Interactive teaching to improve learning?

Interactive teaching methods in classrooms could be a technique that an increasing number of schools begin to use. This is because new research published in the journal Science has shown the approach can significantly improve attendance and bolster student engagement.

The study, led by Louis Deslauriers - a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the University of British Columbia's Carl Wieman Science Initiative - found that interactive teaching methods was able to boost learning in a large physics class.

Investigators discovered that pupils included in an interactive session were nearly twice as engaged as those who took part in traditional lessons, while attendance at the interactive classes increased by 20 per cent.

Mr Wieman said: "There is overwhelming evidence how much teaching pedagogy based on cognitive psychology and education research can improve science education."

Dr Kairen Cullen, Chartered Psychologist, said: "Practitioner psychologists in schools observe on a daily basis the beneficial effects of interactive learning for students' motivation, engagement and achievement."

"Broad areas of psychological theory such as Social Learning Theory, Vygotsky's, Bruner's and Chomsky's Cognitive theories and Humanistic theory all contribute to our understanding and application of interactive learning."

"However, it is important to emphasise the need for adult guidance, clear ground rules and positive adult role models in ensuring interactive learning works for everyone."

A recent survey carried out by the Communication Trust and National Literacy Trust found that boys between the ages of eight and 16 tend to be more confident than their female counterparts in social situations, such as a classroom.