Guideline, monitor, evaluate: reduce the risk of dispersion during the training period - methods, techniques and tools

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

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NARRATIVITY AND STORYTELLING �– A LESSON AS A STORY

• Engages emotions and attention �– students listen more attentively to a story than to plain facts
• Improves memory �– our brains remember information better when it’s presented in a narrative context
• Builds empathy and understanding – through characters and their dilemmas, �students learn to see from different perspectives
• Develops creativity and critical thinking – students analyze �motives, predict outcomes, and create alternative endings
• Creates a safe space for discussion �– stories can open the door to talking about difficult or sensitive topics

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HOW TO INTEGRATE STORYTELLING INTO LESSONS

Advantage: no technology required – only creativity and preparation

• Start the lesson with a story�– a short anecdote about a scientist, historical figure, �or literary character�
• Create a narrative context for tasks�– e.g., students act as detectives solving a mystery in a lab�
• Encourage students to tell their own stories�– retelling an event from another character’s point of view�
• Use multimedia�– sound, videos, etc can enhance the emotional �and sensory impact�
• End with a cliffhanger�– intrigue students with a question or unfinished storyline �to continue next time

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GAMIFICATION – TURNING LESSON INTO A GAME

• Adding elements of competition and rewards – challenges, points, levels, medals

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• Cutting lesson into few stages like in the game – a lesson turns into a mission with goals to achieve

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• Creating familiar environment – students are used to game rules, what increases their motivation

GAMIFICATION�

• Tools which you can use - these can be simple - boards, cards, game rules or digital like apps

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EXAMPLE: Hot potatoe game

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It can be used in class — students pass a ball to each other, and when the teacher says “stop,” the student answers a question or completes a task

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• Advantage: Gamification improves internal

motivation, cooperation and concentration

ACTIVE WORKING METHODS

• Group work and projects – students work together to solve problems or create something new
• Brainstorming sessions – generating ideas collectively to approach a topic creatively
• Role-play and simulations – acting out real-life situations to explore concepts deeply
• Debates and discussions – developing communication and critical thinking skills
• Storytelling and drama
• Learning stations or rotations – students move through activities �that target different skills
• Case studies – analyzing and discussing realistic scenarios
• Gamification
• Peer teaching – students explaining topics to one another �to reinforce understanding

BENEFITS OF ACTIVE WORKING METHODS

• Higher engagement and motivation
• Better long-term retention of knowledge
• Improved teamwork and communication skills
• Stronger problem-solving and creativity
• Encourages autonomy and responsibility for learning

SUPPORT WITH ICT* AND AI TOOLS

• Making interactive presentations and quizzes

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• Working in groups online / class chats

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•Using AI support in creating and organising lesson’s content

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•Adding digital whiteboards and simulations

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•Advantage: Every single student engaded and noted

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*ICT: Information and Communication Technology (computers, smartphones, video conferences, social media, ofice software)

STRATEGIES FOR MONITORING AND MAINTAINING ATTENTION

• Watching body language �– noticing signs of distraction or fatigue.�
• Asking quick check-in questions�– e.g. “What did we just learn?”

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• Using short formative assessments �– like polls, exit tickets, or mini quizzes.

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• Using eye contact�– a subtle way to reconnect with distracted students.

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• Walking around the classroom�– helps maintain focus and lets teachers gauge engagement.

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STRATEGIES FOR MONITORING AND MAINTAINING ATTENTION

• Frequent changes in activity �– short lesson segments, rotation of work forms.
• Real-time positive feedback �– motivating students to stay engaged.
• Clear lesson structure �– students know where the lesson is going �and what they are expected to achieve.
• Involving students in the process �– questions, reflections, micro-debates, voting, open questions.
• Using time limits �– short, focused tasks sustain energy better than long lectures.�
• Relating content to real life �– showing why the topic matters.

SUMMARY — KEY IDEAS

• Gadgets and educational materials are less important than well-planned student activities

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• Technologies can support the process, but they are not at the the first line

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• BEST SOLUTION: The student, not the teacher impaacts how the lesson looks!

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• Narrativity and gamification respond to the way today's students process information

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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

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