Get Interactive: Practical Teaching with Technology Course

Editorial Take

The 'Get Interactive: Practical Teaching with Technology' course from the University of London, hosted on Coursera, is a concise, educator-focused program designed to bridge traditional teaching methods with modern digital tools. With remote and hybrid learning becoming standard, this course offers timely, practical strategies for instructors aiming to improve student engagement in online environments. It's especially valuable for teachers transitioning from in-person to digital classrooms, or those seeking to refine their use of technology in instruction.

Unlike technical-heavy courses in instructional design, this program prioritizes usability and accessibility, making it ideal for educators without a background in edtech. The course avoids overwhelming learners with complex software, instead focusing on foundational principles that can be applied across platforms. Its structure supports gradual skill-building, with each week targeting a key component of interactive learning: multimedia, collaboration, and feedback. This thoughtful progression ensures that participants develop both confidence and competence.

Standout Strengths

• Practical Application: Each module includes actionable tasks that allow educators to immediately apply what they learn to real-world teaching scenarios. This hands-on approach reinforces learning and builds confidence in using digital tools effectively in diverse classroom settings.
• Focus on Engagement: The course emphasizes student-centered design, helping instructors create content that actively involves learners. By integrating discussion prompts, collaborative projects, and interactive media, it fosters deeper learning and sustained attention in online environments.
• Accessible Design: Materials are presented in clear, jargon-free language with multimedia support, making the course approachable for educators at all tech skill levels. This lowers the barrier to entry for teachers who may feel intimidated by digital transformation in education.
• Global Relevance: The strategies taught are applicable across educational contexts, from K–12 to higher education and professional training. This universality enhances the course’s value for international learners and those working in varied institutional settings.
• Formative Feedback Emphasis: The course dedicates significant attention to timely, constructive feedback—often overlooked in online learning. Participants learn to use quizzes, peer reviews, and reflective prompts to guide student progress and improve learning outcomes.
• Community Building: Encourages the development of online learning communities through structured discussions and group work. This helps combat student isolation and promotes a sense of belonging, which is critical for retention in digital learning environments.

Honest Limitations

• Limited Technical Depth: While accessible, the course avoids in-depth exploration of specific platforms or advanced tools. Learners seeking technical mastery in LMS integration or coding for interactivity may find it too basic for their needs.
• Variable Peer Engagement: Discussion quality depends on cohort participation, which can be inconsistent in self-paced MOOCs. Some learners may miss out on meaningful interaction if forums lack active contributors.
• No Hands-On Tool Training: The course discusses tools conceptually but doesn’t include guided tutorials or software walkthroughs. Educators hoping for step-by-step guidance on using platforms like Padlet or Kahoot may need supplementary resources.
• Certificate Paywall: Full access to graded assignments and certification requires payment, which may deter budget-conscious learners. Free auditing allows content access but limits credentialing and feedback opportunities.

How to Get the Most Out of It

• Study cadence: Dedicate 3–4 hours per week to fully engage with materials and complete activities. Sticking to a consistent schedule ensures steady progress and better retention of teaching strategies and design principles.
• Parallel project: Apply each module’s concepts to a real or hypothetical course you teach. Creating mini-lessons or revising existing content reinforces learning and results in a practical portfolio of interactive materials.
• Note-taking: Keep a digital journal of ideas, tools, and reflections. This helps track your evolving teaching philosophy and serves as a reference when implementing strategies in your classroom.
• Community: Actively participate in discussion forums to exchange ideas and gain diverse perspectives. Engaging with peers can spark innovation and provide support during implementation challenges.
• Practice: Test out one new interactive technique per week, such as embedding a video quiz or launching a peer review activity. Small experiments reduce risk and build confidence over time.
• Consistency: Maintain a routine of reflection and iteration. Revisit your lesson designs regularly to refine interactivity based on student feedback and learning outcomes.

Supplementary Resources

• Book: "Teaching Online" by Susan Ko and Steve Rossen offers deeper insights into digital pedagogy and course design, complementing the practical focus of this course with theoretical grounding and case studies.
• Tool: Explore Edpuzzle or PlayPosit for creating interactive video lessons. These platforms allow you to embed questions and track engagement, directly applying the multimedia strategies taught in the course.
• Follow-up: Enroll in Coursera’s "Instructional Design” or "Learning Technologies” specializations to build on this foundation with more advanced, structured training in educational technology.
• Reference: The "Community of Inquiry" framework (coi.athabascau.ca) provides a research-based model for online learning that aligns with the course’s emphasis on presence, interaction, and feedback.

Common Pitfalls

• Pitfall: Overloading lessons with multimedia without pedagogical purpose can distract rather than enhance learning. Focus on relevance and alignment with learning objectives to maintain clarity and engagement.
• Pitfall: Assuming collaboration happens naturally online. Without clear instructions and facilitation, group work can falter. Design structured roles and timelines to ensure equitable participation and accountability.
• Pitfall: Delaying feedback until the end of a unit reduces its formative impact. Implement low-stakes, frequent check-ins to guide learning in real time and adjust instruction as needed.

Time & Money ROI

• Time: At four weeks with 3–4 hours per week, the time investment is manageable for working educators. The return comes in improved teaching efficiency and student engagement, making it a high-impact time commitment.
• Cost-to-value: While the certificate requires payment, auditing is free. For those seeking credentials, the cost is reasonable given the practical skills gained, especially compared to more expensive professional development programs.
• Certificate: The course certificate adds value to professional portfolios, particularly for educators pursuing roles in online education or instructional design. It signals commitment to modern teaching practices.
• Alternative: Free webinars and blogs exist, but few offer structured, guided learning with peer interaction. This course’s curated content and university backing justify its cost for serious practitioners.

Editorial Verdict

The 'Get Interactive: Practical Teaching with Technology' course successfully addresses a critical need in today’s educational landscape—how to make online learning engaging and effective. By focusing on multimedia, collaboration, and feedback, it equips educators with essential tools to transform passive content consumption into active learning experiences. The course’s strength lies in its simplicity and practicality, avoiding technical overload while delivering actionable strategies that can be implemented immediately. It’s particularly well-suited for teachers new to digital instruction or those seeking to refresh their methods with evidence-based approaches.

While not designed for advanced instructional designers or technologists, this course fills an important niche as an accessible entry point into educational technology. Its limitations—such as the lack of deep platform-specific training—are balanced by its clarity and focus on pedagogy over tools. For educators committed to improving student outcomes in online environments, this course offers a solid foundation and meaningful return on investment. We recommend it as a first step in digital teaching development, especially for those in K–12, higher education, or corporate training roles seeking to enhance interactivity and learner engagement.