Create Interactive Activities on CSUF Zoom in the era of remote learning, educators are continually looking for ways to create engaging and interactive online activities that can be done through video conferencing platforms like Zoom. California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) is one such institution that has embraced Zoom as an essential tool for remote learning. Zoom is an ideal platform for interactive activities, and this blog will provide a step-by-step guide on how to create interactive activities on CSUF Zoom.
Plan your interactive activity
The first step in creating an interactive activity on CSUF Zoom is to plan your activity. Consider the following questions as you plan:
- What is the learning objective of the activity?
- What type of activity will engage students?
- What materials or resources will you need for the activity?
- How long will the activity take?
Answering these questions will help you to create an interactive activity that is both engaging and effective for your students.
Choose a Zoom feature to support your activity
Zoom has several features that can be used to support interactive activities. Some of the features include breakout rooms, polls, chat, and screen sharing. Choose the feature that best supports your activity. For instance, if you want students to work in small groups, breakout rooms will be an ideal feature to use. On the other hand, if you want to get quick feedback from students, you can use polls.
Prepare your materials and instructions
After choosing the Zoom feature that supports your activity, you will need to prepare your materials and instructions. Make sure that you have all the necessary materials and resources ready for the activity. Prepare clear instructions that students can easily follow. If possible, create a visual guide or video tutorial that explains the activity and how to use the Zoom feature.
Set up the Zoom meeting
Once you have planned your activity, chosen the Zoom feature, and prepared your materials, it’s time to set up the Zoom meeting. Start by creating a new meeting in your CSUF Zoom account. You can either schedule the meeting or start an instant meeting.
If you are using breakout rooms, make sure that you have enabled the feature in your Zoom settings. To do this, go to the Zoom web portal, click on settings, and then click on the meeting tab. Scroll down to the breakout room option and click on the toggle button to enable it.
Start the activity
When it’s time to start the activity, share your screen with the students and walk them through the instructions. Make sure that students understand what they are supposed to do and how to use the Zoom feature. If you are using breakout rooms, assign students to their respective rooms and set a timer for the activity.
During the activity, monitor the student’s progress and offer help where necessary. You can also use the chat feature to communicate with the students.
Debrief and discuss the activity
After the activity, bring the students back to the main room and debrief on the activity. Ask students to share their experiences and what they learned from the activity. You can also use the chat feature to get feedback from the students.
Interactive activity ideas for CSUF Zoom Now that you know how to create interactive activities on CSUF Zoom let’s look at some activity ideas that you can use in your classes.
- Quiz game Create a quiz game using the polls feature on Zoom. Ask students a series of questions and have them respond to each question using the poll feature. After each question, share the correct answer and explain the concept behind it.
- Virtual scavenger hunt Create a virtual scavenger hunt that involves students finding items in their homes that relate to a specific topic. For instance, if you are teaching about plants, ask students to find a plant in their homes and share
