to meet the needs of your high school classes should raise student engagement rates as learners are able to study subjects they want to learn.

Percentage of Graduates Prepared for Post-Graduation Success

Class discussions shouldn't just be about academic subjects. Ask your seniors if they feel they're prepared for life in the "real world". Do they know where they want to attend college or university? Have they applied and gained acceptance into the educational institution of their choice? Alternatively, do students who plan on obtaining vocational training have a plan for studying and completing their courses? Do some learners plan on getting a job after graduation and if so, have they found the job of their choice?

Interactive learning is meant to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, so look for evidence of these skills when talking to older students. If your learners have plans for their future, the motivation to reach their goals, and feel hopeful about their prospects, it's likely your methods are working well.

Facilitator Feedback

You should always have facilitators present during live stream classes in your classrooms. Facilitators can help learners who have IT problems and ensure learners don't get distracted or misbehave. Additionally, facilitators can offer valuable feedback that can help you nip problems while they're small and develop better interactive learning strategies. For instance, facilitators may notice that the microphone isn't working well, making it difficult for some learners to participate in class because they can't hear everything the teacher says. Alternatively, your facilitator may have input on seating arrangements and other practical matters that could be affecting student participation and engagement.

Academic Performance

Traditional testing methods, such as quizzes and exams, still play an important role in measuring student success. They're unambiguous methods for determining whether students understand and remember important academic concepts. They can also measure critical thinking skills, as students will need to not only demonstrate that they remember facts and figures but also show that they can use their knowledge to solve problems.

Students should be compared against their past performance, not national grade averages. Are your learners' scores remaining the same or improving? Are some learners falling behind while others are doing well? If so, try to identify the reasons why. Perhaps some students need an IEP. Maybe adding certain interactive learning tools can improve student engagement and comprehension across the board.

How to Improve Your Student's Success Rate

Measuring student success isn't a one-time task. You'll want to regularly assess your school to ensure your interactive learning system is providing learners with a top-tier education. It's also wise to periodically review the tools you use even if learners are doing well. As modern technology continually advances, new interactive learning platforms and tools may become available that will help your school create a vibrant, engaging learning environment.

Proximity Learning, unlike many virtual learning companies that started as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, has over fifteen years of experience providing public schools with access to certified, experienced teachers and interactive learning platforms. Our vast experience with providing virtual learning services ensures that your K-12 students receive a quality education when they work with our facilitators. Our class line-up includes core classes, summer classes, special education classes, tutoring, and elective courses. All classes are designed to be livestreamed into school classrooms and are offered on your school's bell schedule.

Additionally, we provide the flexibility you need to ensure students receive a quality education. We can add or drop classes from our line-up as needed, allow accommodations for learners who need them, and provide you with valuable feedback to help you gauge student performance and success. Contact us to learn more about our services or look into our onboarding process.

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