Author: Louise Raw
Posted: 17 Mar 2022
Estimated time to read: 3 mins
When it comes to looking for revision strategies for students, teachers have tried it all. Flashcards, multiple choice quizzes, mock examinations, songs and mindmaps (preferably not all at the same time!) have been used as ways to engage students with their learning.
But in the age where a tweet may be considered long-form content, and where information can seemingly only be absorbed through the power of a meme, what is truly the best way to make your classroom learning more engaging?
Quizzes, though in no way a new teaching fad, aren't going anywhere. Just think of the Instagram Reels and TikToks of young people playing 'This or That' style quizzes, guessing the correct image based on the bizarre 'Mandela effect' or finding out which Euphoria character they are. There is a compelling reason why quizzes are one of the beloved student engagement strategies of the classroom.
So let's take a deeper dive into why quizzes are one of the best revision strategies for students:
1. Our innate competitive nature
Quizzes as an assessment tool in the classroom may not sound that exciting, but they're actually one of the more fun student engagement strategies due to one element - competitiveness! By their very nature, quizzes are competitive, as we can quickly share results and compare how we size up with our peers.
But the real fun comes in team games where students can cheer on their peers and get that reinforcement that knowing the answer, really pays off. Why not try games like 'Hot Seat' in your next class to use your multiple choice quizzes that you've already prepared for homework?
2. Repetition to support memory
Many learners find repetition a useful way to solidify their learning. In fact, this method has been shown to strengthen neurological pathways in the brain. Each time the same content is learned, that pathway becomes stronger, and your students will have less trouble retrieving this information when it comes to exam time.
Having said that, reading lines over and over isn't exactly one of the most engaging revision activities. By flipping repetition on its head and practising key facts and theories as a multiple choice answer, you can provide the repetition they need along with a more active approach to learning.
3. Short-burst learning
We've already touched on the role of social media platforms, and how they have paved the way for ultra-short burst learning opportunities. They also pose another threat - that we have to compete with more than ever before to get students' attention.
Many students have stated they are suffering from digital fatigue and being time poor is the norm, so rather than introduce lengthy revision techniques on their devices, try revision strategies for students that actually the support the mantra, 'More home, less work'.
4. Diverse by nature
We know that learners have different needs and the beauty of quizzes as formative assessment is that you don't need to exclude any child from their preferred learning style. Whether you stick with pen and paper, read them out loud in class and take spoken answers, or use some of the engaging quiz platforms out there to help make visual quizzes, you can engage with more of your students.
Why not try out Neeto, for example, a free quiz builder where questions and multiple choice answers are created by teachers.
