Learning has to be learned! We learn all the time, throughout our lives. Sometimes learning happens by itself when it is about content that interests you. Other topics, however, are more difficult. Pupils and students in particular are faced with the challenge of learning what is on the agenda - this is not difficult with their favourite course, but even more so with other subjects. The right approach can help you to learn properly.

We are not talking about the classification according to learning types, which used to be popular to promote learning progress, but is no longer up-to-date. We are talking about strategies that help to learn learning. Learning strategies are methods that help to better process and consolidate knowledge. In our latest infographic, we have summarised which methods are available and how they can make the future learning outcome of students a complete success.

When looking at digital games in learning contexts, one quickly stumbles upon the term "serious games". This refers to games that not only serve as entertainment, but also have another, "serious" purpose - namely, that something is to be learned. Knowledge or skills are thus imparted through playful actions. They are suitable both live in the classroom and for the preparation and follow-up of learning units.

Active and explorative learning is used increasingly in schools, as it enhances motivation and the joy of learning. But not all teachers have recognised the potential of serious games and gamification. After all, the use of digital games or gamification elements in the classroom can certainly be seen as a learning booster.

To draw attention to the potential of gamification and serious games in the teaching context, we embarked on a search for a few facts. In our latest infographic, we have compiled survey results that show whether gamified learning is perceived as an effective method and how students in particular rate their learning success.

Games in the classroom? No longer a rarity! By this, of course, we do not mean that video games should be played in the classroom. We are talking about game elements that come from the field of video and computer games as well as from classic board and card games. This may sound bizarre at first, but it certainly has an added educational value.

Gamification elements create a learning environment in which students develop and gain positive learning experiences. This not only increases concentration in learning, but also motivation and joy. More and more teachers are therefore using game elements in their teaching.

We have taken an overview and summarised what these elements are and how they can be used appropriately.

We have summarised the most important information on the topic of gamification in the classroom in an infographic, which is also available for download free of charge.

What do logging into your terminal device, accessing your social media profile or creating an email address have in common? Right, the login process always requires a username and, more importantly, a password.

For pupils, this has long been part of normality as they grow up as Generation Z in the digital age. Social media such as Instagram, Facebook and others, as well as smartphones and tablets, are part of their everyday lives and are in constant use. But they are not always aware of the dangers that an insecure password can cause. Hackers often only need a few minutes to crack passwords and thus gain access to the personal data of young people.

In terms of data security, it is therefore important to pay attention to secure passwords. Therefore, we provide valuable tips on how young people in particular can be sensitised to the topic of passwords and what a strong password should look like.

On the way home, while waiting for friends or during the break: Many students automatically pull out their smartphones to pass the time. They often send WhatsApp messages, scroll through Instagram while lost in thought or watch TikTok videos. So instead of having to repeat lessons at home, why not use this waiting time to absorb information in a meaningful way?   

The solution: Small learning nuggets to repeat the essentials. What has already proven successful in many companies in the context of professional development, can also be used in the classroom. We have compiled the most important facts about learning nuggets.  

"The young people all know how to use the internet!" That's how many people think about Generation Z. Also known as digital natives, this generation grows up with the internet and is already confronted with the digital flow of information at an early age. Smartphone, tablet and computer are part of everyday life and lead quickly to WhatsApp, Instagram & Co. Mobile devices and the internet are also becoming increasingly relevant in digital or hybrid teaching. But does an active use of digital media and the internet also mean a versed usage? Because even if the younger generation don't know a world without new technologies, not all of them pay attention to a responsible use of them.

Pupils should therefore have various competences in order to be able to work confidently with digital media in class and to move safely on the web.

A survey on the use and handling of the internet showed the following:

12- to 19-year-olds:

• 89% use internet daily

 14-24 year olds: 

• 31% said their internet skills were very good
• 62% said that for them personally, infecting their computer or other devices with malware is one of the biggest risks of using the internet

The digital world presents opportunities and risks that students must learn to deal with responsibly. Teachers should therefore pay attention to teaching these skills in order to make online lessons as safe as possible.

We have summarised the most important competences that students should be aware of in an infographic, which you can also download for free at the very bottom.

The use of learning management systems (LMS) was pushed forward mainly because of the Corona Pandemic and since then many schools cannot imagine teaching without them.

A survey showed the frequency of the use of learning management systems in the classroom.

Evaluation before Corona

• 9.3% used in most lessons
• 29.9% used in some lessons
• 63.7% never used

Current evaluation:

• 38.9% used in most hours
• 19.1% used in some hours
• 42.7% never used

Learning platforms enable digital exchange between teachers and learners, promote self-directed learning by students and facilitate the provision of teaching materials. But not all LMSs are the same.

Learning platforms differ in terms of their complexity and functions. You should therefore consider in advance which criteria the learning platform in your school should fulfil and for which tasks it should be used.

We have summarised the most useful functions that every learning platform in a school should fulfil, in an infographic, which you can also download free of charge at the very bottom.

If you would like to know which of these functions the imc Learning Management System for schools fulfils, please contact us.

Virtual classrooms enable digital teaching and collaborative learning. Digital teaching is not only a great alternative to traditional teaching, it can also be used to complement face-to-face teaching.

But online learning is not the same as face-to-face teaching. One should know that

• the concentration span of children between 12 and 16 years of age decreases after about 30 minutes
• a lack of interaction and concentrated work on the screen leads to faster fatigue.

Virtual lessons, especially long lessons, are a real challenge for children. It is therefore important to make the lessons varied and engaging and to include short breaks.

We have summarised the five most important tips for successful digital teaching for you in an infographic, which you can also download free of charge at the very bottom.

The figures on smartphone use among German children speak for themselves, according to Statista.

• 7% of 6- to 7-year-olds own a smartphone
• Among 8- to 9-year-olds, the figure is already 27%
• In the group of the 10- to 11-year-old  it is already 54%
• The percentage of smartphone owners among 12- to 13-year-olds is 73%

The German Federal Statistical Office arrives at similar figures with regard to average Internet use: 94% of 10-15 year-olds are online every day.

17.03.2020

The web-based Go-Lab platform combines interactive online experiments with conventional classroom teaching. Go-Lab offers a comprehensive variety of tools for research-based lessons, supporting science teaching in particular.
Diana Dikke, Innovation Project Manager at imc AG was in charge of this project on behalf of imc, the leading full-service provider for digital learning. She has summed up the most important aspects of Go-Lab for us and explains which particular new feature is available free of charge immediately.