Classroom Engagement Techniques

Atlassian has been fully distributed for almost five years. We don’t have all the answers, but we’ve learned a lot about how to keep teams thriving across time zones—and we’re applying those insights every day.  ➡️ Asynchronous work: Async tools are at the core of how we operate. Confluence is our virtual hub where we share stories, celebrate new hires, and collaborate effortlessly. We also use Loom to share videos and give feedback on our own time—avoiding those dreaded “this could have been an email” moments. In fact, we’ve saved nearly half a million meetings using Loom! ➡️ Designing workdays: We’ve learned to structure workdays for focus, collaboration, and meetings (only when absolutely necessary). Teams work across no more than two time zones, ensuring at least four hours of overlap to get things done together. ➡️ Intentional connection: Data shows that real connection happens when teams meet regularly—not sporadically in an office. We provide Intentional Togetherness Gatherings (ITGs), curated experiences, and focused in-person time to collaborate. ➡️ Adapting for different needs: It’s not one-size-fits-all. For example, new hires and grads often benefit from more frequent in-person meetups, so we make sure to offer opportunities for them to connect early on. https://lnkd.in/g2sSbe3v

Jigsaw Reading: A Powerful Collaborative Strategy for ESL Classrooms Looking for a student-centered strategy that boosts communication and comprehension in your ESL lessons? Try Jigsaw Reading—a cooperative learning technique where every student becomes both a learner and a teacher. What is Jigsaw Reading? Students are divided into groups and assigned different parts of a text. They first become "experts" in their assigned section, then return to their groups to teach what they've learned. This approach promotes active reading, listening, and speaking skills—all essential in language acquisition. How to Implement It: 1. Divide students into home groups (4–6 students). 2. Assign each member a unique section of the text. 3. Students join expert groups to study and discuss their section. 4. Return to home groups—each student teaches their part. 5. Wrap up with a class discussion, quiz, or reflection activity. -Why It Works for ESL Learners: Builds communication and collaboration Encourages peer teaching and accountability Supports reading fluency and comprehension Boosts learner confidence with manageable text chunks -Pro Tips for ESL Teachers: Scaffold with vocabulary lists and sentence starters Use visuals to aid understanding Monitor and guide group discussions Choose level-appropriate, culturally inclusive texts Integrate speaking or writing tasks as follow-up -Bonus Tip: You can extend this strategy into a project-based task—students create a summary poster, infographic, or even a mini-podcast to present their topic! Let your students lead the learning—because when learners teach, they remember more. #ESLTeaching #CollaborativeLearning #JigsawReading #ActiveLearning #ELT #ESLStrategies #TeacherTips #TESOL #TEFL #LanguageLearning #StudentCenteredLearning #EnglishTeaching #ReadingSkills

Thrilled to share a cool breakthrough I had today with AI in learning. It’s a method you can apply to any event you curate. ✨ I was running a full day workshop on innovation for the Entrepreneurs' Organization in Winnipeg (thanks Samantha Duha for hosting me!) and I wanted to give the participants some async “pre-work” to get their creative juices flowing BEFORE they arrived at the workshop. 🧠 As an entrepreneur and educator, I’m constantly exploring new methods to inspire and provoke thoughtful learning in my workshops. ✏️ So I ran an experiment and created an AI prompt that attendees could copy and paste in ChatGPT (or Claude, or Co-Pilot), which directed the AI chatbot to have a focused back-and-forth conversation with the participant about the workshop topic before they arrived. 💬 For any optional activity before a workshop, I’d normally expect only 20% of participants to follow through. 🤷🏻♂️ But 100% of the attendees did the optional homework! I was blown away by the engagement! I’ve never seen that before! 🤯 So going forward for all my workshops and important meetings, I will always assign async prework with an AI prompt to stimulate ideas. 💡 I want attendees to come engaged and excited to discuss solutions to a problem, and AI makes it so much easier! 🙌 Try it out and let me know what you experience! *** Here’s a VERY simplified version of the prompt: 🟢 Dear AI, please ask me these 3-5 questions about my knowledge of this workshop on topic ABC [insert topic]. Wait for my answer to each question, before going to the next one. 🔵 [Then you, the workshop curator, should create 3-5 important questions you want your attendees to consider, and insert them here, Q1… Q2…Q3…] 🟡 Based on my answers, please identify any assumptions I’m making, and offer suggestions for any alternative perspectives. Keep it simple.

Ever notice how some people stay mentally sharp, even as they age?   What these sharper individuals demonstrate is increased cognitive reserve.   Cognitive reserve refers to the brain's ability to improvise and find alternate ways of getting a task done. It is closely related to the resilience of the brain and pertains to its capacity to sustain damage (due to aging or other factors) without displaying evident functional impairments in cognitive functioning.   This mental resilience can make a world of difference as we age. But how can we actively build and maintain this cognitive reserve?   Contrary to popular belief, brain training games or so-called ‘cognitive training’ programs aren’t the solution   In 2008, Lumos Labs released their cognitive training program ‘Lumosity’ which they claimed could prevent brain aging and the onset of age-related dementia. One issue? They had no evidence to support their claims and were fined $2 million by the Federal Trade Commission for deceiving consumers. Not cool, Lumos!   Many have turned to brain training programs like Lumosity, hoping to preserve their cognitive abilities. However, research has shown that brain training games make you better on those specific games but they don’t help improve memory, attention, perception, or planning more generally.   So, what does work? Research suggests that a variety of engaging, everyday activities can help boost and maintain cognitive reserve. Here are some proven strategies:   👉 Lifelong Learning: Engage in educational activities, such as learning a language, taking up bridge or playing an instrument.   👉 Regular Exercise: Engage in physical activities like walking, gardening, yoga, or any other exercise to promote blood flow to the brain. 👉 Socialise: Engage in regular social activities to stimulate your mind and maintain emotional health.   👉 Motor Skills Development: Learn activities that require fine motor skills, such as painting, plumbing or sewing.   👉 Nutrition: Adopt a diet rich in fruits & vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats.   👉 Sleep Well: Ensure adequate and quality sleep, crucial for cognitive functions and memory consolidation.   Have you tried any of these activities to boost your cognitive reserve? What’s your favourite way to keep your brain active? 

⏰ The longer the learning program, the more intentional time you should dedicate to the EXIT. ✨Experiences invite you to cross a threshold of #transformation. ✨When designed well, a facilitated experience ensures you never leave in the same way / state as the way you arrived. 👉That’s why the EXIT stage of the #experiencedesign model is so important - it creates a moment for participants to reflect on the growth that has unfolded as well as prepare them for the next #experience that begins when they return (changed) to their everyday reality. 🤩 ⏳For a half day workshop, you might dedicate 30 minutes or an hour to the exit, however for a one week training you might dedicate the entire last day to it in the form of reflections, action plans, reintegration plans, meaningful connection activities, and celebration. Yesterday I shared some top tips to end your #learningexperience and here are some more examples from past programs I’m implemented: 🧩 Create a community puzzle with each piece representing a different learning takeaway (tip: Flying Tiger Copenhagen sells these great make your own puzzles!)Afterwards you can have participants take home their own puzzle piece or that of someone else’s at the end. 🎑Pick a visual card that represents how you feel about the training or what you’re taking away from the experience. Then share out loud in a circle why you picked that card. 🎓Certificate ceremony - whether it’s an official one or a certificate of authenticity pictured here, take time to celebrate and recognize participants for their contributions. Often I distribute certificates to participants making sure no one gets their own. Next everyone takes turns honoring the contributions the person on the certificate brought to the training without revealing who it is. The group guesses who the certificate belongs to until they guess correctly and participants grant one another their prized paper. ✍️ Wishful words - especially great for online, you can invite the group to write and draw a word that represents either: - what they wish for the group - what word describes their experience in the learning process - what they will take with them moving forward - or something else! Holding them all up to the camera creates a sense of unity and a sea of warm wishes and future steps. 🤔 Which one of these ideas might you use the next time you’re closing an event? Let me know in the comments below 👇 #ExperienceLearningwithRomy

AI can give you answers. But your friend explaining it over chai will help you remember. We’re all talking about ChatGPT replacing teachers. But the most powerful learning I’ve seen lately? Came from a student teaching his friends at 11 PM. No AI. No slides. No script. Just passion, real understanding, and a bit of humour. It was raw. It was engaging. And honestly? It worked better than most lectures I’ve attended. 🤖 ChatGPT can explain a concept. But it can’t laugh with you when you don’t get it. It can’t find your language to help you understand. It can’t stay back after class and say, “let’s go over it again.” That’s why I believe peer-led learning is the next quiet revolution in education. Here’s what happens when students teach each other: ✅ They simplify- because they have to understand first ✅ They build trust- learning feels less intimidating ✅ They remember- because teaching is the best form of learning AI is amazing. But community-based learning is timeless. 🗣 If we want education to evolve, it’s not just about tech. It’s about trust. It’s about students becoming leaders of learning. So tell me: What’s more powerful in your experience: a machine with perfect answers? Or a classmate who makes you feel like you can figure it out together? Let’s talk about it :) #peerlearning #educationinnovation #studentledlearning #futureofeducation #jaipurians #jaipur #pinkcity #drprabhatpankaj

Children are not blank slates. Not boxes to fill. Not machines to program. They are individuals with unique rhythms, curiosities, and ways of making sense of the world. So why, for so long, have we expected them to stay within the lines of black-box education? To memorise, conform, obey — instead of imagine, question, lead? Traditional education rewards quiet obedience over fearless curiosity. It teaches children how to comply, but not how to find their way. The result? Students who know how to perform, but not how to decide. Who wait to be told what to do, instead of trusting their own instincts. A shift is long overdue. And not just at the surface, but at the very core of how we approach learning. At Dreamtime Learning, we’re leading that shift by putting learner agency at the heart of everything. Because children don’t just deserve to be taught, they deserve to be trusted. Trusted to ask bold questions. To explore what moves them. To take ownership of their learning, and with it, their future. Here’s how that comes to life: Creative Thinking: When the pressure to conform dissolves, creativity takes root. Children at Dreamtime Learning are urged to express, imagine, and take intellectual risks, from a place of inner freedom. Guided Decision-Making: Teachers guide children in their choices, by partnering with them rather than dictating. Over time, these daily choices cultivate confidence in their own judgment and the ability to lead themselves with clarity and conviction. Projects that Encourage Initiative: Students take the lead on real-world projects. They set their own goals, solve problems, make mistakes, and iterate along the way. Initiative becomes second nature because it’s practised, not preached. This shift from passive to purposeful helps raise individuals who can navigate a world full of unknowns with courage, creativity, and conviction. Follow Lina Ashar for more reflections on building learner-led education for a world that needs independent, conscious thinkers. #LinaAshar #DreamtimeLearning #Projects #Students #Children #Education #School #Purpose #Creativity #Courage #Conviction

🔍 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐘𝐏 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐬 🌱 Creating a strong feedback culture in an IB PYP classroom is essential for student growth, reflection, and agency. Feedback should be constructive, continuous, and student-centered, allowing learners to take ownership of their progress. But how can we ensure that feedback is meaningful and engaging? Here are 𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 that can help foster an effective feedback culture in your classroom: ✨ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 "𝐅𝐢𝐱 𝐈𝐭" 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭 – Encourage students to maintain a list of areas they need to improve. This strategy promotes self-reflection and goal setting. ⭐ 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐡 – A simple yet powerful peer and self-assessment tool where students highlight two things they did well and one area for improvement. 💡 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐰 & 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 – Students and teachers use "Glow" (positive feedback) and "Grow" (constructive feedback) statements to guide reflection and progress. 🔄 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐥 – Students rotate in small groups, giving and receiving feedback on each other’s work, ensuring varied perspectives and deeper insights. 📝 𝐄𝐱𝐢𝐭 𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 – A quick and effective way to gauge student understanding at the end of a lesson. Students write reflections or questions on a sticky note before leaving. 🔍 𝐈 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐈 𝐖𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐈 𝐒𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 – A structured reflection framework that encourages students to observe, inquire, and provide constructive feedback. 📌 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐥 – A collaborative space where students leave anonymous or named feedback on their peers' work, promoting a supportive learning environment. 🚦 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – A self-assessment tool where students use red, yellow, and green indicators to express their level of understanding and confidence in a topic. 🤝 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫-𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 – One-on-one discussions between educators and students that allow for personalized feedback and targeted support. By incorporating these strategies, we empower students to develop their metacognitive skills, become reflective learners, and take ownership of their learning journey. 🌍✨ 📌 What feedback strategies do you use in your classroom? Share your thoughts in the comments! ⬇️ 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐀𝐩𝐩 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲:-. https://lnkd.in/gzX_x8Hj 𝐓𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐏𝐘𝐏 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭: https://lnkd.in/g2ijMEsW #inquiryClassroom #IBPYP #StudentAgency #FeedbackCulture #InquiryBasedLearning #IBEducation #Reflection #AssessmentForLearning #PeerFeedback #GrowthMindset

I get the feeling from talking to colleagues around the world that we have all but stopped using newspaper articles as a backdrop for classroom discussion in business education. The dusty old pages, however, can still serve a useful purpose in today's digital-dominated classroom. Especially to infuse a sense of historicity of business, and the ups and downs of products, customer segments, and markets. Here are some discussion techniques I have tried in the past by distributing copies of old newspaper articles, which generated great conversation among students. 1. Use a newspaper article from 10 years ago about a prominent competitor (Samsung) or product (iPad) in a recognisable industry (e.g. consumer electronics) and ask students to comment on (1) what went wrong or right in 10 years (2) why did the protagonist see things the way they did then and (3) how would you have seen things differently? 2. Use an article from 20 years ago that made bold predictions about companies (e.g. Fortune article in Feb 2005 on how big Apple could get) or industries (e.g. Fortune article in Sept 2004 about Tech’s future); discuss what the prediction was and how reality has proved it right or wrong. 3. Use an article chronicling industries that have disappeared (e.g. video rental retail) and discuss (1) who or what disrupted the industry (2) what the disrupted could have done differently to survive or evolve and (3) how might the current incumbent version of this industry yet become disrupted in the future. 4. Use an article detailing where companies have deliberately ended lines of business and discuss (1) the contextual compulsions and (2) the market leadership decision making required. 5. Use an article with examples of products that went through ups and downs in their life cycle (e.g. Microsoft Tablet) and discuss (1) what was the initial prediction based on (2) how did the prediction go wrong (3) how did the product survive the downturn (4) what enabled a subsequent uptick and (5) what was done this time around to make the uptick permanent? 

Engaging shy, introverted students online was tough. The switch to offline sessions was a game-changer! Session Synopsis ➡️Breaking the Ice: The Picture Card Activity sparked energy and conversation, breaking barriers instantly. ➡️The Power of Time: The "86,400 Seconds Activity" taught the value of time. ➡️The Stinky Fish Exercise revealed productivity blockers, leading to strategies for improvement. Key lessons: ▶️ Time is Allocation ▶️ Time is Energy ▶️ Time is Money The Urgent-Important Matrix helped students master task prioritization. 🌌 Mindset Shift: Mindset affirmations sparked "Aha!" moments, showing that time management is energy and mindset management. ➡️Energy Boost A super-energizing activity recharged students after lunch. ➡️ The Double Negative & Flip-Flop tool made grooming and etiquette engaging and fun. Reflect, Learn & Grow: The Start-Stop-Continue method revealed student growth in self-discipline, time management, and professionalism. Key Takeaways: ✅️Offline sessions boosted engagement and energy. ✅️Activities drove reflection, learning, and personal growth. ✳️Students gained tools for self-discipline and professionalism. This wasn’t just training — it was a transformational experience. Which activity would you try next? Share in the comments!