Classrooms today look vastly different from those where participation meant simply raising a hand or reciting an answer. Now, students collaborate, share ideas, and actively shape their learning experiences—when given the right support. However, not all students find it easy to speak up. For those who need encouragement, fostering engagement can be transformative.
Engaged students don’t just participate more—they thrive. Research shows that higher levels of engagement are closely linked to improved academic outcomes. This highlights the importance of creating environments where all students feel encouraged to participate. With the right technology, teachers can empower every student to express themselves and take charge of their learning journey.
In this blog, we’ll explore how tools like Vivi help educators create more inclusive and engaging classrooms, drawing on real-world examples that show the power of student voice.
Making student voices heard
Why does student voice matter? When students feel their voices are valued, they become more engaged, motivated, and take greater ownership of their learning. As Abby Pagryzinski, Training and Development Specialist at Carmel Clay Schools, shared in a webinar, “When things are student-centered, you can feel the buzz—everyone is engaged, everyone’s interacting.”
Classroom technology solutions like Vivi let educators create spaces that foster active engagement, helping students build confidence and take ownership of their learning by easily sharing their work, providing in-the-moment feedback to teachers, and collaborating with others. Next up, we’ll explore the specific ways technology like Vivi empowers student voices, making learning more inclusive and interactive.
Creating confident classrooms
By integrating tools like Vivi, educators can create inclusive spaces where all students feel encouraged to share their ideas. As Julie Patchen, Music Specialist at Elkhorn Public Schools, shared, “Students were so excited to share their screens and collaborate. Even the quieter students were eager to present from their seats.”
By giving students control over sharing their work, Vivi creates a more inclusive environment where students take ownership of their learning. Instead of the teacher always leading, students can step up to present and discuss their projects, boosting confidence and engagement.
Real-world uses of Vivi in the classroom
Here’s why and how educators can use Vivi to enhance learning and make classrooms more student-centered:
1. Reduce presentation anxiety: By allowing students to share their screens directly from their seats, rather than from the front of the classroom, Vivi reduces the anxiety that often accompanies public speaking. This lowers the stakes and encourages even the most hesitant students to engage. Pagryzinski says, “Students can present without needing to stand up in front of the class, which has made sharing much less stressful.” The most reluctant students can share their work from their desks for open discussion without presenting.
2. Empowering artistic expressions: For subjects like music, Vivi opens new possibilities. Patchen noted, “Vivi has allowed my students to compose music collaboratively. This level of engagement and creativity was not possible before.” Students can showcase their compositions, get feedback from peers, and even rearrange musical elements collaboratively turning the classroom into a creative space.
3. Gathering instant feedback: Teachers can use Vivi’s built-in polls feature to quickly gauge students’ wellbeing and understanding. Pagryzinski highlighted how helpful this can be: “The ability to get quick student feedback has been a game-changer, enabling teachers to pivot their instruction based on real-time data.” This flexibility ensures that lessons are always aligned with students’ needs.
4. Empowering student expression: Vivi’s whiteboard feature lets students share their work directly from their devices, encouraging collaboration and real-time discussion. As Megan Oliva, a 2nd-grade teacher at St. Austin Catholic School, noted, “They love sharing their work and showing classmates how they got to an answer. They ask me to use Vivi every day—it’s easy for both me and my students.” With Vivi for Teachers, educators can easily access tools like this to create engaging, collaborative lessons that empower students to take an active role in their learning.
Using tools like these, educators can create more interactive, inclusive, and student-driven classrooms, ensuring every student’s voice is heard and valued.
Student engagement strategies: Best practices
Integrating technology like Vivi can transform classrooms when done thoughtfully:
- Start small: Introduce one or two features, like wireless screen mirroring or polling, and expand gradually as teachers gain confidence.
- Leverage peer training: Encourage experienced educators to share tips and successes with colleagues.
- Promote creativity: Explore unique uses for Vivi, like the composing music example, and share successful strategies across classrooms.
These simple steps help schools create inclusive, student-centered learning environments.
Empowering student voices with Vivi
Empowering student voices is a powerful step toward building more engaging and inclusive classrooms. Vivi makes it easier for students to share, collaborate, and take ownership of their learning. By starting small and encouraging peer-led training, schools can seamlessly integrate technology to boost engagement and creativity.
Want to see how educators are using Vivi to transform their classrooms? Check out our Teacher Tips for practical examples and strategies that are sure to inspire you.
