interactive games for class presentations

11 Interactive Presentation Games to Win Easy Engagement in 2024

Lawrence Haywood • 20 August, 2024 • 12 min read

So, how to make a presentation engaging? Audience attention is a slippery snake. It's difficult to grasp and even less easy to hold, yet you need it for a successful presentation.

No Death by PowerPoint, no to drawing monologues; it's time to bring out the interactive presentation games !

Bonus : Free slideshow game templates to use. Scroll down for more👇

These 11 games below are perfect for an interactive presentation . They'll score you mega-plus points with colleagues, students, or wherever else you need a kick of super-engaging interactivity... Hope you find these interactive presentation ideas below helpful!

Table of Contents

• #1: Live Quiz

#2: What Would You Do?

#3: key number, #4: guess the order, #5: 2 truths, 1 lie, #6: 4 corners, #7: obscure word cloud, #8: heart, gun, bomb.

• #9: Match Up

#10: Spin the Wheel

#11: q&a balloons, interactive powerpoint presentation games - yes or no, frequently asked questions.

Host Interactive Presentation Games for Free!

Add interactive elements that make the crowd go wild . Make your whole event memorable for any audience, anywhere, with AhaSlides.

More Interactive Presentation Tips with AhaSlides

• The Complete Guide to Make a Presentation Interactive
• Interactive Presentation Techniques

Start in seconds.

Get free templates for your next interactive presentation. Sign up for free and take what you want from the template library!

#1: Live Quiz Competition

Is there any event that hasn't been immediately improved with some trivia?

A live quiz is an evergreen, ever-engaging way to consolidate your presentation's info and check the understanding of it all amongst your audience. Expect big laughs as your audience competes fiercely over who was listening to your presentation the most complex.

Here's how to play:

• Set up your questions on AhaSlides - the free AI quizzing software .
• Present your quiz to your players, who join by typing your unique code into their phones.
• Take your players through each question, and they race to get the correct answer the fastest.
• Check the final leaderboard to reveal the winner!

Learn how to set up your presentation quiz for free in just a few minutes! 👇

Put your audience in your shoes. Give them a scenario related to your presentation and see how they would deal with it.

Let's say you're a teacher giving a presentation on dinosaurs. After presenting your info, you would ask something like...

A stegosaurus is chasing you, ready to snap you up for dinner. How do you escape?

After each person submits their answer, you can take a vote to see which is the crowd's favourite response to the scenario.

This is one of the best presentation games for students as it gets young minds whirring creatively. But it also works great in a work setting and can have a similar freeing effect, which is especially significant as a large group icebreaker .

• Create a brainstorming slide and write your scenario at the top.
• Participants join your presentation on their phones and type their responses to your scenario.
• Afterwards, each participant votes for their favourite (or top 3 favourites) answers.
• The participant with the most votes is revealed as the winner!

No matter the topic of your presentation, there's sure to be a lot of numbers and figures flying around.

As an audience member, keeping track of them isn't always easy, but one of the interactive presentation games that makes it easier is Key Number .

Here, you offer a simple prompt of a number, and the audience responds with what they think it refers to. For example, if you write ' $25' , your audience might respond with 'our cost per acquisition' , 'our daily budget for TikTok advertising' or 'the amount John spends on jelly tots every day' .

• Create a few multiple-choice slides (or open-ended slides to make it more complicated).
• Write your key number at the top of each slide.
• Write the answer options.
• Participants join your presentation on their phones.
• Participants select the answer they think the critical number relates to (or type in their answer if open-ended).

If keeping track of numbers and figures is challenging, it can be even tougher to follow entire processes or workflows explained in a presentation.

To cement this information in your audience's mind, Guess the Order is a fantastic minigame for presentations.

You write the steps of a process, jumble them up, and then see who can put them in the right order the fastest.

• Create a 'Correct Order' slide and write your statements.
• Statements are automatically jumbled up.
• Players join your presentation on their phones.
• Players race to put the statements in the correct order.

You might have heard of this one as a great icebreaker, but it's also one of the top presentation games for checking who's paying attention.

And it's pretty simple to do. Just think of two statements using the information in your presentation, and make another one up. Players have to guess which is the one you've made up.

This one is a great re-capping game and works for students and colleagues.

• Create a list of 2 truths and one lie covering different topics in your presentation.
• Read out two truths and one lie and get participants to guess the lie.
• Participants vote for the lie either by hand or through a multiple-choice slide in your presentation.

The best presentations are ones that spark a bit of creative thinking and discussion. There's no better presentation game for evoking this than 4 Corners.

The concept is simple. Present a statement based on something from your presentation that's open to different points of view. Depending on each player's opinion, they move to a corner of the room labelled 'strongly agree', 'agree', 'disagree' or 'strongly disagree' .

Maybe something like this:

An individual is shaped more by nature than nurture.

Once everyone is in their corner, you could have a structured debate between the four sides to bring different opinions to the table.

• Set up the 'strongly agree', 'agree', 'disagree' and 'strongly disagree' corners of your room (if running a virtual presentation, then a simple show of hands could work).
• Write some statements which are open to different opinions.
• Read out the statement.
• Each player stands in the right corner of the room, depending on their view.
• Discuss the four different viewpoints.

word cloud are always a beautiful addition to any interactive presentation. If you want our advice, include them whenever you can - presentation games or not.

If you do plan to use one for a game in your presentation, a great one to try is Obscure Word Cloud .

It works on the same concept as the popular UK game show Pointless . Your players are given a statement and have to name the most obscure answer they can. The least-mentioned correct answer is the winner!

Take this example statement:

Name one of our top 10 countries for customer satisfaction.

The most popular answers may be India, USA and Brazil , but the points go to the least mentioned correct country.

• Create a word cloud slide with your statement at the top.
• Players submit the most obscure answer they can think of.
• The most obscure one appears most diminutive on the board. Whoever submitted that answer is the winner!

Word Clouds for Every Presentation

Get these word cloud templates when you sign up for free with AhaSlides!

For Ice Breaking

For Testing

This one's a great game to use in the classroom, but if you're not looking for students' games for presentation, it also works wonders in a casual work setting.

Heart, Gun, Bomb is a game in which teams take turns to answer questions presented in a grid. If they get an answer right, they either get a heart, a gun or a bomb...

• A ❤️ grants the team an extra life.
• A 🔫 takes away one life from any other team.
• A 💣 takes away one heart from the team who got it.

All teams start with five hearts. The team with the most hearts at the end, or the only surviving team, is the winner!

• Before starting, create a grid table for yourself with either a heart, gun or bomb occupying each grid (on a 5x5 grid, this should be 12 hearts, nine guns and four bombs).
• Present another grid table to your players (5x5 for two teams, 6x6 for three groups, etc.)
• Write a figure stat (like 25%) from your presentation into each grid.
• Split players into the desired number of teams.
• Team 1 chooses a grid and says the meaning behind the number ( for example, the number of customers last quarter ).
• If they're wrong, they lose a heart. If they're right, they get either a seat, gun or bomb, depending on what the grid corresponds to on your grid table.
• Repeat this with all the teams until there's a winner!

👉 Get more interactive presentation ideas from AhaSlides.

#9: Match Up - Interactive Presentation Games

Here's another quiz-type question that can be a great addition to your roster of interactive activities for presentations.

It involves a set of prompt statements and a set of answers. Each group is jumbled; the players must match the information with the correct answer as quickly as possible.

Again, this one works well when the answers are numbers and figures.

• Create a 'Match Pairs' question.
• Fill out the set of prompts and answers, which will automatically shuffle.
• Players match each prompt with its answer as fast as possible to score the most points.

If there's a more versatile presentation game tool than the humble spinner wheel , we aren't aware of it.

Adding the random factor of a spinner wheel might be just what you need to keep engagement in your presentation high. There are presentation games you can use with this, including...

• Choosing a random participant to answer a question.
• Choose a bonus prize after getting the correct answer.
• Choosing the next person to ask a Q&A question or give a presentation.
• Create a spinner wheel slide and write the title at the top.
• Write the entries for the spinner wheel.
• Spin the wheel and see where it lands!

Tip 💡 You can choose the AhaSlides spinner wheel to use your participants' names, so you don't have to fill in the entries manually! Learn more interactive presentation techniques with AhaSlides.

This one's a great way to turn a regular end-of-presentation feature into a fun, engaging game.

It's got all the hallmarks of a standard Q&A, but this time, all the questions are written on balloons.

It's a super simple one to set up and play, but you'll see how motivated participants are to ask questions when it involves balloons!

• Hand out a deflated balloon and a Sharpie to each participant.
• Each participant blows up the balloon and writes their question on it.
• Each participant bats their balloon to where the speaker is standing.
• The speaker answers the question and then pops or throws away the balloon.

🎉 Tips: Try the bes Q&A apps to engage with your audience

So, how do you feel about AhaSlides's interactive ideas for presentations? Being by far the most popular presentation tool on the planet, you may want to know if there are any presentation games to play on PowerPoint.

Unfortunately, the answer is no. PowerPoint takes presentations incredibly seriously and doesn't have a lot of time for interactivity or fun of any kind.

But there's good news...

It is possible to directly embed presentation games into PowerPoint presentations with free help from AhaSlides.

You can import your PowerPoint presentation to AhaSlides with the click of a button and vice versa , then place interactive presentation games like the ones above directly between your presentation slides.

💡 PowerPoint presentation games in less than 5 minutes ? Check the video below or our quick tutorial here to find out how!

What are the benefits of playing interactive presentation games?

⁤Interactive presentation games boost engagement, participation and knowledge retention. ⁤⁤They turn passive listeners into active learners by incorporating elements like live polls , idea board , quizzes, word clouds and Q&A .

How do you make a presentation interactive with games?

- Match your content: The game should reinforce the topics being covered, not just be random entertainment. - Audience considerations: Age, group size, and knowledge level will inform game complexity. - Tech tools & time: Consider tools like AhaSlides, Mentimeter Alternatives , Kahoot , etc., or design simple no-tech games based on the time you have. - Utilise appropriate questions, including icebreaker games questions or general knowledge quiz questions .

How can I make my presentation more engaging?

Making presentations more engaging can be a challenge, but there are several techniques you can use to make your presentation more interesting and memorable, including (1) starting with a strong opening (2) using lots of visual ads and (3) telling an attractive story. Also, remember to keep it short and sweet, and of course, practice a lot!

Lawrence Haywood

Former ESL teacher and quiz master converted to the wild slide. Now a content creator, traveller, musician and big time slider preaching the good word of interactivity.

Tips to Engage with Polls & Trivia

More from AhaSlides

• Shop Now: Amazon Labor Day Tech Sale
• Get These 12 Student Discounts!

10 Free PowerPoint Game Templates

Customizable slideshows for Jeopardy, Deal or No Deal, and other games

• Emporia State University

• Southern New Hampshire University

PowerPoint templates are a great way to introduce a new unit or review for a test with your students. It's a break from the regular routine, and students love the teamwork and competitiveness.

I've also used these templates with friends. I can replace the questions and answers with fun topics we're all familiar with and then play in person or online over a video call.

There are lots of websites with free PowerPoint templates that work with Microsoft's software and free presentation programs .

Jeopardy PowerPoint Templates

Most of the hard work is done for you.

Sleek graphics.

Some come with familiar sound effects and theme song.

Some are in the HTML format only.

A few require your email address.

One of the most popular types of PowerPoint games to use in the classroom is Jeopardy. It's a great game to use to review for a test or to introduce new material to students. They can be played as a class, teams, or individually on computers.

Family Feud PowerPoint Templates

Can encourage and be used with teams of students.

Great graphics resembling the TV gameshow.

Realistic sound effects from the gameshow.

Some are limited to a few slides.

Some require quite a bit of customizing.

Not much non-English support.

Some don't come in the popular PPTX format.

Another free game that's popular with teachers and students is Family Feud. These are played just like traditional Family Feud, and kids of all ages really get into the game. 

Wheel of Fortune From Games by Tim

Comes with great instructions for setup.

Realistic looking graphics.

Website has handy instructional video for help.

Cool animation.

Setup is pretty involved.

Doesn't automatically figure dollar amounts.

Can load only 12 puzzles.

Spin the wheel, use your own puzzles, and track scores with this Wheel of Fortune PowerPoint template that really reminds me of the actual game. It comes in the PPTM format .

Only Connect From Fisher Huntz

Includes sounds.

Multiple templates with questions and answers.

Includes a blank template.

Provides directions for playing and editing the template.

Doesn't include the game's Connecting Wall.

More free PowerPoint templates are available here that are modeled after the game Only Connect. One template is basically blank, so you can fill it out with whatever you want. Each of the others have 20 prefilled questions and answers that are ready to go for any teacher looking to entertain their kids with math or science related questions.

Deal or No Deal From Mining Quiz

Included a game rules slide for players.

Has a small help page to assist in setup.

Easy to edit template.

Graphics are a bit simple.

Single sound effect isn't clear.

This Deal or No Deal PPTX template is easy to manipulate and has sounds for each time you choose a briefcase.

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Verbs

Comes with 12 pre-made questions.

Graphics and text are easy to read.

Added sound effects to enhance gameplay.

Will need to change the money values for other countries.

The lifelines are not clickable and only advance the slide.

Doesn't accurately keep track of winnings.

This Who Wants to Be a Millionaire template has questions already filled out for you about simple verbs. There are 12 questions in total, and I like that it has sounds and animated graphics for realism.

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Templates From Sctriton Science

Website provides optional sound effects.

Provides enough blank question templates to play a full game.

Sound effects add some excitement.

The lifeline links reveal all answers.

Sound snips aren't very high quality.

This is yet another template for playing Who Wants to Be a Millionaire in PowerPoint. It has 15 questions, all blank and ready for you to fill out with your own information.

Cash Cab From Sctriton Science

Provides enough slides to play an entire game.

Gives basic game instructions.

Fun ceiling animation like the TV show.

Can easily edit it.

Sometimes the template messes up.

Just like in the real game, this template includes not only blank slides for all the different questions, but also a place for a Red Light Challenge and a Video Bonus Question. You can also download the audio files for this template.

Cash Cab First Aid From Mining Quiz

Gives clear instructions on how to customize.

Nice sound effects to engage player.

Text is easily readable at a distance.

Distracting background.

No extra rounds like actual the actual game.

No way for player to select answer.

This Cash Cab template for PowerPoint has 12 questions, all related to first aid information. This template revolves around the objective to reach the Empire State Building before being kicked out of the cab with too many wrong answers.

You can also grab a blank template from the same download page if you want to write in all the questions and answers yourself.

The Price is Right by Stranded Goose

Works for free through Google Slides.

Very simple design.

Must make a TPT account if you don't already have one.

TPT requires access to your whole Google Drive account.

This 22-page template for The Price is Right is from a user called Stranded Goose at Teachers Pay Teachers. It works in Google Slides , so you'll use the presentation as part of your Google account.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day

• 13 Free PowerPoint Game Templates
• What Is Microsoft PowerPoint?
• 10 Best Places for Free PowerPoint Templates
• Create a Default Presentation Template in PowerPoint
• What Is Microsoft PowerPoint and How Do I Use It?
• How to Get PowerPoint on a Mac
• How to Create a Timeline in PowerPoint
• The 8 Best Free PowerPoint Alternatives
• 5 Best Free PowerPoint Background Sites
• Change the Default Font in PowerPoint Text Boxes
• How to Make a Word Cloud in PowerPoint
• How to Create a Microsoft Sway Presentation
• How to Copy a PowerPoint Design Template to Another Presentation
• How to Use Microsoft's Free PowerPoint Viewers
• The Definition of a Slide (or Slides) in a PowerPoint Presentation
• Use This PowerPoint Template for a Multiple Choice Quiz

10 Interactive Presentation Games for Students

“Welcome to Panel Island, one of my favorite sessions of all time. Not because I get to vote nice people off, but because you get to vote nice people off.” – Mark Fordham, iMeet Central

Four experts. Three rounds. One survivor. That was the wrinkle Mark Fordham, VP of Customer Success at iMeet Central, added to his company’s recurring panel discussions .

Each panelist answers specific questions related to his or her field. Then the audience votes for their favorite responses. The panelist with the fewest votes is voted off the “island.”

Discussions continue until only one panelist remains. Poll Everywhere handles the voting. Between talks, the audience selects their favorite speaker using their mobile devices, and the results appear in an animated chart in real time.

This is just one of many ways presenters and educators use interactive presentation games to keep the audience engaged. Here are eight more ideas for your next class, workshop, or meeting.

1. Process of elimination

This presentation game for 10 or more players helps the audience get to know each other

This game provides valuable insights into your audience members while also giving them a chance to stretch their legs.

Here’s how it works: Have everybody in your audience stand up. You’ll then pose prompts one at a time. Attendees’ responses to those prompts will dictate whether they stand or sit.

For example, let’s say that you’re speaking in a large auditorium-style classroom. Once your whole class is on their feet, you’d start by saying something like, “Sit down if this is your first time in this building.”

From there, you could keep thinning your students by saying, “Stay standing if you’ve had more than one class in this room,” and so on and so forth until only a few people – or only one person – remain on their feet. At that point, you could offer a prize or a round of applause.

2. Two truths and a lie

Welcome new students, or reintroduce old ones, with this presentation game

This classic icebreaker game works great with a recent Poll Everywhere addition: instruction image . Now you can present a photo alongside that person’s two truths and a lie so everyone knows exactly who they’re voting on.

Here’s how it works: create a new Multiple Choice activity in Poll Everywhere. Enter the participant’s name as the title, and two truths and a lie as the responses. Select the checkmarks next to the two truths to do a big reveal after voting ends.

After you create this activity, add an instruction image depicting the person you’re talking about. Be sure to check the box next to ‘Show instructions image on bar chart’ so the image is always visible.

In the image above, you can see that I changed the bar chart to a column chart. This improves readability on the presentation screen since the text isn’t sandwiched between the chart and image. Try to make your two truths and lies as short as possible. Shorter responses are always easier to read in the chart.

3. Telephone

See just how jumbled a phrase can get when it’s passed one-by-one around the room

Do you remember the game of telephone that you played as a kid? It’s just as fun as an adult.

Here’s how it works: Telephone starts by whispering a sentence into someone’s ear. Then that person repeats what you said to the person next to them. The chain continues on until the final person states aloud what they heard. It’s often something totally different from the original — with hilarious results.

You can use this in your presentation in an educational way by starting with a question that the audience wants to know (i.e. “How did Company XYZ increase their sales by 45%?”). Then, whisper the answer to the first person. Make sure to speak in a complete sentence — rather than just a few words — to make it tougher for your participants.

Even though you started the chain by whispering, “Company XYZ used content marketing to engage prospects,” you’re sure to end up with something quite ridiculous by the end.

A little advice: If you want to make this game go faster, you can do this by individual audience rows, instead of involving the whole room. It can also be fun to compare the different end results. Just know that the more people you have involved, the more twisted (and funny) the result becomes.

Read more: 20 staff meeting ideas that keep employees alert and engaged

4. Riddle me this

Wake up the audience with a brain-teaser, then reveal everyone’s responses at once

Riddles are a natural fit for Poll Everywhere word clouds . This activity transforms audience responses into a colorful, animated word cloud. Repeated words grow larger within the cloud.

Here’s how it works: create a new word cloud activity. Make the title a riddle that has a single-word answer (not a sentence or a list). Create the activity, and on the following screen locate the ‘Show results’ button. Click it so that a picture of two phones appears. Wait until everyone has responded to your riddle, then click ‘Show results’ again to reveal the finished word cloud. If the correct answer is the largest word in the cloud, that means most of the audience got it right.

By hiding the results and revealing them after everyone has voted, you prevent participants from submitting whatever seems like the most popular answer. When the results are hidden, there is a small counter in the lower left that shows you how many have responded. That way, you know when voting is finished.

5. 20 questions

Deduce a hidden image or photo by flying through 20 yes-or-no questions with the audience

Who doesn’t love a good game of 20 questions? Fortunately, it’s incredibly easy to play with your presentation audience.

Here’s how it works: display a word or picture (it could be anything from a celebrity to an animal) on the screen behind you — so that you can’t see it but the audience can. You can even ask someone to blindfold you if you don’t want to run the risk of cheating.

Now, your entire audience can see what’s on the screen, and it’s up to you to ask twenty “yes or no” questions that will help you guess exactly what’s being displayed.

Invite audience members to just yell out their answers to your questions simultaneously to create a lively game that’s sure to give your audience’s enthusiasm a boost. Double down on this by setting a 60-second timer for the questions. When time runs out, it’s time to guess.

6. Would you rather?

Learn how the audience thinks with a tricky “Would you rather?” scenario that divides the group

This presentation game is more of a conversation-starter than a traditional game. There should never be a right or wrong answer in a “Would you rather?” scenario. The winner is whoever best justifies their choice and why it’s the best one for them.

Here’s how it works: create a new multiple choice activity. Begin the title with “Would you rather…” and enter the two responses as the two scenarios. After you create this activity, locate the ‘ Visual settings ‘ button. Select it, then locate ‘ Donut chart ‘ and select that too. Doing so changes the look of your activity from a bar chart to a donut chart. Donuts are a great way to visualize the audience’s preference between two choices clearly.

To take this game a step further, start a discussion after the voting ends. Ask everyone who voted for one option to raise their hands. Then, go around the room and ask people to explain in a few words why they selected one option over the other. Save and email a copy of the donut chart afterwards as a memento.

7. Anagrams

Challenge the audience to come up with a unique solution to your anagram that on one else will guess

The crux of this presentation game is solving an anagram: a jumble of letters that can be rearranged into many different words. This is a fun mental exercise for the audience, doubly so if you’re breaking up multiple, back-to-back presentations.

Here’s how it works: create a Poll Everywhere word cloud . Select an anagram that’s at least five or six characters long, such as the one above, so that the audience has plenty of possibilities. If you want to give this a competitive edge, challenge the audience to submit words no one else will think of. These words appear as the smallest words in the cloud. If you do this, be sure to hide responses while everyone responds. Otherwise participants will copy each other’s responses.

For added fun, set the number of submissions to unlimited. Doing so rewards players for coming up with multiple unique words (thereby increasing their chances of winning) or by strategically submitting the same word multiple times to inflate its size in the cloud. You can see who submitted what on the activity’s response history page .

8. Trivia competition

Quiz the audience with multiple choice questions. A leaderboard updates live with the scores.

Nothing hooks the audience’s attention faster than putting their pride on the line. Do this with a friendly trivia competition. Trivia questions are fun. But graded trivia questions are a contest. Poll Everywhere has the perfect activity for this scenario.

Here’s how it works: create a Poll Everywhere competition . This activity is a fully customizable trivia contest. You create the questions. The audience plays for points, and a leaderboard shows everyone who is in the lead. The audience earns points for responding correctly. They also earn bonus points for responding quickly. Expect to hear gasps and cheers each time the leaderboard reveals the new point totals.

Competitions is a great interactive presentation game for energizing the audience. People can compete individually or group into teams and respond from a single phone or device. A timer adds some extra pressure and keeps the competition moving. Don’t want the added stress? Switch off the timer. Either way, when you reach the end the winner gets a fun confetti surprise.

9. Choose your own adventure

Let the audience vote to control the flow of your presentation

One of the best ways to reinforce new information is to give people the opportunity to use that information in some way. Poll Everywhere Multiple Choice activities are a simple, customizable way to create that opportunity for almost any topic.

Here’s how it works: Say you just finished presenting a lengthy seminar on how to sell vacuums door-to-door. Everyone in the audience has scribbled pages of notes on what to say to whom and when. But none of them has actually sold a vacuum, yet.

Create a choose-your-own-adventure conversation using a series of multiple-choice activities. Each activity is a different line from your fictional vacuum purchaser, and the audience votes on different replies. Whichever reply gets the most votes advances the conversation, for better or worse.

This style of questioning has plenty of applications besides vacuum salesmanship, but the core function should be constant: Giving the audience a simply way to reflect upon, and apply, what they just learned.

10. Fill in the blanks

A simple worksheet does double duty during presentations

Here’s how it works: Create a worksheet and print out several copies before your presentation. Each question on the worksheet should be an important line from your presentation – but there’s a word or phrase missing. Ask the audience to fill in those gaps as they listen.

This accomplishes two very important things for the audience. First, the questions on the worksheet make it obvious what the key points or takeaways are from your presentation. They know what to focus on and pay special attention to. Second, the completed worksheet doubles as a resource that summarizes what you just presented. Attendees can refer back to it later if they forget something.

You can gamify this exercise ever-so-slightly by entering everyone who completed the worksheet before the end of your presentation into a raffle. It’s up to you whether or not you announce this beforehand, or have it be a surprise at the end.

If you want to try any of the interactive presentation games yourself, create a Poll Everywhere account and start engaging your audience today! 

Related articles

Awake and interested: 21 Interactive presentation games

Have you ever worked hard on an important presentation, only to look out at the audience and see that they’re barely awake? 

Don’t take it personally. It’s hard to get talked at for a period of time, especially if it’s been a long day already. That’s why experienced presenters often come to the table with interactive presentation ideas. These interactive presentation games will add a little extra fun to an otherwise straightforward presentation, and might be just what you need to keep your audience awake and interested. 

Let’s face it: public speaking and presenting is rarely anyone’s favorite activity. Fearing that your audience isn’t engaged or is drifting off to sleep only makes things worse. Get creative with some interactive presentation games to engage your audience, keep them interested, and help them to actually retain the important information you’re sharing. 

21 Interactive presentation games

These ideas are great for any kind of event - from a sales kickoff meeting to a work retreat . If you are planning a seminar or industry event, consider some of these options as additions to conference activities that attendees love. 

1. Live trivia

A trivia competition is a safe and easy way to get people engaged and involved in the information. You can start your session with a trivia quiz based on any topic, or you can pause periodically and share trivia questions based on what you’ve presented already. For example, if you are presenting at a certain conference, you might choose questions that deal with the subject matter of the event. It’s pretty much fail-safe to pick some simple trivia questions to get everyone chatting at the beginning of your presentation, and if you want to create a competition you can break everyone up into small teams to see who knows the most. Tip: If you go the competition route, people will always be more engaged if there’s a prize involved. 

2. Presentation singalong

This is a silly idea that’s sure to infuse your presentation with some fun and laughs. Start by choosing a popular song with a melody that will be easy for most people to pick up on. Then write down the lyrics, and swap some of the words out with concepts from your presentation. Essentially, you’ll keep the beat but change the words to items from your talk. Then create a slide to share during your presentation and “teach” everyone the song. People will be singing along and likely remember your presentation all day! You’ll want to know your audience fairly well for this one; not everyone likes singing in public and some people will only feel embarrassed, not entertained. For people who are comfortable laughing at themselves, it’s a winner! 

3. 20 questions

This is a simple and classic question game that doesn’t require any preparation or investment. You can be the subject and the people you’re presenting to can help you to answer. Choose someone from the audience and have them write down or draw something on the board behind you. Then, ask the audience a series of questions to get to the answer of the mystery item. The game traditionally allows yes or no questions rather than open-ended ones. For example, “Is the item an animal?” or “Is the item bigger than my fist?” You might try to have them keep the answer relevant to your presentation, but that can be tough depending on the subject matter. If you go that route, try to make the game a mid-session break, where they focus on something from your presentation so far. 

4. Same-room scavenger hunt

For a twist on a classic game (that doesn’t require leaving the presentation room), put together a scavenger hunt full of items that people will either have on themselves, or ask other attendees for. Things like a certain style of pen, a diet coke, a cellphone photo of a famous landmark, a green hairband, etc. Try to choose things that people will have in their bag or on their person - but pick a few things that they’ll likely have to ask around for. That way they can move about the room a little bit, as well as strike up conversation with others. You might be surprised how much people are able to grab without having to leave the room! Set aside a few prizes for the winners, and bonus points for people who get extra resourceful.

5. Show and tell

This game can serve as a sort of icebreaker and is ideal for smaller groups , or groups who don’t know each other well. It requires a little preparation, as before the event you’ll ask everyone to bring an item such as a favorite song or beloved photo - anything that tells a bit about what matters to them. Then, before your presentation begins, have everyone introduce themselves and explain why they brought the item they chose. Have your technology lined up in advance, so that if it’s a photo, you’re able to enlarge it on a screen, or if it’s a song, it can be played. This is a great way to learn more about your fellow attendees and find commonalities that can form friendships. 

6. Periodic poll questions

Break up a lengthy presentation by having people share their opinions. Throughout your presentation, place a few polls or surveys that people can take informally. You can keep things simple by just having members raise their hands for their chosen option, or you can download an app so that you can collect responses in real-time. Try to make the topics pertinent to your presentation, and choose questions that are engaging and likely to have different opinions. You don’t want to choose questions where the answer will be obvious; that doesn’t lead to great conversation - which is your goal. 

7. True or false game

This activity is another one that allows people to move and stretch, which can be really beneficial during long or dry presentations. Prepare some slides in advance with one statement per slide. The statements can be just for fun, like about pop culture, or about the subject matter of your presentation (this is a good way to see who is paying attention). The key is that some should be true and some should be false. Think of it like a true or false quiz based on the information you’ve shared. Have the entire audience stand up, and then display the slides one-by-one. Tell them to stay standing if they believe the statement is (rightfully) true, and sit down if they believe it’s false. After each round, say whether the comment was true or false. Anyone who was wrong must now sit down permanently. Continue this process until only one person is left standing as the winner. 

8. Controversial questions

A bit of light-hearted controversy is a good way to get people engaged and to get conversation flowing. Energize your group with some questions that will spark debate. Obviously, you don’t want to create discomfort or irritation, so it’s good to avoid topics like politics, religion, current world events, etc. Keep questions on the fun side like “Mountains or beach - and why?” or “Coffee is overrated - yes or no.” Have everyone decide which side of the debate they are on and then join their “teammates”. Have the groups debate and see if anyone ends up changing their mind. 

9. Word of the day

If you want to ensure people pay more attention to your talk, start things off with a word of the day. This is particularly effective if you are doing a multi-day engagement and can change the word each day. At the beginning, tell everyone what the word of the day is. Then make sure it’s interspersed throughout your presentation. Have everyone keep a tally of how many times the word was mentioned, and whoever gets the right number wins. 

10. Process of elimination

This activity is simple, yet fun, and can help people get to know each other as well. You can choose to kick off your presentation with it, or use it as a break part way through your presentation. It requires a little preparation; before your event come up with a list of “yes or no” questions. On the day of, have everyone begin by standing up. Then ask each question one by one, and have people continue standing if their answer is yes, and sit down if their answer is no. If you want to thin the crowd earlier and make the game move faster, try suggesting scenarios instead of a question. For example, “Stay standing if you have ever seen a reindeer in real life”. Eventually you will get down to one person, who can be crowned the winner. 

11. Large group icebreakers

Not all icebreakers are the same. Some are great for meeting new people and interacting with the person next to you; others are good for getting an entire group engaged. Research icebreakers designed for large groups (our blog is a great place to start). 

12. Interactive Q & A session

An activity that’s actually really valuable to your attendees is a live question and answer session. This way they can learn more about what you’ve presented and gain a deeper knowledge. Plus, more outspoken people tend to ask questions that everyone is thinking, so it can be really helpful for everyone present. Let everyone know that at the end of your speaking portion you’ll leave time for questions. Make sure to allot about 20 minutes or more and encourage people to share any questions they have, letting them know you’ll answer to the best of your ability. 

13. Business case study

Simulations and case-studies represent real-life scenarios that people must solve. This can be an interesting and educational activity for people who are at an industry conference or other learning-style event, particularly with a business focus. To encourage really practical learning, try providing participants with a case study about a struggling company. Participants should analyze the situation and come up with a few suggestions for turning things around. Have everyone share their insights and then dive deeper into the best ideas from the group. 

14. Storytelling challenge

If you want to focus on fostering creativity and personal expression, try a storytelling challenge where everyone must create and share a story. For example, if you are hosting a team-building workshop , have each individual talk about a time they were part of a really effective team. What made them successful and what can other people take away from their story? This also helps to build a sense of connection among the audience. 

15. Collaborative whiteboard

This real-time activity involves having everyone present work together to contribute ideas, drawings, or annotations to a white board. It can really add an element of teamwork and brainstorming which can be powerful. If coming up with suggestions is part of your event, try having a large whiteboard and allowing people to come up and add their thoughts one by one. You can also use a digital white board tool to keep things a bit cleaner. Then share the ideas generated and consider giving people a few minutes to write down all of the results. 

16. Role-playing exercise

To promote empathy and communication skills, try coming up with role-playing games where participants will take on different roles or act as characters in various scenarios. For example, if you want to do customer service training, you might have one person play the role of a customer service representative and another of the role of a difficult customer. Allow them to act out various scenarios to practice problem-solving . 

17. Breakout tables

If you are presenting to a larger audience, why not try breaking them up into smaller groups to facilitate more discussions on specific topics or tasks? This is a good way to facilitate teamwork, collaboration, and a deeper dive into topic exploration. If the space allows, you can have separate breakout rooms instead of just tables. In a smaller space, divide the room with tables at the four corners so each group has room to speak comfortably without disturbing the other groups. 

18. Brain teaser

Flexing creative muscles and problem-solving are always welcome skills, no matter what the subject matter is. Come up with some challenges or brain teasers to present to your group (or smaller groups if presenting to a larger audience). Puzzles , riddles , creative tasks, or critical thinking exercises are all welcome additions that will get people moving, chatting, and thinking. Try some of these guessing games for extra fun. 

19. Interactive quiz

Want to see how much people are paying attention? Why not spring a pop quiz on them, just like in high school? We are only partly kidding. If you are presenting during a particularly long day, or on a complex topic, take periodic breaks and toss out a few quiz questions. This is especially valuable if you announce at the beginning of your presentation that you’ll be sharing some quiz questions throughout the day - then people know they need to pay attention. Pick a few key points from your talk and ask some fairly simple questions that the audience can answer. 

20. Topic of the day

If you are part of a multi-day event covering a variety of topics, you’ll get better engagement if your audience can help direct the material. Let them know in advance that you are going to keep your presentation fluid and reserve the last 20 minutes (or whatever amount of time makes sense) for a discussion on a topic of their choice. At this time, ask your audience what they want to learn more about. This is a great idea for events that last more than one day because you can build on what you previously shared. For example, if you present on Topic A on Monday, and Topic B Tuesday, ask your group on Tuesday if they would rather dive deeper into Topic A or if they want to spend more time on Topic B. Leaving it up to them will ensure they find real value in whatever is discussed. 

21. Partner assignment

For a business-focused conference, networking and meeting other professionals is part of the appeal. Kick things off well by having everyone pair up with someone they don’t know. Then assign a simple exercise where they need to work together. For example, task them with coming up with a new name for a traditional product. They’ll get to work on communication and critical thinking skills while building a bond with someone in the same industry.

Make your all-company meeting complete

Anytime that you can bring your entire group together for a team meeting or all-hands event, you have the opportunity to insert a little fun. Try some of these ideas during your next team building retreat or even when you just need some quick team-building ideas.

If you need help in figuring out the flow, and how to plan an event that all of your attendees will be talking about for years, reach out to Surf Office for expert event advice .

free course

How to plan your first company retreat

Retreat Budget Spreadsheet

Are you organising a company retreat and want to make sure you have all the costs under the control?

Get a copy of our free Budget Calculator spreadsheet.

99 Icebreaker questions about food for fun teambuilding

160 One must go questions for every working environment!

Scout out your future-leaders with 20 leadership icebreakers

37 Fun Zoom icebreaker games for virtual meetings

29 Watercooler talk topics + Do’s and Don’ts!

Organize your next company retreat with surf office, 💌 join 18,000+ managers receiving insights on building company culture that people love., stay in touch, work with us.

20 Interactive Presentation Games

• Employee Engagement , Event Planning , Leadership Techniques

Meetings and conferences can be painfully tedious and dull. So much so that the phrase “Death by PowerPoint” has made it into our lexicon. According to Thomas Sowell , an American political economist and commentator, “People who enjoy meetings should not be in charge of anything.”

But if the problem with meetings is that they tend to be boring, the solution lies in finding ways to better engage and entertain your audience. You probably know the feeling of sitting in a meeting, trying to pay attention while one person drones on for an hour.

Even if the purpose of the meeting is to train, disseminate new developments, or even get everyone up to speed on weekly goals, engaging your audience creates a motivation to pay attention.

That’s why interactive presentation games are a great way to re-energizing meetings by involving audiences in the presentation. Interactive presentation turn passive listeners into active participants. Games allow the attendees to learn new skills, think of solutions within a short time period, and solve problems together.

‍ MeetingPulse equips your team with the tools and resources to create engaging events. With that in mind, here’s our guide to a few popular interactive presentation games.

‍ Related: Creating a Positive Organizational Culture while working remote

1. Project Jeopardy

This game is designed to make the presentation of reports more fun and interactive. The lead person on the report creates cards that have answers from the report.

For example, the card reads “25%.” The rest of the team is supposed to ask the correct question corresponding to the “25%” answer on the card. The question could be something like, “What was the company revenue growth for the quarter?”

‍ How to play: Give everyone the URL to your MeetingPulse meeting. Display the question on your screen and create multiple choice answers or leave it open-ended. The answers will pop up on the administrator’s screen in real-time, and you can share the answers to see how many people got it right.

2. Idea Box Game

The Idea Box game is excellent for brainstorming meetings where employees can share ideas about a project or product . It helps get the creative juices flowing and might even lead to some usable prototypes. Instead of having one speaker after another speak about their idea, having a team create an idea box creates a space for collaboration to further spark innovation.

‍ How to play: Use the MeetingPulse brainstorming tool to have teams vote and collect feedback about the products. Have each attendee log in to your MeetingPulse link — a virtual Idea Box. Give small groups thirty minutes to brainstorm, then allow submissions.

At the end of the exercise, each team should have the product name, features and functions, marketing taglines, and other vital product details.

Once each team has completed their box they’re invited to share it with the rest of the team who finally vote for the best box. Their ideas will appear on the screen right away, and participants can upvote or downvote in Reddit-style fashion and even submit emoji reactions.

3. The Introduction Game

This game is ideal for a new group of team members meeting for the first time on a mutual project or new hires joining a team. Give the new hires a chance to introduce themselves in an unforgettable manner.

‍ How to play: Ask the new members to bring a personal item or a favorite song. During the meeting, introduce them by letting their song blare for a few minutes on the sound system and then ask them to say something about themselves. If you’re using the personal item, ask them to talk about the item and what it means to them.

4. The talking stick

This activity makes sure that anyone who has a contribution not only gets to do so, but also that they get to speak uninterrupted. Using the talking stick is a great, rapid-fire way to focus the meeting on deep and meaningful contributions.

‍ How to play: Form a circle and make sure everyone’s seated. Before the discussion begins, everyone should agree that the moderator has the power to choose whoever speaks next. Once a member finishes talking, they should put the stick back in the center for the next person.

Use the MeetingPulse audience feedback capability to gain insight right away. Choose up to four emojis and allow your audience to react as they listen to new ideas.

5. Telephone game

The telephone game is used typically as an ice breaker or to liven up a group after a couple of mind-numbing presentations. While it doesn’t really work with a very large group, a sizable number like 10 to 15 people is just right.

‍ How to play: The meeting leader whispers the latest company marketing strategy used to the person on their left who is then supposed to relay the message to the next person and on and on until the last person gets the message.

The last person then gets to tell the rest of the team the final message, and you can compare it to the primary message from the lead.

6. The trivia competition

You can use this game to test the attendees’ trivia knowledge of the company or of general business trends . Create a trivia competition where the members play for points and the winner gets a prize. Project the points for everyone to see the winner.

‍ How to play: Formulate questions related to the company and use them for the trivia test. You can use MeetingPulse to create the questions with its live Q&A session software platform capabilities , and set the timer to begin the game together. To add an extra touch of fun, include images with your multiple choice questions. Visuals add to the level of engagement and give your meetings an extra edge.

7. Fill in the phrase

Check out Meeting Pulse for Cool and creative ways to make polling questions and Quizzes!

‍ This game requires participants to fill in blanks on a survey or report. The survey or report should not be complete until the end of the presentation. This game rewards audiences for listening, and you can even provide some sort of prize.

‍ How to play: Create a report for attendees that has blanks. As you continue with the presentation, invite them to fill in the blanks from the information you are giving. Not only does the audience remain engaged, but they retain crucial information better.

‍ MeetingPulse integrates with Powerpoints , so you can use our single answer polling feature to play this game and display the results directly in your PowerPoint presentation.

8. Word of the day

Have a word of the day game as part of your presentation or meeting. It can be a phrase or a word.

‍ How to play: The presenter should weave the word or phrase into their presentation and the audience acknowledges its use by shouting back. The word must come from the team and not the presenter. This activity keeps everyone alert. Sometimes shouting can be distracting in the middle of a meeting.

In this case, use the MeetingPulse emoji feature, and everyone can submit ? when you use the word “key learnings.”

9. The 20 questions game

You get 20 questions to help you identify a picture that you can’t see, but the audience can. The audience can only lead you with yes or no questions. Use this game to liven up the audience.

‍ How to play: The audience will choose a picture that you can’t see. Have someone submit a photo and display it on the MeetingPulse user dashboard. Get blindfolded and begin to ask questions regarding the picture. You get only twenty questions to get it right.

If you’re an advertising agency, you can use this test your employees’ memory and see if they remember what you worked on. To keep track of all the questions and responses, have the audience choose “yes” or “no” by using a live audience polling tool instead of having them shout it out.

10. Call and response

This game keeps the audience focused. The leader in the meeting calls out a phrase randomly during their presentation and the audience responds to it .

‍ How to play: Agree on the action to be taken every time the phrase is called out. The second the presenter calls out the word, your audience can dance, clap or just rise and seat. Alternatively, they can respond with a phrase, word, or an emoji using MeetingPulse.

11. What would I have done?

In this game, ask each member of the team what their alternative career would be. The point of the game is to open up to each other and foster conversation.

‍ How to play: Each member writes down their alternative career and waits their turn to reveal. The audience collectively asks “What would you have done?” and the selected member responds explaining why they chose that alternative. This is another great game you can play virtually, especially if you’re working with a big team.

With MeetingPulse , you can find out everyone’s alternative career and even get some statistics.

12. Fabulous flags

In this game , team members draw things that matter to them on their flag. This is known as the personal flag game, and it’s an excellent ice breaker activity.

‍ How to play: Everyone gets 10 minutes to draw objects or symbols that represent something meaningful in their lives. Each person gets two minutes to explain the items on their flag.

13. Botticelli

Similar to 20 questions, this game also tests your trivia. You keep in mind a person, place, or thing, and the audience has to guess. The game is a bit more complex because the player can talk back to the audience and distract them from the name.

‍ How to play: The audience asks leading questions to which the player responds with a yes or no. If they ask a specific question like “Does the celebrity’s name start with B?” then the player can respond with “It’s not Brad Pitt.”

This game is logistically easy to plan because all you need to do is formulate the poll questions and integrate them into your PowerPoint with MeetingPulse .

14. Candy introductions

This is a game that allows people to get to know each other while enjoying some sweet treats. It’s excellent for training sessions where participants are complete strangers, providing general topics for introductions that employees can elaborate upon further.

‍ How to play: The participants choose different types of candy from a bag and use each to represent different topics about themselves during the introduction. They can talk about family, career, hobbies, unexpected characteristic and dream destinations.

15. Crazy job interview

In this game, one participant tries to convince the others why they would be the best for a certain job. They have to expound on qualities given by another player and how those qualities make them a good fit.

‍ How to play: The participant is given a career, like a supermodel. Then they are given random phrases like “angry with the queen” or “intellectually incompatible” and they have to use these phrases to explain why they would be great at being a supermodel.

16. The elimination game

The elimination game helps participants to get to know each other, using a series of questions to find out the most common and most rare similarities amongst people within your company.

‍ How to play: The whole room is asked to stand up. The leader then asks elimination questions like “how many are attending this conference for the first time?” That group gets to sit down. The next is “remain standing if this is your fourth consecutive attendance.” The rest of the group sits down. And the elimination questions continue.

17. Would you rather

This is a fun game to liven up the room, giving participants two choices of something they can do. They have to choose the lesser evil.

‍ How to play: The player is given a question with two very bad or very good outcomes. For example, if the employees are afraid of heights, ask, “Would you rather go sky diving or bungee jumping?”

If you want to play this game with a large group of people, you can use MeetingPulse to get answers in real time. This game can also provide valuable insight for you. For instance, you can ask, “Would you rather have a breakfast spread or small desserts for our next meeting?”

18. Anagrams

‍ Think up a word and have everyone else try to figure it out. Expect some hilarious answers as everyone chips in.

‍ How to play: Jumble up the letters but ensure that they create a five or six letter word anagram when correctly aligned. Only the presenter should suggest the word, and the activity should be timed. People can submit their answers live on MeetingPulse .

19. Two truths and a lie

The players get to tell two truths and one lie about themselves and the audience deciphers which one is the lie.

‍ How to play: The player chooses a topic, like “career.” They tell two real facts about their career and one lie. The audience then decides which statement is false and why they believe that.

20. Choose the Agenda

In this activity, the participants choose the agenda of the meeting instead of being told what it is. This allow them to address burning issues.

‍ How to play: Participants are invited to submit their agendas, which are shared by everyone and then voted on. The one with the most votes becomes the main agenda for the meeting. This gives participants control over the meeting as well.

You can use MeetingPulse’s brainstorming tool with the upvoting feature for this!

Final Thoughts

Now that you know some of the best interactive presentation games, you’re ready to host your next event with new and creative ways to keep your audience engaged. MeetingPulse is a great tool and resource for you to make your presentations more memorable and — dare we say it — fun.

‍ Related: 25 Fun Poll Questions to Ask Your Audience

Get started with MeetingPulse today!

Share this article on your socials, latest posts.

Boosting Audience Engagement with Interactive Presentation Tools

Enhancing Employee Engagement with Interactive Meeting Software

Cool Ideas for Your Hot Summer

The Benefits of Language-Inclusive Meetings and Events

Blog categories.

• Audience Response Tools
• Best Practices
• Employee Engagement
• Event Planning
• Hybrid Events
• Leadership Techniques
• Meeting Prep
• Organizational Development
• Uncategorized

To make MeetingPulse a seamless addition to your meetings, we offer custom themes. You can use your own logo and your colors in Attendee View as well as Broadcast View. Your company name can also be included in the webpage’s title. Your meeting can also have its own domain. This is great if you are going to promote your meeting offline. For example, you could use “acme2022.com” instead of “meet.ps/acme-all-hands”.

Live Product Tours

Weekly Product Tour Every Wednesday

• Success Stories
• Integrations
• Help Center
• Cvent Marketplace
• Connect with Zapier
• Trust Center
• System Status
• MeetingPulse User Reviews

• What solution is best for me?
• Download the Government eBook

13 Interactive Presentation Ideas to Engage Students in Class

If you’re a teacher, you’ll know that there’s a lot to think about when you’re in class. It’s important to ensure that what you’re teaching the children is as educational and as interesting as possible - with the aim of engaging the students in the subject and hopefully even enabling them to enjoy learning! 

This can be a very difficult balance to strike. However, it’s made easier by these interactive presentation ideas listed in this article, which can engage even the most distracted of students!

How to display presentations

The best classroom gadget to show these presentations on is an interactive display. These are large devices that are mounted to the wall and can connect seamlessly with any video collaboration applications. You can connect interactive displays to the internet and further use them as a powerful classroom teaching tool, to help students learn in a fully interactive and efficient way. We sell interactive displays for classrooms  here at Avocor.

Interactive class presentation ideas 

Ice breakers.

Many work-related presentations start with an icebreaker, and there’s no reason why a presentation to a class of students should be any different. 

The icebreaker question will depend on the class and age of students, but could be something like the following: 

• If you could be an animal, what would it be and why? 
• What would be your dream place to go on holiday? 
• If you could have dinner with three historical characters, who would they be and why? 
• If you could make any kind of potion, what would it do? 

Incorporating video is one of the best interactive presentation ideas for students. Even if the video is about the same topic as the presentation, the fact that it’s a different type of media will interest the class. 

You can either find a suitable video on YouTube or another video software or, if you have a file saved, paste it directly into the presentation . 

Questions and answers

Questions and answers are a great way to get the whole class involved. You could invite one student to ask a hypothetical question about the topic, and another could answer. 

For example, if you’re learning about Henry VIII and his six wives , you could ask a student to ask a question about them. Their question could be “what was Henry VIII’s favourite food?” or something similar. 

When another student answers, you could ask them to explain their answer - for example, if they say “meat and bread”, they might carry on to explain that that was the main diet for royalty at the time. 

Songs are a good way to interest younger kids in a topic. You can find songs about all sorts of subjects on YouTube. For example, this seven continents song could be suitable for a Geography song. 

Many songs on YouTube have lyrics, so you could encourage your class to practice their reading as they sing along. 

Some presentations are made more interactive by external objects - and if you want to engage younger kids, bringing some props can really help the lesson to come alive. 

For example, if you’re doing a history lesson about the Ancient Egyptians , you could bring some figures of Tutankhamun, the Sphinx and the ancient pyramids for everybody to see. 

Class involvement

Asking for direct class involvement throughout the presentation is a good way to ensure that students stay engaged. For instance, if you’re doing a presentation about animals, you could ask students to make a noise every time you mention a certain animal.

You could ask them to roar each time you mention lions, or make a monkey noise each time you talk about monkeys. This is a great way to ensure that the students are paying attention! 

Transitions and animations

A simple way to ensure that your students are paying attention is to use different transitions and animations throughout your presentation. 

If you’re teaching older kids or teenagers, you might not want to have too many of these, but younger kids will love seeing every item bounce onto the screen. It’s a wonderful way to get them interested in technology in the classroom !

Quizzes are an effective way to engage students of any age. You can include these at the end of the presentation and they can include questions that you’ve covered in the session. 

If your students know that there will be a quiz at the end of the class, they may be more likely to pay attention throughout it! You could also ensure maximum engagement by telling students that there will be prizes for the winner of the quiz - such as stickers or sweets. 

Interactive games

Interactive games for class presentations are always a popular way to ensure that students stay engaged! Some examples include: 

• noughts and crosses or tic tac toe
• pictionary 
• hangman or an alternative like spaceman
• 21 questions

It’s best to make these games related to the subject. For example, the game “21 questions” involves you thinking of a character and students asking questions with a yes or no answer about what character you are. 

If you’re teaching a history class, the character could be somebody from history (such as Florence Nightingale or Queen Victoria), or if you’re instructing a science lesson, the character could be a famous scientist (like Einstein or Steven Hawking). 

Brainstorming

Brainstorming is another great way to get the class involved. You can use an interactive display to create the brainstorm diagram on. Students can take turns writing on the board, and it  can securely connect to any external devices, so any remote class members can join in. 

With an interactive display, you can also immediately share the diagram to the rest of the class once it’s finished, so they can keep it to refresh their knowledge of a topic. 

For example, if you’re teaching your class about Australia in geography , you could ask their students what they may already know about Australia. They could come up with some items like the following: 

• Sydney Opera House
• Aboriginal art
• outback 

You could then create a spider diagram with different legs depending on the topic. For this list, there could be an “animals” leg for kangaroos and koalas, an “architecture” leg for the Sydney Opera House, a “landscapes” leg for the rainforest and outback, a “culture” leg for Aboriginal art and a “food” leg for BBQ.

Make a story

Making a story about the topics covered can encourage creativity around the topic. To do this, write down a couple of opening lines to a story related to the topic that you’re teaching. 

For example, if you’re teaching students about the Ancient Roman Empire, you could start by saying “Ronald the Roman lived in the British City of Bath, where the Romans had arrived 20 years before. He spent most of his time at work, where he built houses for the rest of the Romans”. 

Then, you could invite a student to continue the story, encouraging them to stay as on-topic as possible. You could even give out a prize to the student with the best part of the story. Depending on the size of the class, you could ask every student to contribute. 

Stories also work well for English lessons. In these classes, the topic of the story doesn’t matter as much, but you could encourage students to use whatever language they’ve been learning. 

For example, if your class has been focused on adjectives, you could ask students to put as many adjectives as possible in each part of their story. 

Have a short play 

You could take your stories to the next level by creating a short play on one of your slides. This could be based on whatever topic you’re learning about, and you could select a few students to come to the front of the class and read out the lines. 

You may wish to create this personally, find a relevant play online or you could even turn a well-known story into a play!

Virtual field trip

One of the most creative interactive school presentation ideas is to take the class on a virtual field trip. This is particularly valuable for geography lessons, where you may learn about places that students might not be able to visit in person, like the Amazon rainforest or even under the sea!

You could link to Google maps, where you could use Google Earth to explore a particular area. Alternatively, there are some YouTube channels that specialise in virtual tours and field trips, such as this one which details all you need to know about rainforests .

If you have a classroom full of students and want to keep them as engaged as possible while teaching them new material, try some of these interactive games for classroom presentations and other ideas! 

By incorporating some of these interactive ideas into your presentation, you’ll have the students’ full undivided attention and ensure that they not only enjoy the class but retain the information.

Related Articles

What is the difference between flexible and hybrid working, 9 tips for effective interactive workplace communication, flexible working advantages: 7 key benefits for your business, how to create a flexible working environment: ultimate guide, interactive wall ideas for offices: how to decorate for inspiration, get in touch, sign up for our newsletter.

Keep up to date with all the latest from Avocor and partners and get information on upcoming events and exciting product news.

Latest Updates

Useful links, ready to talk.

To provide the best experiences, we and our partners use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us and our partners to process personal data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site and show (non-) personalized ads. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.

Click below to consent to the above or make granular choices. Your choices will be applied to this site only. You can change your settings at any time, including withdrawing your consent, by using the toggles on the Cookie Policy, or by clicking on the manage consent button at the bottom of the screen.

The 12 Best Online Games for Groups and Classrooms

Discover the perfect solution for engaging groups and classrooms—online educational games. Transform lessons into lively, interactive experiences, making learning fun and inclusive. From math to history, these games enhance engagement and productivity, making them ideal for teachers and students alike. Explore our top 12 picks and revolutionize your classroom experience!

12 Best Online Group Games

Game #1: Starting the Morning on the Right Foot ( Good Morning Class ) 

"Good Morning Class" is an interactive icebreaker that sets the stage for an awesome, motivated classroom, where learning is a blast and everyone's engaged. 

To play, create a presentation on "Slides with Friends," start the event, and have your students join via smartphone. Ask questions through the seven slides and foster discussions for communication. Conclude the game by summarizing responses and transitioning to the lesson.

“ Good Morning Class” is suitable for all age groups. This fun game can seamlessly become a part of your learning journey, offering benefits like fostering camaraderie, as well as improving communication, engagement, and digital skills.

Game #2: Building Vocabulary (First Letter, Last Letter)

“First Letter, Last Letter” challenges players to showcase their vocabulary and quick-thinking skills. To play, you simply have a back-and-forth conversation — except there's one rule: each person must begin their next sentence or word with the letter the last person ended on. For example, if the first player says “I love apples”, the next must start their sentences with an s , like “Sure, but are they as good as oranges?.”

"First Letter, Last Letter" is typically suitable for students who are at least in elementary school or around 6-7 years old. It can be integrated into language lessons, making vocabulary, spelling, and word links a total hoot! 

Game #3: Put Your General Knowledge to the Test ( Virtual Trivia )

"Virtual Trivia" is a digital twist on the classic knowledge-testing game. Create a set of topic-specific trivia questions, form teams, and award points for correct answers. The age limit varies based on the game itself. There are cool trivia games made just for kids as young as 6 or 7. 

You can also use “Slides with Friends” to create fun trivia quizzes. You get to choose from a number of exciting interactive templates that you can customize or enjoy right away. Want a quick game? Try out the “ Travel Trivia ” game which contains 12 slides and will take no more than 15 minutes. Or, if you're in for an epic trivia marathon, the Huge Movie Trivia game's got you covered with movie poster guessing and famous quotes to keep you entertained for more than an hour. 

By incorporating trivia questions into their lessons, teachers can make sure that their students understand important concepts while keeping them engaged and excited. It's about working together and remembering cool facts, making the overall learning experience even more engaging.

Game #4: Digital Drawing Fun (Virtual Pictionary)

“Virtual Pictionary” brings the classic drawing and guessing game into the digital realm! Most online Pictionary games recommend an age range of approximately 8 to 10 years and older.

To play, divide students into teams and choose words to draw. In each round, one team member becomes the illustrator, racing against the clock to depict the chosen word while teammates guess. No letters, numbers, or talking allowed! 

“Virtual Pictionary” can become a creative classroom tool for teachers to enhance vocabulary and artistic talents with loads of fun. They can weave in educational themes and subject-related words, allowing students to brush up on their knowledge while having a blast drawing and guessing.

Game #5: Interactive Wordplay Fun (Scattergories)

“Scattergories” is a word game where players must think of words that start with a specific letter and fit into given categories within a time limit. To play it online, gather your students, and when a round begins, you'll receive a category and a starting letter. Think up unique words that match both, and if no one else picks the same word, you score a point. Online “Scattergories” typically works best for players aged 12 and up. 

Teachers and educators can use this fast-paced game to boost their students' vocabulary, critical thinking, and creativity. It's an interactive method to foster group dynamics, enhance communication, and refine problem-solving skills .

Game #6: Guessing Game Fun (Heads Up)

Online “Heads Up” is a great game for encouraging group interaction in the classroom. Players take turns guessing a word displayed on their foreheads, relying on their classmates' clues to figure it out. Typically, the online version of “Heads Up” is best suited for children around 8 years old or older. 

​​Virtual “Heads Up” isn't just for fun; it can be a clever learning tool too! Teachers can tailor categories to match the curriculum, making lesson reviewing great fun. This game encourages teamwork, quick thinking, and communication skills, all while making learning an absolute blast!

Game #7: Treasure Hunt in the Digital Classroom ( Digital Scavenger Hunt ) 

Digital “Scavenger Hunt” is a great classroom game where the teacher curates a list of items and tasks that students must complete within a designated time frame. To make it educational, the items and activities can be connected to the lesson, adding a fun and engaging twist to learning. Typically, children around 8 years old and above can understand and enjoy the game. 

Teachers can incorporate Digital “Scavenger Hunt” into lessons to reinforce concepts. By linking tasks to specific topics, it transforms the classroom into a lively arena of learning. Plus, it encourages collaboration and critical thinking, making learning feel like a thrilling treasure hunt!

Game #8: World Map Challenge ( Geography Puzzles ) 

“Geography Puzzles” puts your class's global knowledge to the test while fostering group interaction in a fun way. To play, send students a blank world map and challenge them to fill it out with as much accuracy as they can. You can use the Puzzle Masters Deck by Slides with Friends to create custom geography puzzles tailored to your students’ level of knowledge, adding an extra layer of excitement to the game. It's generally suitable for upper elementary students (around 10-11 years old) and older.

“Geography Puzzles” is a clever way to sprinkle some fun into your geography lessons. Teachers can tailor the challenge to match the class's skill level, making it a fantastic tool to learn and review countries, capitals, and more. 

Game #9: Interactive Choice Game (Would You Rather)

"Would You Rather" is a delightful icebreaker that encourages students to engage in lively discussions and share their preferences. To play, compile a list of thought-provoking prompts, and start the online lesson by asking students to choose between two intriguing options. Here is an example of an engaging "Would You Rather" question: “Would you rather have the intelligence of Hermione Granger from Harry Potter or the courage of Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games?”

"Would You Rather" is a versatile teaching tool. Teachers can customize prompts to link with lesson content, sparking discussions that reinforce classroom concepts. It promotes interaction, critical thinking, and retention of information while making learning an enjoyable adventure. The game is generally suitable for students around 10-11 years old and older. 

Game #10: Questioning Challenge Game (20 Questions)

"20 Questions" divides students into two groups, where one group thinks of an item, and the other group asks ten strategic yes-or-no questions to guess the object. Typically, “20 Questions” is appropriate for upper elementary students and older.

For example they might ask “Is it alive?” - yes. “Is it a person?” - yes. “Do I know them?” - yes. “Is it our teacher?” yes!

Teachers can tailor the game to any subject, sparking critical thinking and discussion. It promotes teamwork, effective communication, and problem-solving skills while making the classroom environment more interactive and enjoyable.

Game #11: Collaborative Storytelling (Complete a Story)

If your goal is to ignite creativity and a love for reading in your students, try playing "Complete a Story". It's all about giving your students a starting line or prompt, like "a boy running down the hill," and watching as students craft imaginative stories around it. 

Typically, this game can be enjoyed by children in upper elementary grades, but it can be adapted for younger children with simpler prompts. To play "Complete a Story" online, you generally need access to a shared document or a more specialized online platform or app designed for collaborative storytelling . 

In addition to boosting creativity and reading skills, "Complete a Story" fosters collaboration, sparks imaginative thinking, and helps students hone their comprehension skills, all while having a great time in the learning process.

Game #12: Memory Challenge Game (Sharp Memory)

"Sharp Memory" is a fun way to exercise your students’ memory muscles! You'll need to gather a few items like a pencil, mug, and chocolates, and then give your students a quick 20-second glimpse. Challenge them to list as many items as they can remember, and the student with the most items wins the game.

The game is typically suitable for children aged 6 and older. To play "Sharp Memory" online, you need a camera to display the chosen objects and a platform for sharing the video feed.

Teachers can use "Sharp Memory" to boost memory in a fun way. This engaging activity improves focus, quick thinking, and recall abilities, making learning a fun and interactive experience in the classroom.

Subscribe for more articles like this

Try slides with friends for free.

The easiest way to host meetings your team will love

Engagement delivered to your inbox

We'll email you 1-2x per month with brand new, ready-to-run events and ideas. Subscribe to stay ahead of the curve and keep your lessons, meetings, and events fresh and engaging.

50+ PowerPoint Game Ideas for Interactive & Engaging Presentations

Last updated on May 8th, 2024

In the ever-evolving world of presentation tools, PowerPoint remains a versatile mainstay. While most of us associate it with business meetings or academic lectures, it’s worth noting that its capabilities stretch far beyond. From engaging classroom activities to lively party games, PowerPoint offers a plethora of interactive opportunities. Dive into this curated list of popular games you can craft using PowerPoint, and discover how to transform this presentation platform into an entertaining gaming console.

Benefits of using Games in PowerPoint Presentations?

Games are not just a source of entertainment; they are a potent tool for fostering engagement, boosting retention, and breaking the monotony of standard presentations.

In business, using PowerPoint games can invigorate team meetings, encourage participation in training sessions, and enhance the assimilation of complex data, making information dissemination more impactful.

For the classroom setting, PowerPoint games pave the way for an interactive learning environment, where students are motivated to participate actively. It aids in the comprehension of challenging concepts, fosters a competitive yet collaborative spirit, and ensures that learning is not just effective but enjoyable.

Leveraging the power of games in PowerPoint presentations is thus a strategic move, transforming the traditional slide-based discourse into an interactive experience for both corporate and educational realms.

In this article, we will present some game ideas that you can implement in PowerPoint, either by using pre-defined Game templates or creating your own interactive PowerPoint games. Let’s see some ideas below, as well as a quick description on how you can create the game using PowerPoint slides or download pre-existing free PowerPoint templates with games .

1. Family Feud PowerPoint Game

Family Feud is a quiz game where contestants guess the most popular answers to survey questions.

To create this game in PowerPoint, design slides with the questions and use animations to reveal the answers as players guess. Organize the answers in a descending order of popularity, revealing the most popular answers last for dramatic effect. Color coding and use of sound effects can enhance the experience. You can download this free Family Feud PowerPoint template .

2. Jeopardy PowerPoint Game

Jeopardy is a classic quiz game featuring categories and increasing point values.

To create a Jeopardy Game in PowerPoint, begin by crafting a grid of point values on a master slide. Each value should link to a separate question slide. Use hyperlinks for seamless navigation. After answering, guide the user back to the main grid. To track answered questions, you might consider changing the color or appearance of clicked values.

Check out this animated Jeopardy PowerPoint Template in case you are interested in learning how to make a Jeopardy game on PowerPoint.

3. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire PowerPoint Template Game

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire is a high-stakes quiz game with questions of increasing difficulty and lifelines.

To create a Who Wants to Be a Millionaire game in PowerPoint, create a series of slides with questions and multiple-choice answers. Use animations and slide transitions for lifelines, such as “50:50,” revealing the correct answer or polling the audience. Include dramatic sound effects and visual cues for milestones in prize money.

4. Wheel of Fortune Game for PowerPoint

The Wheel of Fortune is a word puzzle game, Wheel of Fortune sees players guessing letters to complete a phrase.

To create this game as a PPT presentation, you can use text boxes in PowerPoint for the puzzle, and animations to reveal letters as they’re guessed. You can also use editable puzzle templates to form the different shapes and layouts. Consider incorporating a spinning wheel animation or image for added effect. Sound effects can be used when letters are guessed correctly or incorrectly.

5. Bingo Game for PowerPoint

Bingo involves players marking off numbers on a card as they’re randomly drawn.

To create a Bingo Game in PowerPpoint, prepare Bingo cards and design slides that randomly display numbers. To ensure randomness, consider using a number generator and manually progressing through slides.

6. Memory Match Game in PowerPoint

Memory Match game is a card-matching game. Memory Match requires players to flip two cards to find pairs.

Using PowerPoint, design slides with hidden images or text that appear upon click. Ensure two of each item for pairing. Create a grid layout in PowerPoint, and use PowerPoint animations to simulate the card “flip” effect when clicked.

7. Trivia Quiz Game in PowerPoint

In Trivia Quiz, players answer a variety of multiple-choice or true/false questions.

Design your PowerPoint slides with a question on top, followed by clickable answers below. Using slide transitions, provide immediate feedback for correct or incorrect answers. Consider incorporating a scoring system or timer for added challenge. If you don’t want to create a quiz from scratch, you may use a free Quiz PowerPoint template design , or a free Trivia PowerPoint template , with pre-defined slides prepared for a Quiz or Trivia game. Alternatively, you can check the quiz maker tools .

8. Hangman PowerPoint Game

Hangman is a word-guessing game. Incorrect guesses lead to drawing parts of a hangman figure.

For this game in PowerPoint, you can create a new PowerPoint presentation and use text boxes for the mystery word. Then, add shapes for the hangman drawing, revealing parts incrementally with each wrong guess. The game concludes when the word is guessed or the hangman is fully drawn. You can also leverage this presentation by applying animations.

9. Pictionary PowerPoint Game

Pictionary is about guessing a word based on a drawing.

In PowerPoint, you can create a Pictionary game that displays a hint or a drawn representation of the word on a slide. When presenting the slideshow, players then guess what the word is based on the visual. This can be made interactive by using drawing tools in real-time, if the platform allows.

10. Price is Right in PowerPoint

In this game, players estimate the price of various items.

To create a Price is Right PPT presentation, you can showcase images of items on your PowerPoint slides and have players guess their price. Once guesses are made, reveal the actual cost. This can be done using PowerPoint animations (first the cost is hidden, and then when revealed you use a Fade effect or any other animation under the Appear section). To add more dynamics, use animations to simulate the spinning wheel or other mini-games from the show.

The Big List of Other Interactive PowerPoint Games for Engaging Presentations

Here are 40+ interactive PowerPoint games that you can incorporate into your presentations for engaging presentations.

Conclusions

PowerPoint proves time and again that it’s more than just a tool for slideshows; it’s a canvas for creativity. By thinking outside the box, we can leverage its features to create engaging and interactive games suitable for various settings. Whether you’re an educator aiming to make lessons more captivating or someone looking to add a fun twist to a gathering, these PowerPoint games offer an innovative way to engage and entertain. So, the next time you open up PowerPoint, challenge yourself to see it not just as a presentation tool, but as a gateway to interactive fun.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Sign up to our newsletter

We will send you our curated collections to your email weekly. No spam, promise!

• Interactive Display
• Accessories
• myViewBoard
• Multi-touch Series
• Professional - VP Series
• Business - VG Series
• Home and Office - VA Series
• USB-C Series
• Home Entertainment
• Sports Viewing
• Installation
• Customizable All-in-One
• Foldable All-in-One
• Standard All-in-One
• Presentation Displays
• Direct View LED Display
• Pen Display
• ViewSonic Education Solutions
• ViewSonic Workspace Solutions
• Personal Display Solutions
• TeamJoin Meeting Solution
• ViewSonic Library & Blog
• myViewBoard Resources
• Case Studies
• Solution Briefs
• White Papers
• Press Center
• Knowledge Base
• Product Warranty
• Español ( Spanish )
• Deutsch ( German )
• Türkçe ( Turkish )

Education  |  Sep 21 2019

5 Interactive Presentations Ideas that will Engage Students

Interactive presentations should always be an educator’s goal. Dry, teacher-centered lectures lose students’ interest, while interactive presentations grab and hold attention. Getting students involved improves retention, understanding, and enjoyment. And it’s remarkably easy to involve the audience with just a few easy principles (especially with the right technology at your disposal).

Start creating interactive presentations with the tips and tricks below or get more insights on modern education technology.

Students today expect the classroom to be both educational and enjoyable at the same time. Interactive presentations help engage students by having them participate in the lessons instead of passively listening to lectures. This reduces boredom and gives students a sense of responsibility to be attentive.

A Gallup Poll  of about 3,000 schools shows that around the 5 th  grade 74% of students feel they are engaged in school, but by the 10 th , 11 th , and 12 th grade those numbers fall to the 30% range. It is important for educators from K-12 and on to higher education to recognize that keeping students engaged in the classroom is important and the adoption of interactive learning environments can be a key driver.

Millennials and Generation Y students are especially accustomed to being a part of the lessons and not just a spectator. Students are encouraged to talk and offer their ideas to create a collaborative atmosphere where both teachers and students are sources of knowledge and insight. The teacher plays more of a facilitator role in moving the lesson along and encouraging students to participate in their own learning outcomes. Students offer their own input, additional information, and give examples of how they would apply the key concepts.

The learning task is the central aspect of the interactive presentations (instead of the teacher’s energy level and hold on the students’ attention spans) and the lessons evolve around it. Even though the teacher is normally, the ‘presenter’ in most cases the ‘interaction’ part comes in a variety of ways to get students participating in the lesson. Many activities, games, role-plays, quizzes, and discussions  can be integrated into the presentation flow and the lessons will take different directions from there. We will discuss later many examples of tools and techniques to encourage collaborations.

Technological Aid in Interactive Presentations

Although interactive presentations can be done without technology, it is greatly aided with the adoption of tools designed to facilitate the learning process. For example, a quiz is given in the middle of the presentation. On one side, traditionally a teacher can write the quiz before the lesson starts, print out copies for all students, pass out the quiz, and collect answers. To provide feedback for the exercise the teacher will also need to grade and start a discussion on the results before moving on to the next topic. This process is time-consuming and restrictive.

With technological aid such as an interactive digital whiteboard or a classroom quizzing application on individual devices, the students and teacher can come up with the quiz questions on the spot. This digital quiz can be administrated wirelessly to all students and within seconds, the results can be shared with all participants to discuss. This greatly increases spontaneity, variability, and class involvement.       

5 Interactive Presentations Ideas and Corresponding Technology Aids

1. Storytelling

The teacher does not have to be the only star. The glory of the presentation can go to all participants who have a story to tell. The main concepts can be discussed and students should be given time to come up with a personal example. This exercise helps students relate to the subject matter and getting to listen to other students’ examples will drive home the concepts further. The need for the teacher to plan extensive examples and be the only one talking during the presentation is reduced. Teachers can also judge by the stories shared how much the students are understanding.

Storytelling with technology: Many digital whiteboards have Cast and Throw functions that will allow students to work on their own examples on their devices and send this to the whiteboard when sharing. This allows students to quickly go up and share their stories without sending files by email, wires, or USBs.

2. Non-linear presentation

Presentations that do not follow a strict order but organically flow from topic to topic based on the audience’s feedback are a great way to engage participants. Once prepared, the presenter can flow from one topic to the next by asking questions, polling, or receiving requests at the end of each key point. This allows the audience to ‘build’ their own presentation on what they want to hear not in a rigid manner as with traditional slide-based presentations.

Non-linear presentation with technology : There are non-linear presentation applications like  Prezi which helps presenters build presentations on easy-to-customize templates. They offer a zoomable canvas (not slides) to help people share knowledge, stories and inspire audiences to act. The canvas shows relationships between points and offers a recommended flow but not a set path to follow.

3. Polls, surveys, and quizzes

One of the most recognizable and used tools in the classroom to get a fast reaction from students are polls, surveys & quizzes. For polls, simple questions that have limited answers are used to gather a consensus. This could be in the form of a raise of hands, ballots, or having students form groups. Surveys would require printed paper sheets with multiple choices, scales, or short answers to gather opinions. Quizzes are used to quickly test a student’s knowledge on what was just covered, so the class can identify weak areas and crystalize main concepts.

Polls, surveys, and quizzes can be anonymous or not. Openly requiring students to share their ideas on results such as a debate or open discussion would increase the interactives of the activity. Students can also be tasked to create questions and grade their own surveys and quizzes for an added layer of participation within the presentation.

Polls, surveys, and quizzes with technology : Many classroom management software such as  Google Classroom has built-in tools to create polls, surveys, and quizzes along with assignments, communication, and other educational features. Once submitted, the collection and grading are instantaneous. The results can be shared easily with students both individually or as a group. 

Is there a student – of any age – who does not like a good game, contest, or competition? Adding a small game into a presentation breaks up the normal lecture format and gets the audience to think critically to help their team win. There are many versions and adaptions of basic educational games . Teachers can take games such as Pictionary, Jeopardy, Casino, and Bingo then adapt them to their needs. 

ViewSonic Originals

Free interactive teaching materials

Gamifying your interactive presentation : By integrating into the presentation links to applications like  ClassCraft  or  Kahoot a teacher can quickly launch an interactive digital game. These applications help teachers tailor their own games by adding their questions, facts, and materials for individuals, small teams, or the whole class to participate.

5. Discussions and groups breakout sessions

Having the class only listen to a lecture marks the end of any interactive presentation. Adding sections where students can have an open discussion or breakout sessions can help students learn from each other, share insights, and have an opportunity to ask questions to their peers. It is also an opportunity for the teacher to take a break from talking and help small groups or students individually as the rest of the class converse.

Taking the discussion online for interactive presentations : Live discussion applications like  NowComment  allow students to markup and discuss a text in real-time which is great for peer-review activities and gather student input into one place quickly. Alternatively, Yo Tech is great for teachers to create and moderate real-time chat rooms. Students can send text-like messages, reply to other messages, and share pictures and drawings. Online chat groups are a great way for large groups of students to collaborate and interact in one place while keeping the noise level down in a classroom.

Tips for Creating Interactive Presentations

Here are some tips when creating a presentation that has interactive components:

Add in places within your lecture notes or presentation slides reminders for you to engage the audience. This could be a small image or phrase. When using digital whiteboards or other display technology you could also use a sound, empty slide, or pop-up link to prompt you to start.

Time Limits

It is great to keep going a good game or discussion in the class where everyone is really engaged. However, keep the maximum amount of time you can dedicate to these activities in mind. Have a watch or a timer on hand and keep things moving. Give enough time for students to get engaged without overdoing it. Spread out chances for students to talk and share. When it is time to move on to the next topic prepare a transition to the next part of the presentation.

Think of ways to let all students have a chance to share. You can select students randomly or have them take turns in some kind of order. Remind students that this is a learning activity and not everyone will get it right the first time. The interactive activity should be open and inclusive. Students who are introverted may be given activities that can be done without going to the front of the class or public speaking.

Benefits of Having Interactive Components in Your Presentation

• Retention:  Actively having students engage with the concepts of the presentation in different ways and hearing it from different people (besides the teacher) helps with long-term retention.
• Personalization:  Students are given the choice of where the presentation is heading and participate in their own learning outcomes.
• Fun:  Having a break from the routine, getting a chance to move around, developing teams, and sharing are all much better than sitting silently and taking notes. 
• Feedback:  Adding interactive activities into a presentation gives you instant feedback about students’ comprehension.
• Vocalization: Having students actually vocalize their ideas helps them internalize the concepts.
• Summarization: Students review and summarize their own main points while doing the activities so there is less need for repetition.

ViewSonic Education

Learning Solutions For the Future

Build Your Own Version of Interactive Presentations for Your Next Lesson

Bringing in the interactive components and increasing the engagement of your presentations will both help you – a teacher – and your students. Make presentations both educational and entertaining with Edutainment! With or without technology, consider incorporating some new ideas into your next interactive presentation.

If you liked reading this article, you might also want to explore our complete guide to technology in the classroom or gain more insights on engaging lessons with ViewSonic’s education solutions.  

RELATED ARTICLES

Education  |  Aug 26 2024

Navigating EdTech: How to Adapt Technology to Your Teaching Style

Find out how to adapt educational technology to your teaching style and create impactful, student-centered learning experiences.

Tech  |  Aug 12 2024

Strengthening Campus Safety: 3 Ways to Leverage Device Broadcasting

Discover how centralized device management systems can enhance campus safety by improving communication and emergency response times.

Technology in the Classroom  |  Aug 05 2024

Integrating Active Learning Spaces in Modern Classroom Design: 3 Essential Pointers

Discover how active learning spaces can transform classroom engagement and collaboration through flexible layouts and interactive tech.

Education  |  Jul 22 2024

Preventing Learning Loss Over Summer Break: How to Prevent the “Summer Slide” in Science

Explore fun ways to combat summer learning loss with science activities and challenges, using hands-on projects and online resources.

SELECT YOUR REGION

Asia pacific & africa.

What is Genially?

Genially is a cloud-based platform for building interactive learning and communication experiences.

Product Overview

Explore Genially's authoring and content creation features.

What's New

Discover our latest product updates and releases.

Discover how teams use Genially for eLearning, Marketing, and Communications.

K12 Schools

Explore how teachers use Genially to bring interactive learning to the classroom.

Higher Education

Discover how Learning Design teams and Faculty use Genially to build interactive courses.

Contact Sales

START CREATING

Build interactive images

Discover how to make interactive visuals and graphics.

Create interactive slides

Engage your audience with interactive slides and presentations.

Make interactive infographics

Learn how to design interactive data visualizations and diagrams.

More formats

From resumes to reports, make any kind of content interactive.

eLearning templates

Interactive resources for eLearning and corporate training courses. 

K12 teaching templates

Interactive classroom resources for primary and secondary education.

Gamification templates

Escape games, quizzes, and other game-based learning activities.

Marketing templates

Interactive microsites, brochures, videos, and branding materials.

Explore all Genially templates

Browse over 1,500 pre-built designs. Save time and create professional interactive materials in minutes.

Explore Genially pricing and plans.

Plans for Teachers

Create interactive learning materials and use Genially in class with your students.

Free online classroom games

Make a fun digital board game for your students with these free online classroom games. Each template includes interactive, animated slides that are easy to customize for any class.

Gamification

All gamification

Escape rooms

Gamification for business

Video games

Board games

What's behind game

Match famous figures

Would you rather game

Meet the team game mobile

Language learning game mobile

Character clue game mobile

Historical facts game

Soft skills development game mobile

Find the character

Language learning game

Character clue game

Body parts game

Cognitive stimulation game iii

Cognitive stimulation game iv

Cognitive stimulation game ii

Cognitive stimulation game

Olympics board game

Sex education game

Tangram game

Fill in the blanks game

Put the words in order

Timeline game

Find the pairs

Guess who game

Secret clue game

Where is it? game

Memory game

Tic tac toe game

Double animal game

Jeopardy game

Word search

Hangman game

Connect four game

Correct concepts

Guess the song

Animal race

Clues deduction game

Children's board game

Snakes and ladders

Sequence maze

Put in Order Flashcard

Online classroom games by Genially

Energize your students and make learning fun with Genially’s free classroom games. With beautifully interactive and easy-to-edit designs, anyone can make online board games, educational classroom games, and fun e-learning video games in a snap. No matter whether you’re teaching preschoolers or a raucous group of teenagers, the fun designs make it easy to get your audience engaged in learning.

All of our online games are ready-to-play, so you don’t need any design or technical skills. Each game presentation template is pre-built by professional designers, complete with animated graphics, cool sound effects, lively music, and interactive buttons. Customizing the design is easy: just like making presentation slides .

Unlike PowerPoint games, Genially game presentation slides are interactive. They contain clickable buttons, pop-ups, hidden clues, sound effects, and secret messages that will captivate students and help them forget they’re actually at school. For both young children and older learners, it's a fully immersive experience. And every bit as engaging as the mobile games they play outside class.

As well as interactive buttons, Genially classroom game templates include animated graphics. Visual effects include flashing colors, moving images, and designs that light up and whizz across the screen. The result? Kids are gripped and feel like they’re playing an educational video game.

For teachers, this has multiple benefits. It’s easier to get students' attention and energize the room when focus is flagging. On top of that, presentation games drum up enthusiasm and interest in the subject matter.

What are some examples of educational games for students?

There are countless ways to incorporate game-based learning in your lessons. One option is to start with a standard game board and adapt the theme to your curriculum. Try using a flip card game, Who am I game, blank board game template, or memory game template. Customize with real-world images, examples, maps, and topical materials for history, science, math, or any other subject.

For something familiar and accessible, use a classic card game template or online board game format. The Genially template gallery includes a range of editable board game templates. Examples include snakes and ladders, monopoly, and jeopardy game templates. When you need to generate a bit of excitement in the classroom, try a spin-the-wheel or roulette game template. 

How do I make an interactive game?

If you’re a busy teacher you probably need a quick and easy game that you can put together between classes. The simplest option for creating a game is to use one of our free classroom game templates. Every design on this page has been designed especially for teachers. They’re easy to customize and free to use.

When you’ve chosen a game, click Use template . If it’s your first time using Genially, you’ll be asked to quickly create a free account.

Next up, customize the game with your own material. Add your own questions and answers, and replace the sample images with photos or illustrations from Genially’s bank of resources. With the intuitive editing tools, the template is as easy to customize as Google Slides or a standard PowerPoint game.

Ready to go live? Just click Publish and, hey presto, your game is online. Want to play with the entire class? Present live from the front of the room, or share your screen if you’re teaching online.

Another option is to share the link directly with students, and let them play individually or in groups. If you use an LMS, upload the games alongside your other learning materials. Want to make a game in Google Classroom? Just post the link to the Genially game directly inside your assignments. 

Templates for everything under the sun ☀️

Sign up to explore 2000+ interactive, animated designs in the Genially Template Gallery.

15 Fun Virtual Classroom Games And Activities

One of the challenges that teachers often face is preparing fun and engaging games and activities for their students. With more and more schools transitioning to virtual classrooms, coming up with game ideas has become much more difficult.

The traditional classroom games that teachers are used to playing in class may not be possible while teaching online in a virtual classroom. So, we have put together a list of virtual classroom games and activities to help you out.

All of these games and activities can be played while teaching students online in a virtual classroom, and any materials we mention below can be downloaded and used in your virtual classrooms for free.

Virtual Classroom Games

1. quiz games.

Quiz games are a perfect activity for virtual classrooms. All students need is a pen and paper to write down their answers. There are many types of quizzes, but one quiz game that kids and teenagers really enjoy is the ‘top five’ quiz. In a ‘Top 5’ quiz, each question has multiple possible answers. For example, ‘Name a zoo animal.’. Then, students must write down one answer. Next, ask the students to show their answers using their webcam to the other students in the virtual classroom.

Once everyone has shown their answer, the teacher can reveal the ‘Top Five’ answers. If a student’s answer is the same as one of the ‘top five’ answers, then they get points. If they have an answer which is not in the top five, then they don’t get any points. Students really enjoy this game, especially when they get the number 1 answer. You can download an example quiz, and an editable quiz template to add your own questions, here .

2. Liar Game

This next virtual classroom game is great as an ice breaker and/or for getting to know your students. To play, first, choose a question to ask all the students. For example, if you’re meeting the students after the long summer break, you might ask them “ What did you do during the summer vacation? “

3. Word Association Games

Word association games can be easily played in a virtual classroom and they require little to no preparation. If you’re not familiar with word association games, they are simple games in which the teacher would choose a word and then ask students to say the first related word that comes to mind.

4. Describe And Draw

First, the teacher should find something they want the students to draw and place it off-screen where students cannot see it. Next, the teacher should start describing the object and the students should listen and draw what they think the object looks like.

5. Online Activity Videos

In your virtual classroom, if you are able to share your screen, then our collection of activity videos can be used when you want a fun, no-prep, ready-to-use game. On our activity videos page , we have over 70 ready-to-use games on many different topics. All are free and be shown in your virtual classroom from this website or from our YouTube channel.

6. Scavenger Hunt

This activity is a fantastic game to play while teaching online, especially with kids. And the best thing about it is it needs no preparation. To play, simply think of a kind of object that students likely have in their house/room. Then, students should run off and find that object and then return and share what they found with the class. For example, you might ask students to find something blue, or a toy, or find something that is a certain shape, etc. The things students come up with can be really surprising and funny making this activity great for teaching kids online.

7. Guess Who It Is

8. would you rather, 9. mystery box game.

This next activity is a fun PowerPoint game that you can easily play online with students. For this game, you’ll need our Mystery Box PowerPoint Game Template . Simply add your own questions and/or pictures to the template before the lesson. To play this game, divide the students into two teams. The teams will take turns answering a question. After answering the question, students can then choose to keep the box or give the box to the other team. Inside the box is good points (e.g +1000) or bad points (-1000). Although this game takes a little preparation, it is worth it as students really love this activity.

10. Simon Says

11. the chain game, 12. the telepathy game.

To play this game, you’ll need to download our Telepathy Game PowerPoint Template or make your own. The idea of the game is simple. You ask students a question and give them two possible answers. Only one of them is the answer that the teacher chose. So, students must use ‘telepathy’ to read the teacher’s mind and guess the answer. If they guess correctly, they get a point. Students basically have a 50/50 chance to guess the answer. Although this game is so simple, kids really love it and love pretending that they have the power to read minds.

13. Make A Story Game

14. word detective, 15. blooket.

Blooket is a fantastic platform for online learning that allows teachers to create and host quizzes and games. After creating a quiz, teachers can share the game with students so they can complete it online on their own devices. Check out this helpful guide on How To Use Blooket for more details.

16. Let’s Dance Game

Table of Contents

Free Interactive Family Feud Game Template

Free interactive who wants to be a millionaire, free wheel of fortune template, free hangman game template , free interactive toy claw machine template, the price is right template, free pokémon cards game template, free animated whos that pokémon template, free interactive 2 truths and a lie game template, free interactive wordle game template, free guess the body part – interactive powerpoint games templates, free card game template, free jeopardy presentation template.

Home / List Articles / Top Free PowerPoint Games Templates for a fun Presentation

Top Free PowerPoint Games Templates for a fun Presentation

Have you heard about “Death by PowerPoint” ? Death by PowerPoint is caused by poor use of presentation software. Key contributors include confusing graphics, text-heavy slides, etc.

Today there are almost 300 million Power Point users; they do 30 million presentations daily, out of which 50 % of presentation fails.

So how to craft a presentation that doesn’t bore the audience to death? How do I make my PowerPoint fun?

It’s simple just to play fun activity PowerPoint games. Playing games, our brain releases the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine, which keeps us active and engaged. Playing PowerPoint games during a presentation can be a fun and engaging way to keep the audience entertained and involved. Breaking the monotony of lecture-style presentation. These Microsoft PowerPoint presentation games are a great way to keep your audience entertained.

Free Interactive PowerPoint Games templates for Fun in Presentation

Fun PowerPoint games keep the audience focused, entertained, and learning. Finding fun-interactive game templates can be a daunting task. To help you out with a nerve-wracking task, in this article, we have listed the best PowerPoint games to play in your presentation. Choose the presentation best creative game template that you like and boost the presentation engagement.

Are you a fan of the Family Feud game? Then try using this free PowerPoint interactive Family Feud game template and create your own personalized version of the popular gameshow Family Feud. We creatively designed to create a template that resembles the game set, the show’s iconic logo, colors, fonts, etc.

What would you do if you won million dollars? I guarantee till now; you would have started dreaming. American popular tv show who wants to be a millionaire can turn your dream of winning millions of dollars into reality. Now test the knowledge of your audience with this free interactive Who Wants to be a Millionaire-inspired template. Teachers can use this template as a game-based learning tool in the classroom. It’s an amazing memory game template using which you can test your students’ knowledge.

Here’s another game template, the free Wheel of Fortune game template, best for audience engagement. In this, your audience needs to click the arrow to spin the wheel in order to win the prize. In this surprise wheel game, would you rather win a huge prize or would lose it a luck game.

This Hangman PPT games template let’s you test your vocabulary. If you’re looking to make study a lot of fun. We’ve got you a free Hangman quiz game template. In this game template for each false answer, the hangman ropes get tight and for the correct answer the rope releases. So give the correct answer to make the hangman live.

Presentation isn’t just about text-heavy slides and lectures. Sometimes presentations are too entertaining when presenters use super-creative slides like free interactive Toy claw machine templates. Play a luck game with your team using this toy claw machine slide and reward them when they win.

The price is right is an amazing game you can play with your  team  to make a presentation super-entertaining. This game template is based on the popular tv show, “The Prize is Right,” where contestants guess the price of the merchandise to win cash prizes.

Want to have a fun time with friends and colleagues? Then try playing cool Pokémon battles in real life with this free Pokémon cards game template. It includes picture of Pokemon

Are you a true Pokémon master? Then try another fun game template based on the Pokemon theme. Test your Pokémon knowledge by guessing the Pokémon with this free animated Whos that Pokémon template. It’s an animated template with the voice of real Pokémon. It’s a quiz template that you can choose to test your knowledge of the Pokemon show.

The best way to make a presentation entertaining is the engage with your audience. And best way to do this is by allowing them to know more about you. When your audience knows you, it builds a connection, and the audience will be keen to know your ideas. This free interactive Two Truths and a Lie Game PowerPoint template is the perfect game to play with the audience. It displays three options that your audience can select which applies to you.

Turn your next presentation or game night into a Monopoly-style adventure! Our free, customizable template brings the classic board game to PowerPoint and Google Slides. Perfect for educators, businesses, and anyone looking to add a touch of fun and competition.

Interested in playing word games? Then why not show your vocabulary skills and test audience knowledge and memory with this free interactive Wordle game template? Download this word puzzle game is fantastic if you want your audience to be active and engaged throughout the presentation. This game template looks amazing for each correct answer the words gets green.

Turn human anatomy into a thrilling game show with our Guess the Body Part – PowerPoint Games template ! Designed to make learning fun and engaging, this quiz is perfect for classrooms, homeschoolers, and families. Transform biology lessons from dull to dynamic with this interactive tool.

Card games are interesting; they can let you win. Let your audience try their luck with this free card game template. It’s a great game template that comes with twelve amazing gameplay buttons. This gameplay PowerPoint Presentation Games template is entirely customizable; you can easily shuffle the cards and add gifs and surprises. Choose this free card template and give your presentation a different look.

There’s nothing better than playing a game in your presentation to know your audience and build a bond. So, to make your presentation fun, we have a free Jeopardy presentation template based on the greatest American television show, Jeopardy! The player can test their luck using this free game template. Go through slides, customize them, and you’ll be ready to play with your audience.

Presentation with interactive games can make business meetings & teaching any subject more fun, especially if you reward the winners. When the audience starts enjoying the presentation, they will likely be attentive to everything you are saying. The upshot of all the above top fun PowerPoint games templates is guaranteed to make your next presentation super-entertaining.

About The Author

Priyanshu Bharat

Priyanshu is a copywriter who loves to tune into what makes people tick. He believes in presenting his ideas with flair and wit, which has made him an expert at standing on stage and charming the pants off of any audience he's faced with. Priyanshu lives for learning as much as he can, so if you ever need help understanding something - just ask!

Blog Categories

Business Management

PowerPoint Presentation

Google Slides

Latest Templates

AMD – Corporate Pitch Deck PowerPoint Template and Google Slides

Candy Background – Free PowerPoint and Google Slides

Christopher Nolan – PowerPoint Template and Google Slides

SEO Report Template – Free PowerPoint and Google Slides

Related blogs.

Best Free Editable Timeline Templates for PowerPoint and Google Slides

How to Cite Images in PowerPoint

Top 10 Websites to Find Free Action Plan Excel Templates

Please rate this tutorial:

Do you think you will use QuizZoodle?

Stay in touch:

CAPTURE YOUR AUDIENCE

Add interactive quizzes to your presentation!

Creating a quiz just takes a few minutes. Use the links to edit, delete, or start a quiz session. The audience can join the session by flashing the QRCode. You get instant feedback and interaction.

Interactive

Once a session starts, the audience has 30s to answer (that delay is customizable). Then you can show the results and directly interact with them.

QuizZoodle requires no registration. If you would like to, you can provide an email address to receive reports and analytics.

QuizZoodle is for any professional who needs to interact with an audience: researcher, teacher, salesperson... It is also useful for individuals, for weddings, parties...

People interact through their own connected devices (smartphone, computer, laptop...)

When a session starts, a QRCode and a session code are displayed. The audience can connect at any time using those codes, which remain on screen during the whole presentation.

When you reach a slide that has a question or survey, a countdown shows up, and the audience is prompted to answer with their devices.

When either the countdown is over, or everybody has replied, the results are shown as graphical diagrams.

Research presentation

Training, school

Medical presentation

Commercial and business presentation

Work sessions report

Wedding, bachelorette party, birthday...

LATEST NEWS

Planned for 2016.

• > add presentation mode for dual screen
• > add powerpoint plugin

Add support for up to 8 answers

February 2015.

You can now define quizzes and surveys with up to 8 answers in your pdf presentations.

Add pdf support, minor fixes

Septembre 2014.

Create your quiz from your own presentation. By using tags, you can include QuizZoodle into your presentation (powerpoint, Keynote, LaTeX...).

TESTIMONIALS

I'm an Associate Professor at LaBRI/ENSEIRB-MATMECA (Bordeaux INP) since 2006. I teach courses in the computer sciences department. I'm the founder of QuizZoodle and I use it all the time for my presentations. Let me know what you think about QuizZoodle, and of course, spread the word around you!

Julien Allali.

I'm an agile coach. In my job I need engagement from working teams or trainees audience. QuizZoodle is an easy tool to interact so I can get live feedback. It's also an effective way to let the participants play with the knowledge we share.

Irène Doan.

I'm a mathematics teacher at ESIA. QuizZoodle breaks the rhythm of my classes: 5 minutes, 10 questions! Take your smartphones and go! On each session, an email gives me the results and student scores. QuizZoodle works easily with my Beamer presentation, try it and adopt!

Alexandre Berard.

QuizZoodle is a dynamic product, regularly updated with new features. We believe in the lean startup model. Feel free to suggest new features!

If you find a bug, need assistance, or want to ask for a feature: [email protected]

For other subjects: [email protected] -- QuizZoodle is hosted by ENIX

© QuizZoodle | 2013 - 2016

• Teaching Tips

20 Interactive Classroom Activities for College Students [Plus: Free List of 45+ Activities]

Planning to use interactive classroom activities intentionally can really transform the learning dynamic. Here are 20 activities to get you started.

Top Hat Staff

How interactive are your classroom activities? Do you have less energy for class than you used to? Do you find student grades declining? And are the teaching methods you’ve always relied on not working as well as they once did? We spoke to two college instructors, Chris Merlo and Monika Semma. Their strategies for interactive classroom activities will energize your class and get the discussion moving again.

Table of contents

• Why are interactive activities important in college?

6 community-building activities

5 communication activities for college students, 3 motivational activities for college students.

• 6 team-building activities for college students

Interactive classroom activities, in short

Why are interactive classroom activities important.

Merlo, a computer science teacher, says that interactive classroom activities are not new to students, and one main reason why teachers have trouble connecting is that they fail to adapt to their students’ perspectives.

“My six-year-old son doesn’t find iPads amazing; to him, they’ve always just existed. Similarly, to a lot of students today, experiences like team exercises and flipped classrooms, while foreign to many instructors are not new.

“If we care about reaching today’s students, who seem to have a different idea of student responsibilities than we had, perhaps we have to reach them on their terms.

“In my thirties, I could still find a lot of similarities with my twenty-something students. But now, in my forties? Not so much. What I’ve started to realize is that it isn’t just the little things, like whether they’ve seen Ghostbusters. (They haven’t.) It’s the big things, like how they learn.”

Semma, a humanities TA, found that the chalk-and-talk approach failed on her first day in front of a class. “It was a lot like parallel parking in front of 20 people,” she said. “I looked more like a classmate. I dropped the eraser on my face whilst trying to write my name on the board. One of my students called me ‘mom.’”

“I chalked it up to first day jitters, but that same quietness crept its way back into my classroom for the next tutorial, and the next tutorial and the next. While nearly silent in class, my students were rather vocal in the endless stream of emails that flooded my inbox. That way I knew they wanted to learn. I also knew that I had to find a way to make tutorials more engaging.”

From these experiences, Merlo and Semma now share some interactive classroom activities for students and for teachers that can turn a quiet classroom full of people unwilling to speak up to a hive of debate, making the student learning experience more collaborative for everyone.

Energize your college classroom and get discussions flowing. Download The Best Classroom Activities for College Courses to engage and motivate students.

1. Open-ended questions

Chris Merlo: Open-ended questions don’t take any planning. All they take is a class with at least one student who isn’t too shy. I remember a class a few semesters ago that started with nine students. Due to a couple of medical conditions and a job opportunity, three of the students had to drop the semester. The problem was that these three students were the ones I counted on to ask questions and keep the class lively! Once I was left with six introverted people, conversations during class seemed to stop.

By luck, I stumbled on something that got the students talking again. I said, “What has been the most difficult thing about [the project that was due soon]?” This opened the floodgates—students love to complain, especially about us and our demands. This one simple question led to twenty minutes of discussion involving all six students. I wasn’t even sure what a couple of these students’ voices sounded like, but once I gave them an open-ended opportunity to complain about an assignment, they were off to the races. A truly successful classroom activity.

2. What’s wrong with this example?

Chris Merlo: Students also love to find a professor’s mistakes—like me, I’m sure you’ve found this out the hard way. When I teach computer science, I will make up a program that, for instance, performs the wrong arithmetic, and have students find the bug. In a particularly quiet or disengaged class, you can incentivize students with five points on the next exam, or something similar.

If you teach history, you might use flawed examples that change a key person’s name, such as “King Henry VIII (instead of King John) signed the Magna Carta in 1215,” or match a person to an incorrect event: “Gavrilo Princip is considered to have fired the first shot in the Spanish Civil War (instead of World War I).” Beam these examples on the whiteboard, and let the students’ competitiveness drive them to get the right answer before their classmates.

3. Let students critique each other

Chris Merlo: This can go badly if you don’t set some ground rules for civility, but done well, classroom activities like this really help open up collaborative learning. One of my colleagues devised a great exercise: First, give students about half of their class time to write instructions that an imaginary robot can understand to draw a recognizable picture, like a corporate logo, without telling students what will happen later. Then assign each student’s instructions to a randomly chosen classmate, and have the classmate pretend to be the robot, attempting to follow the instructions and draw the same logo.

After a few minutes, introduce a specific student who can share their results with the class, then ask their partner to share the initial instructions. This method gives students a chance to communicate with each other (“That’s not what I meant!”) and laugh and bond, while learning an important lesson.

This exercise teaches computer science students the difficulty and importance of writing clear instructions. I have seen this exercise not only teach pairs of such students meaningful lessons but encourage friendships that extended beyond my classroom.

Get students participating with these 45 classroom activities

4. Pass the “mic”

Monika Semma: As an instructor, it’s amazing how much information you can gather from a student-centered review session. Specifically, if you leave the review in the hands of your students, you can get an easy and thorough assessment of what is being absorbed, and what is being left by the wayside. The more you encourage participation, the more you’ll see where your class is struggling and the more comfortable students will become with course material. Here’s how to transform a standard review into one of your more popular classroom activities:

• A week before the review, ask students to email you two to five key terms or theories that they feel they need to brush up on. Take all that data and compress it until you have a solid working list of what students want to review most.
• In class, provide students with visual access to the list (I found writing all the terms on a chalkboard to be most effective). Instruct the class to have their notes out in front of them, with a pad of paper or blank Word document at their fingertips, and encourage them to take notes as the review is in progress.
• A trinket of sorts (I highly recommend a plush ball), used as a “microphone,” helps to give students equal opportunity to direct the review without putting individuals on the spot too aggressively. The rules are simple: she or he who holds the “mic” can pick one term from the list and using their notes, can offer up what they already know about the term or concept, what they are unsure of, or what they need more elaboration on.
• Actively listen to the speaker and give them some positive cues if they seem unsure; it’s okay to help them along the way, but important to step back and let this review remain student-centered. Once the speaker has said their piece, open the floor to the rest of the class for questions or additional comments. If you find that the discussion has taken a departure from the right direction, re-center the class and provide further elaboration if need be.
• Erase each term discussed from the list as you go, and have the speaker pass (or throw) on the “mic” to a fellow classmate, and keep tossing the ball around after each concept/term is discussed.

Students will have a tendency to pick the terms that they are most comfortable speaking about and those left consistently untouched will give you a clear assessment of the subjects in which your class is struggling, and where comprehension is lacking. Once your class has narrowed down the list to just a few terms, you can switch gears into a more classic review session. Bringing a bit of interaction and fun into a review can help loosen things up during exam time, when students and teachers alike are really starting to feel the pressure.

5. Use YouTube for classroom activities

Monika Semma: Do you remember the pure and utter joy you felt upon seeing your professor wheel in the giant VHS machine into class? Technology has certainly changed—but the awesome powers of visual media have not. Making your students smile can be a difficult task, but by channeling your inner Bill Nye the Science Guy you can make university learning fun again.

A large part of meaningful learning is finding interactive classroom activities that are relevant to daily life—and I can think of no technology more relevant to current students than YouTube.

A crafty YouTube search can yield a video relevant to almost anything in your curriculum and paired with an essay or academic journal, a slightly silly video can go a long way in helping your students contextualize what they are learning.

Even if your comedic attempts plunge into failure, at the very least, a short clip will get the class discussion ball rolling. Watch the video as a class and then break up into smaller groups to discuss it. Get your students thinking about how the clip they are shown pairs with the primary sources they’ve already read.

6. Close reading

Monika Semma: In the humanities, we all know the benefits of close reading activities—they get classroom discussion rolling and students engaging with the material and open up the floor for social and combination learners to shine. “Close reading” is a learning technique in which students are asked to conduct a detailed analysis or interpretation of a small piece of text. It is particularly effective in getting students to move away from the general and engage more with specific details or ideas.

If you’re introducing new and complex material to your class, or if you feel as though your students are struggling with an equation, theory, or concept; giving them the opportunity to break it down into smaller and more concrete parts for further evaluation will help to enhance their understanding of the material as a whole.

And while this technique is often employed in the humanities, classroom activities like this can be easily transferred to any discipline. A physics student will benefit from having an opportunity to break down a complicated equation in the same way that a biology student can better understand a cell by looking at it through a microscope.

In any case, evaluating what kinds of textbooks, lesson plans and pedagogy we are asking our students to connect with is always a good idea.

Brainwriting

Group size: 10 students (minimum)

Course type: Online (synchronous), in-person

This activity helps build rapport and respect in your classroom. After you tackle a complex lecture topic, give students time to individually reflect on their learnings. This can be accomplished through guided prompts or left as an open-ended exercise. Once students have gathered their thoughts, encourage them to share their views either through an online discussion thread or a conversation with peers during class time.

Concept mapping

Collaborative concept mapping is the process of visually organizing concepts and ideas and understanding how they relate to each other. This exercise is a great way for students to look outside of their individual experiences and perspectives. Groups can use this tactic to review previous work or to help them map ideas for projects and assignments. For in-person classes, you can ask students to cover classroom walls with sticky notes and chart paper. For online classes, there are many online tools that make it simple to map out connections between ideas, like Google Docs or the digital whiteboard feature in Zoom.

Group size: Groups of 5–10 students 

Propose a topic or issue to your class. Group students together (or in breakout rooms if you’re teaching remotely) according to the position they take on the specific issue. Ask the groups of students to come up with a few arguments or examples to support their position. Write each group’s statements on the virtual whiteboard and use these as a starting point for discussion. A natural next step is to debate the strengths and weaknesses of each argument, to help students improve their critical thinking and analysis skills. 

Make learning active with these 45 interactive classroom activities

Compare and contrast

Group size: Groups of 5–10 students

Ask your students to focus on a specific chapter in your textbook. Then, place them in groups and ask them to make connections and identify differences between ideas that can be found in course readings and other articles and videos they may find. This way, they can compare their ideas in small groups and learn from one another’s perspectives. In online real-time classes, instructors can use Zoom breakout rooms to put students in small groups.

Assess/diagnose/act

This activity will improve students’ problem-solving skills and can help engage them in more dynamic discussions. Start by proposing a topic or controversial statement. Then follow these steps to get conversations going. In online classes, students can either raise their hands virtually or use an online discussion forum to engage with their peers. 

• Assessment: What is the issue or problem at hand?
• Diagnosis: What is the root cause of this issue or problem?
• Action: How can we solve the issue?

Moral dilemmas

Group size: Groups of 3–7 students 

Provide students with a moral or ethical dilemma, using a hypothetical situation or a real-world situation. Then ask them to explore potential solutions as a group. This activity encourages students to think outside the box to develop creative solutions to the problem. In online learning environments, students can use discussion threads or Zoom breakout rooms.

Conversation stations

Group size: Groups of 4–6 students 

Course type: In-person

This activity exposes students’ ideas in a controlled way, prompting discussions that flow naturally. To start, share a list of discussion questions pertaining to a course reading, video or case study. Put students into groups and give them five-to-ten minutes to discuss, then have two students rotate to another group. The students who have just joined a group have an opportunity to share findings from their last discussion, before answering the second question with their new group. After another five-to-ten minutes, the students who haven’t rotated yet will join a new group.

This or that

Course type: Online (synchronous or asynchronous), in-person

This activity allows students to see where their peers stand on a variety of different topics and issues. Instructors should distribute a list of provocative statements before class, allowing students to read ahead. Then, they can ask students to indicate whether they agree, disagree or are neutral on the topic in advance, using an online discussion thread or Google Doc. In class, use another discussion thread or live chat to have students of differing opinions share their views. After a few minutes, encourage one or two members in each group to defend their position amongst a new group of students. Ask students to repeat this process for several rounds to help familiarize themselves with a variety of standpoints.

6 team-building classroom activities for college students

Snowball discussions  .

Group size: 2–4 students per group

Assign students a case study or worksheet to discuss with a partner, then have them share their thoughts with the larger group. Use breakout rooms in Zoom and randomly assign students in pairs with a discussion question. After a few minutes, combine rooms to form groups of four. After another five minutes, combine groups of four to become a larger group of eight—and so on until the whole class is back together again.

Make it personal

Group size: Groups of 2–8 students

After you’ve covered a topic or concept in your lecture, divide students into small discussion groups (or breakout rooms online). Ask the groups questions like “How did this impact your prior knowledge of the topic?” or “What was your initial reaction to this source/article/fact?” to encourage students to reflect on their personal connections to the course concepts they are learning.

Philosophical chairs

Group size: 20–25 students (maximum)

A statement that has two possible responses—agree or disagree—is read out loud. Depending on whether they agree or disagree with this statement, students move to one side of the room or the other. After everyone has chosen a side, ask one or two students on each side to take turns defending their positions. This allows students to visualize where their peers’ opinions come from, relative to their own.

Get more interactive classroom activities here

Affinity mapping

Group size: Groups of 3–8 students 

Course type: Online (synchronous)

Place students in small groups (or virtual breakout rooms) and pose a broad question or problem to them that is likely to result in lots of different ideas, such as “What was the greatest innovation of the 21st century?” or “How would society be different if  _____ never occurred?” Ask students to generate responses by writing ideas on pieces of paper (one idea per page) or in a discussion thread (if you’re teaching online). Once lots of ideas have been generated, have students begin grouping their ideas into similar categories, then label the categories and discuss why the ideas fit within them, how the categories relate to one another and so on. This allows students to engage in higher-level thinking by analyzing ideas and organizing them in relation to one another. 

Socratic seminar

Group size: 20 students (minimum)

Ask students to prepare for a discussion by reviewing a course reading or group of texts and coming up with a few higher-order discussion questions about the text. In class, pose an introductory, open-ended question. From there, students continue the conversation, prompting one another to support their claims with evidence from previous course concepts or texts. There doesn’t need to be a particular order to how students speak, but they are encouraged to respectfully share the floor with their peers.

Concentric circles

Group size: 20 students (maximum)

Students form two circles: an inner circle and an outer circle. Each student on the inside is paired with a student on the outside; they face each other. Pose a question to the whole group and have pairs discuss their responses with each other. After three-to-five minutes, have students on the outside circle move one space to the right so they are standing in front of a new person. Pose a new question, and the process is repeated, exposing students to the different perspectives of their peers.

Making your classes more interactive should help your students want to come to class and take part in it. Giving them a more active role will give them a sense of ownership, and this can lead to students taking more pride in their work and responsibility for their grades.

Use these 45 classroom activities in your course to keep students engaged

A more interactive class can also make things easier for you—the more work students do in class, the less you have to do. Even two minutes of not talking can re-energize you for the rest of the class.

Plus, these six methods outlined above don’t require any large-scale changes to your class prep. Set up a couple of activities in advance here and there, to support what you’ve been doing, and plan which portion of your class will feature them.

The reality remains that sometimes, students do have to be taught subject matter that is anything but exciting. That doesn’t mean that we can’t make it more enjoyable to teach or learn. It may not be possible to incorporate classroom activities into every lecture, but finding some room for these approaches can go a long way in facilitating a positive learning environment.

And let’s not forget, sometimes even an educator needs a brief departure from the everyday-ordinary-sit-and-listen-to-me-lecture regimen.

Recommended Readings

The Ultimate Guide to Metacognition for Post-Secondary Courses

25 Effective Instructional Strategies For Educators

Subscribe to the top hat blog.

Join more than 10,000 educators. Get articles with higher ed trends, teaching tips and expert advice delivered straight to your inbox.

                                      LIVE 1-HOUR CLASSES AVAILABLE 

Categories:

• Storytelling

A Simple Interactive Game To Use In Your Next Presentation

Interactive presentations are superior to the static ones.

You know that too. One-way presentations, where you are the only one talking are exhausting and boring for you and your audience. I hate them…

That’s why I am always on the lookout for good interactive presentation games to incorporate into my talks. I learn these games and interactivity devices, I try them, and then I share the results with you, and hopefully, you try them as well.

The interactivity in your presentation depends on all the interactive games and devices you string throughout the talk. The more tools you know and implement, the more interactive your presentation will be. You can’t just rely on one device; you have to keep adding more to your toolbox.

The more tools you implement, the more interactive your presentation

In this blog article, you will learn a simple interactive game you can use in your next presentation.

Here is the Formula for My Favorite Presentation Game:

Question > Tease > Reveal > Discussion

Question: Before you reveal a statistic or a fact to your audience, ask them to see if they know it and have them guess the correct answer.

For example: – Instead of saying “the attention of span of a human being is 8 seconds.”

Ask your audience “what do you think the attention span of a person is in 2015?”

– Instead of saying “the number one reason employees leave a job is because of a manager.”

Ask your audience “what do you think is the number one reason employees leave their jobs?”

Tease Don’t accept the first answer they give you even if it’s the correct one. Tease them for more responses and comment on the answers they give you.

The commenting can be as simple as saying “that’s close,” or you can also use funny remarks to keep your audience engaged in a lighthearted and fun atmosphere.

I experimented with the optimal number for teasing, and I found (from my experience) that three times is best. I noticed that the first 3 teases raise the energy of the room and after that, it starts to drop. I would suggest you do your test and see how that works for you.

You can point to people and put them on the spot and ask them what they think or to make a guess. Once you have some answers, you can reveal the real answer.

Reveal Finally, after you hear from a few of them, you can go ahead and tell the answer. Note that this could be a response that they shouted out already. That’s fine, just tell those people that they were right or close.

Discussion Usually, the game is played to get people engaged and enrolled in the conversation. Once you achieve that, then you can go ahead and make your points.

Game in action:

Question: Me: what do you think the attention span of a human being is in 2015? (asking the group)

Tease: Me: Mark, what do you think? (I single out Mark if no one shouts an answer) Mark: 3 seconds Me: Ok higher Me: Jennifer, what do you think? Jennifer: 7 seconds Me: we are getting close, last one, Mike what do you think? Mike: 10 seconds

Reveal Me: Close, it’s 8 seconds. It’s less than the attention span of a Goldfish !

Discussion There are two reasons to why I am sharing this piece of information with you about attention spans. The first is that I want you to add more engagement devices to your presentations so that you can keep grabbing the attention of your audience.

Second, when you see an audience member’s eyes glaze over, don’t take it personally. They will tend to check out briefly every 8 seconds, and it’s usually not because of your presentation. Your job is to keep bringing them back to you 🙂

The interactivity in your presentation depends on you applying multiple games and formulas like this one. The more tools you know and implement, the more interactive your presentation will be. I hope this tool will make your list.

Let me know what you think in the comments below . If you have one or few interactive games you would like to share, please share it – I would love to hear from you.

Related article:

9 Ways To Turn a Boring Topic Into An Engaging Presentation

How To Copy The Public Speaking Masters

Take a Presentation From Good To Great By Setting Boundaries

Three things that erode your speaking confidence.

How to Run a Project Kickoff Meeting Successfully

90 Fun Kids Trivia Questions and Answers (+ Step-by-Step Guide on How to Make It Interactive and a Downloadable File!)

Ausbert Generoso

Looking for a fun way to challenge young minds? Kids trivia is the perfect blend of learning and entertainment, offering children a chance to test their knowledge across a variety of topics. Whether you’re planning a family game night or need some engaging questions for the classroom, this collection of trivia is sure to spark curiosity and encourage learning in a playful way.

From simple questions that get the ball rolling to more challenging ones that make them think, these kids trivia questions are designed to suit different age groups and difficulty levels.

How to Run a Kids Trivia Game in PowerPoint with ClassPoint

Getting started with classpoint.

• Download and install ClassPoint by signing up for free .
• After installation, the Inknoe ClassPoint tab will appear on your PowerPoint ribbon.

• Log in using the credentials you created during sign-up.

800,000+ educators and professionals use ClassPoint to boost engagement right inside PowerPoint.

Setting Up Your Question Slides

• Prepare your question slides using the provided list of kids’ trivia questions and answers.

• For a kids’ trivia game, use multiple-choice-type questions . Insert a Multiple Choice ClassPoint button from your PowerPoint ribbon.

• After inserting the button, set up the question settings in the side panel, where you can specify the number of choices and correct answers.

Running the Kids Trivia MCQs in Slide Show

• Invite your participants to join the session by visiting  classpoint.app  using the class code displayed in the top-right corner of your screen.
• Once participants have joined, click on the Multiple Choice quiz button you inserted earlier to start the quiz.
• After receiving the responses, close submissions and reveal the correct answer. Award stars to those who answered correctly, based on the difficulty level of the question.

Bonus: Automate Your Kids Trivia MCQs with Quiz Mode (Pro Feature)

• With ClassPoint Pro , you can automate your MCQ quiz questions using Quiz Mode . Simply tick the checkbox for ‘Quiz Mode’ on in the side panel question settings while setting up your slides.
• Assign difficulty levels, with each level corresponding to a specific number of stars.

• Run the quiz in slide show mode, and stars will be automatically awarded based on the difficulty level you’ve set.
• Once the quiz is finished, access a quiz summary and/or download an exportable Excel report to track how students performed.

Play this Kids Trivia game in PowerPoint with 10x more interactivity when you download ClassPoint for free.

Kids Trivia Questions and Answers Across 3 Difficulty Levels

Playable Kids Trivia PowerPoint Game

Grab your free PowerPoint file, fully equipped with interactive features for a gamified quiz experience.

Easy Kids Trivia Questions and Answers

• What is the color of the sky on a clear day? a) Red b) Green c)  Blue d) Yellow
• How many days are there in a week? a) 5 b) 6 c)  7 d) 8
• Which animal is known as the king of the jungle? a) Elephant b)  Lion c) Tiger d) Bear
• What is 2 + 2? a) 3 b) 5 c) 1 d)  4
• Which planet is closest to the sun? a) Mars b) Earth c)  Mercury d) Venus
• What do bees make? a) Butter b) Cheese c)  Honey d) Bread
• What is the largest mammal in the world? a) Elephant b) Giraffe c)  Blue Whale d) Hippopotamus
• How many continents are there? a) 5 b) 6 c)  7 d) 8
• What is the capital of France? a) Rome b) London c)  Paris d) Madrid
• Which shape has three sides? a) Square b) Rectangle c) Circle d)  Triangle
• What is the name of Mickey Mouse’s girlfriend? a) Daisy b)  Minnie c) Belle d) Snow White
• What is the main ingredient in bread? a) Sugar b) Salt c)  Flour d) Water
• How many legs does a spider have? a) 6 b)  8 c) 4 d) 10
• Which vegetable is known to make you cry when you cut it? a) Carrot b)  Onion c) Tomato d) Cucumber
• What is the name of the toy cowboy in Toy Story? a) Buzz b)  Woody c) Rex d) Slinky
• Which holiday is celebrated on December 25th? a) Halloween b) Easter c)  Christmas d) Thanksgiving
• What do caterpillars turn into? a) Frogs b)  Butterflies c) Birds d) Fish
• What is the name of the pirate in Peter Pan? a) Blackbeard b)  Captain Hook c) Long John Silver d) Jack Sparrow
• How many hours are there in a day? a) 12 b)  24 c) 48 d) 36
• What fruit is known for keeping the doctor away? a) Orange b) Banana c)  Apple d) Grape
• What fruit is known for having seeds on the outside? a) Banana b) Apple c) Strawberry d) Grape
• What is the smallest ocean in the world? a) Atlantic b) Indian c) Pacific d)  Arctic
• Which instrument has black and white keys? a) Violin b) Piano c) Drum d) Guitar
• Which superhero can climb up walls and buildings? a) Superman b)  Spider-Man c) Batman d) Iron Man
• What is the first letter of the alphabet? a) B b)  A c) C d) D
• Which animal is known for its long neck? a) Elephant b)  Giraffe c) Kangaroo d) Zebra
• What’s the name of the river that runs through Egypt? a) Amazon b)  Nile c) Mississippi d) Ganges
• What do you call a baby dog? a) Kitten b) Calf c)  Puppy d) Chick
• How many wheels does a tricycle have? a)  3 b) 2 c) 4 d) 5
• What is the name of the fairy in Peter Pan? a) Cinderella b) Belle c)  Tinker Bell d) Ariel

Medium Kids Trivia Questions and Answers

• What is the capital of Japan? a) Seoul b)  Tokyo c) Beijing d) Bangkok
• Which mammal is known for having a pouch to carry its young? a) Elephant b) Kangaroo c) Dolphin d) Giraffe
• What is the chemical symbol for water? a) CO2 b) H2O2 c)  H2O d) O2
• How many bones are in the human body? a) 205 b)  206 c) 210 d) 220
• What is the hardest natural substance on Earth? a) Gold b) Iron c)  Diamond d) Silver
• Which famous scientist developed the theory of relativity? a) Isaac Newton b)  Albert Einstein c) Galileo Galilei d) Nikola Tesla
• What is the tallest breed of dog in the world? a) Bulldog b) Beagle c) Great Dane d) Poodle
• Which country is famous for inventing pizza? a) France b) Spain c) Greece d) Italy
• Which part of the plant conducts photosynthesis? a) Root b) Stem c) Leaf d) Flower
• What natural phenomenon is measured by the Richter scale? a) Tornadoes b) Earthquakes c) Hurricanes d) Tsunamis
• Who wrote the play ‘Romeo and Juliet’? a) Charles Dickens b) Mark Twain c)  William Shakespeare d) Jane Austen
• What is the main gas found in the air we breathe? a) Oxygen b)  Nitrogen c) Carbon dioxide d) Hydrogen
• Which country is famous for the Eiffel Tower? a) Italy b)  France c) Spain d) Germany
• Who painted the Mona Lisa? a) Vincent van Gogh b) Pablo Picasso c)  Leonardo da Vinci d) Claude Monet
• What is the largest desert in the world? a) Sahara b) Gobi c)  Antarctic Desert d) Kalahari
• What is the boiling point of water? a) 0°C b) 50°C c)  100°C d) 200°C
• Which two colors make green? a) Red and Blue b)  Blue and Yellow c) Yellow and Red d) Red and Green
• What is the main ingredient in guacamole? a) Tomato b)  Avocado c) Onion d) Lemon
• What is the currency of the United Kingdom? a) Euro b) Dollar c)  Pound d) Franc
• Which organ pumps blood through the body? a) Brain b) Lungs c)  Heart d) Kidney
• Which animal is the tallest in the world? a) Elephant b) Kangaroo c)  Giraffe d) Rhinoceros
• What is the main language spoken in Spain? a) French b) Italian c) Portuguese d)  Spanish
• Which planet has a ring system? a)  Saturn b) Jupiter c) Neptune d) Mars
• Which organ is responsible for detoxifying chemicals in the body? a) Heart b) Lungs c)  Liver d) Kidney
• What is the fastest land animal? a) Lion b)  Cheetah c) Leopard d) Horse
• What do bees collect from flowers to make honey? a) Water b) Seeds c) Nectar d) Pollen
• Which famous ship sank on its maiden voyage in 1912? a) Lusitania b) Mayflower c) Bismarck d)  Titanic
• Which country is home to the kangaroo? a) New Zealand b)  Australia c) Papua New Guinea d) South Africa
• What is the smallest country in the world? a) Monaco b) San Marino c)  Vatican City d) Liechtenstein
• Who invented the telephone? a) Thomas Edison b) Nikola Tesla c)  Alexander Graham Bell d) Samuel Morse

Hard Kids Trivia Questions and Answers

• What is the primary function of the roots of a plant? a) To absorb sunlight b) To produce flowers c) To absorb water and nutrients d) To attract pollinators
• Which insect is known for its ability to produce light? a) Dragonfly b) Bee c) Firefly d) Ant
• Which is the largest living bird by wingspan? a) Eagle b) Albatross c) Andean Condor d) Ostrich
• Which famous scientist discovered penicillin? a)  Alexander Fleming b) Louis Pasteur c) Marie Curie d) Jonas Salk
• What is the longest bone in the human body? a) Spine b) Humerus c)  Femur d) Tibia
• Which element has the chemical symbol ‘Au’? a) Silver b)  Gold c) Aluminum d) Iron
• What is the smallest unit of life? a) Atom b) Molecule c)  Cell d) Organ
• What natural phenomenon is characterized by a colorful display in the sky, often seen in polar regions? a) Rainbow b) Aurora Borealis c) Sunset d) Lightning
• Which two elements make up water? a) Oxygen and Carbon b) Nitrogen and Hydrogen c)  Hydrogen and Oxygen d) Carbon and Nitrogen
• Which famous structure was originally built as a mausoleum and is now one of the Seven Wonders of the World? a) Colosseum b) Taj Mahal c) Great Pyramid of Giza d) Petra
• Which continent is known as the “Dark Continent”? a) Asia b) South America c)  Africa d) Australia
• What is the study of the weather called? a) Geology b) Astronomy c)  Meteorology d) Ecology
• What is the main ingredient in traditional Japanese miso soup? a) Tofu b)  Miso paste c) Seaweed d) Rice
• Which ancient civilization built the pyramids? a) Mesopotamian b)  Egyptian c) Greek d) Roman
• Which famous explorer discovered America in 1492? a) Marco Polo b)  Christopher Columbus c) Ferdinand Magellan d) Vasco da Gama
• What is the tallest mountain in the world? a) K2 b)  Mount Everest c) Kilimanjaro d) Denali
• What is the currency of China? a) Yen b) Dollar c)  Yuan d) Rupee
• Which element is a diamond made of? a) Silicon b)  Carbon c) Nitrogen d) Oxygen
• What is the largest island in the world? a) Borneo b) Madagascar c) New Guinea d)  Greenland
• Which planet has the most moons? a) Mars b)  Jupiter c) Saturn d) Uranus
• Who was the first person to walk on the moon? a) Buzz Aldrin b)  Neil Armstrong c) Yuri Gagarin d) John Glenn
• What is the main ingredient in hummus? a) Lentils b)  Chickpeas c) Beans d) Peas
• Which ancient Greek philosopher was the teacher of Alexander the Great? a) Socrates b)  Aristotle c) Plato d) Pythagoras
• What is the term for animals that are active during the day? a) Nocturnal b) Crepuscular c) Diurnal d) Hibernating
• Which musical instrument is known for its use in jazz and has a slide to change pitch? a) Saxophone b) Trombone c) Trumpet d) Violin
• Which U.S. state is the Grand Canyon located in? a) Utah b)  Arizona c) Nevada d) Colorado
• What is the capital of Australia? a) Sydney b) Melbourne c)  Canberra d) Brisbane
• What is the most spoken language in the world? a) English b) Spanish c)  Mandarin Chinese d) Hindi
• Which bird is known for its impressive memory and ability to mimic sounds? a) Eagle b)  Parrot c) Crow d) Owl
• Which country hosted the first modern Olympic Games? a)  Greece b) France c) USA d) Italy

Wrapping Up

Engaging kids with trivia is a fantastic way to make learning fun and memorable. Whether you’re using tools like ClassPoint to enhance the experience or simply asking questions around the dinner table, trivia can be a great way to connect with kids and inspire their imaginations.

Incorporating interactive tools like ClassPoint into your presentations can transform ordinary sessions into dynamic and engaging experiences. By blending technology with learning , you create an environment where participants are more involved and enthusiastic about the material being presented. This approach not only enhances the overall educational experience but also fosters a sense of collaboration and fun.

As you continue to create memorable learning experiences, remember that the joy of discovery is what makes learning truly impactful. Keep the energy light, the questions diverse, and most importantly, make sure that fun is at the heart of every activity.

Check out more questions lists with downloadable templates here! 👇🏻

131 Most Hilarious Family Feud Questions and Answers of All Time  😂

150 Fun Fill in the Blank Game Questions Across Different Categories (Free Downloadable Template Available!)

About Ausbert Generoso

Try classpoint for free.

All-in-one teaching and student engagement in PowerPoint.

Supercharge your PowerPoint. Start today.

800,000+ people like you use ClassPoint to boost student engagement in PowerPoint presentations.

Math PowerPoint Games For Teachers

Math PowerPoint (PPT) games and resources for teaching math to children in preschool / kindergarten, first 1st grade, second 2nd grade, 3rd third grade, 4th fourth grade, 5 th fifth grade, 6th sixth grade & 7 seventh grade. Math games are arranged by grade and include games like : Math hidden pictures games, Jeopardy games & Olympic jeopardy games. These games were built with math 4 kids in mind. Teachers and educators can simply download these free & ready made materials for use in the classroom.

First 1st Grade Math Classroom PPT Games

• Games : Olympic jeopardy games & Million dollar Jeopardy game.
• Math Topics - Addition, counting, numbers, geometry, tell time, graphs etc

Second 2nd Grade Math Classroom PPT Games

• Math Topics - Addition, counting, numbers, comparisons, estimation, multiplication, time, even & odd numbers geometry, tell time, graphs etc

Third 3rd Grade Math Classroom PPT Games

• Math Topics - Addition, data representation, division, fractions, counting, numbers, comparisons, estimation, place value, relations, subtraction, multiplication, time, even & odd numbers geometry, tell time, graphs etc

Fourth 4th Grade Math Classroom PPT Games

• Games : Olympic jeopardy games & Million dollar Jeopardy games
• Math Topics - Addition, algebra, data representation, division, fractions, counting
• numbers, comparisons, estimation, place value, relations, subtraction,
• multiplication, time, even & odd numbers, geometry, tell time, graphs etc

Fifth 5th Grade Math Classroom PPT Games

• Math Topics - Addition, algebra, data representation, division, fractions, counting,
• multiplication, percentages, geometry, time, graphs etc

Sixth 6 th Grade Math Classroom PPT Games

• numbers, estimation in hundreds, thousands etc, rounding up, place value, relations, subtraction,

N.B ! Some games in this section were adapted from our partner website www.eslgamesworld.com

hence, they should not be copied and used on any other website without our permission.

Math Games For More Practice

Fifth Grade Math quizzes - Counting, Addition, Subtraction, Geometry, Positions & More

Sixth grade math quizzes - counting, addition, subtraction, geometry, positions & more seventh 7th grade math quizzes - algebra, simultaneous equations, linear equations, decimals, eigth 8th grade math quizzes - fractions, coordinate geometry, quadratic equations & more, math end of term tests & placement tests from kindergarten to sixth grades & pre-algebra and algebra 2 tests.

We offer PDF printables in the highest quality.

• Preschool/kindergarten
• Grade 1 worksheets.
• Grade 2 - 6 Worksheets

Fun Games for Teaching Maths

• Penalty shooting game
• En Garde Duel Game
• Fling the teacher fun game
• More More Games.

Parents, teachers and educators can now present the knowledge using these vividly presented short videos. Simply let the kids watch and learn.

Quizzes are designed around the topics of addition, subtraction, geometry, shapes, position, fractions, multiplication, division, arithmetic, algebra etc.

Access the materials by looking at topics - Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Geometry, Trigonometry, algebra, Decimals, Division and more.

Fun Games for Math Practice

• Games to practice Addition, subtraction, Geometry, Comparison, Algebra, Shapes, Time, Fractions, Decimals, Sequence, Division, Metric system, Logarithms, ratios, probability, multiplication and more>>

The games include among other : memory games, Walk the plank, Fling the Teacher, En Garde Duel, Basketball Game, Penalty Shoot and more.

• Worksheets to practice Addition, subtraction, Geometry, Comparison, Algebra, Shapes, Time, Fractions, Decimals, Sequence, Division, Metric system, Logarithms, ratios, probability, multiplication and more>>>

Math Products

• Math Worksheets
• Math Lessons
• Math Quizzes
• Math Downloads
• Parents/Teachers

Levels & Grades

• Kindergarten
• Grade 2 - 6
• Math eBooks
• Math ipod videos
• Advertise on this site
• Internal Links
• External Links

Website Focus

Math practice for kids.

• Math Video Slides

PRINTABLE EXERCISES

• Multiplication
• Algebra & More

Interactive Math

• Subtraction Games
• Multiplication Quizzes
• Geometry Exercises
• Video Lessons

Home Blog Teaching Trends Online whiteboard for teaching, 5 ideas for getting started

September 3rd, 2024 by Angélique Toque

Online whiteboard for teaching, 5 ideas for getting started

Table of Contents

An online whiteboard for teaching can greatly enhance your classroom. Students today are more familiar with technology than ever before, so why not let them learn in the way they consume knowledge daily? 

The Explain Everything online whiteboard is the perfect match for your upcoming semester’s challenges. Let’s dive deeper into digital whiteboard scenarios for teaching and find your favorite one!

Create interactive presentations in minutes

As a teacher, you produce tons of materials—so why not turn them into interactive resources? If you have PowerPoint presentations, you can easily import them into Explain Everything . By using digital whiteboards for teaching you can transform all materials into interactive presentations. You can record voice overs, make annotations, and tailor the content to meet your students’ needs. These tasks are no longer difficult to accomplish.

What can you add to your presentation to make it more interactive?

• Videos from your device
• Voiceover recordings
• Imported files (basically anything you want!)
• Sticky notes, shapes, cliparts, and more

How to create your fist interactive project? Watch this video

Annotate on PDFs using a digital whiteboard 

Stop printing all your materials and start digitizing exercises and assignments. This approach not only saves you time but also simplifies the teaching process. All students can access a whiteboard project with homework from any of their devices. They can no longer claim they’ve lost their worksheet somewhere! How to start annotating on your PDFs in a second? Watch this video

Record Instructional Videos

Nowadays, everything is turned into a video—it has become a part of our lives. With this powerful tool, teachers can save tons of time on material preparation and build a digital library of pre-made videos covering different topics and subjects for students. With the Explain Everything digital whiteboard, you can record lesson recaps for absent students or create assignments. Instantly share materials with your students or parents using a web link.

How to record explainer videos? Watch a video or read the article → 

Create Engaging Assignments with Activities

Teachers who integrate gamified activities into their assignments are often seen as innovative and dynamic, aiming to boost student engagement and motivation. Recently we’ve launched a brand new feature “Activities”. From now on you can use activities like Memory, Matching, and Crosswords to strengthen your students’ knowledge and incorporate some fun during your classes. 

Disclaimer: Activities are available on the Advanced and Pro Plans, on iOS devices.

How to start using Activities in Explain Everything? Watch this video

Digital teaching aids, store them all in one place

One of the greatest advantages of digital teaching aids is the ability to store all your teaching materials in one place. By digitizing your lesson plans, presentations, worksheets, and other resources, you create an organized and easily accessible repository of your teaching prep. This not only saves you time but also allows you to build upon your materials year after year without having to start from scratch. With everything stored digitally, you can quickly make updates, share resources with colleagues, and ensure that you’re always prepared. 

Online whiteboard for teaching, start with Back to School Templates 

If you’re new to digital whiteboards, now is a great time to try one for free and see if it meets your needs. Creating an account costs nothing but can make a huge difference. Start with these Back-to-School templates and customize them however you like.

How-To Geek

40 chill games to unwind from your stressful life with.

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Today's NYT Connections Hints and Answer for September 3 (#450)

5 gaming habits you shouldn't copy in real life, half-life 3 might finally be real, but i hope it's not, quick links, exploration games, first-person games and walking simulators, simulator games, strategy games, 2d sidescrollers, puzzle games, survival and crafting games.

Video games are the ultimate form of escapism—they can absorb you into their world better than any other form of media. This means they can be a great way to relax and unwind, but not every game is well-suited for that. So today, we wanted to shine a light on the calmer side of gaming, showing off games that take it upon themselves to give you chilled and relaxing experiences.

There were a few general things we looked for when selecting games for this list. The games needed to be on the easier side of things, they shouldn't have any high-stress mechanics, and finally, the game's presentation should be pleasing to eyes and ears—music and visuals go a long way to determining the tone of a game.

One final thing to note: game prices are fluid, they change constantly due to sales and price drops. Because of this, we decided not to include prices for the games listed, but all the games on this list range anywhere from $2 to $60.

So without further ado, let's talk about some games.

Exploration, assuming it's not accompanied by swarms of enemies, is inherently relaxing. You spend a large amount of your time just traveling, soaking in the world around you, until you find something truly unique that fills you with a pure feeling of discovery. That feeling is great, and these are the games that capture it the best.

ABZU ( PC / Switch / PlayStation / Xbox )

The ocean is vast and begging to be explored, and while you may not get too far with a scuba mask in the real world, ABZU makes it simple (and beautiful) to explore the watery depths. All with a minimal story that, while not amazing, is enough to get your adventure started.

Journey ( iOS / PC / PlayStation )

Journey has been praised since its original release back in 2012 for its beautiful visuals, minimal but captivating story, and interesting multiplayer mechanic. You can venture through this desert with a random co-op partner given to you by the game, which leads to some truly unique experiences.

A Short Hike ( PC / Switch / PlayStation / Xbox )

This is a game about taking a short hike up a mountain. The name, and the game itself, are very simple and self-explanatory, but that doesn't stop this hike from being one of the most charming and relaxing experiences in all gaming.

RiME ( PC / Switch / PlayStation / Xbox )

Inspired by the dungeons in The Legend of Zelda series, RiME is an open-world puzzle and exploration game about unlocking the secrets of the island Rime. All while enjoying wonderful cel-shaded graphics and small inklings of plot and lore.

Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles ( PC / Switch / PlayStation / Xbox )

This game is about exploring and nothing else. There are no enemies, no crafting, and nothing to distract you. Just run through this wide-open world admiring the beautiful vistas and creatively designed creatures.

AER: Memories of Old ( PC / Switch / PlayStation / Xbox )

AER is about the peaceful exploration of floating ruins by using the main character's ability to turn into a bird. A bit strange for sure, but soaring through these dilapidated buildings is both fun and breathtaking.

Outer Wilds ( PC / Switch / PlayStation / Xbox )

Outer Wilds received heavy praise after its release, and it's well deserved. This game's hand-crafted world is expertly designed to deliver a constant feeling of discovery. There are plenty of secrets to find and tricks to figure out, with a unique time mechanic tying the whole game together.

Jusant ( PC / PlayStation / Xbox )

Set in a mysterious, dry future, Jusant sees you take on the role of a climber seeking to reach the peak of a mountain. This is a picturesque and meditative climb, not a nerve-wracking one. The game makes good use of stamina and climbing tool mechanics, and as you explore different routes along the tower you discover more about the state of this desolate future.

Spiritfarer ( PC / Switch / PlayStation / Xbox )

Your new job is to ferry lost spirits from various islands across this waterborn world to the Everdoor and whatever awaits them beyond it. Each spirit is a fully-rounded character that boards your boats, who you'll need to house, feed, run errands for, and keep entertained. The world has all kinds of islands to discover at a peaceful pace, and you will absolutely fall in love with the characters you meet. It's chilled, but it is also hard to say goodbye.

These are the games about walking and not much else, which may sound boring, but if executed properly this genre can be the source of some of the best experiences you'll have in a video game. They don't all hit the mark, but these are the ones that definitely do.

Firewatch ( PC / Switch / PlayStation / Xbox )

This game may only be a few hours long, but it's a few hours well spent. The presentation is beautiful, the writing and voice acting are top-notch, and the story is engaging and well thought out. Firewatch has been the gold standard of walking simulators ever since its release, and that probably won't change for a long time.

Myst ( PC )

Myst is a classic game that was originally released in the early nineties, impressing players of the time with its amazing atmosphere and sense of discovery. You explore the mysterious island of Myst by solving puzzles, all while discovering the remnants of a plot that took place long before you arrived. We've linked the 2021 remake, but there are various versions available, including an original port on mobile devices, a Unity-engine remake ( realMyst ) and a Masterpiece Edition that was released back in 2000.

Refunct ( PC / Switch / PlayStation / Xbox )

Refunct is a simple game about jumping between platforms in a relaxing environment. It isn't deep in any regards, but it's cheap, straightforward, and fun to blast through—perfect for an afternoon gaming session.

Eastshade ( PC / PlayStation / Xbox )

In Eastshade you play as a traveling painter capturing the island of Eastshade on your canvas. It's peaceful, beautiful, and the story is well written. If you want to truly get lost in a game's story for a few hours, Eastshade is what you should be playing.

Coffee Talk ( PC / Switch / PlayStation / Xbox )

This one doesn't fit the bill of a walking simulator, but it is a first-person game so it's close enough for this section. In Coffee Talk , you run a coffee shop in a fantasy world, filled with elves, dwarves, orcs, and more. It's your job to fulfill their coffee orders, but other than that all you need to do is chat to your customers. You'll learn about their lives, build relationships, and dish out caffeine boosts from the bar of this chilled coffee shop.

These games are all about giving you a taste of the real world in video game form, regardless of how accurate that taste is.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons ( Switch )

It's hard to describe what Animal Crossing is. It's a "life simulator" where almost nothing about the game matches the real world, and yet millions are drawn in by the charming visuals and simple gameplay. The game keeps you coming back with events that occur every day (in realtime) and it can be incredibly addictive. It's not for everyone, but if you do end up liking it, you're probably going to really like it.

Farming Simulator 22 ( PC / PlayStation / Xbox )

The bi-annual franchise's latest release, Farming Simulator is a game that wears its gameplay on its sleeve. It's a realistic simulation of running your own farm, with all the troubles and excitement that entails. It may seem uninteresting at first glance, but if you give the game a shot, you may be surprised how much you enjoy it.

American Truck Simulator ( PC )

Another straightforward game, this time about hitting the open roads of the USA in a semi-truck. It may sound dull, but there is a reason many have spent hundreds of hours driving on these virtual roads. Something about it is just engrossing, and with next to zero punishments for messing up, it's a perfect game to unwind with.

Elite Dangerous ( PC / PlayStation / Xbox )

If you want a "realistic as possible" space simulator, Elite Dangerous is the best option out there. You fly your spaceship through the dark void of space, collect materials, sell those materials, and occasionally land on planets. There are a few threats in this galaxy, including other players, but for the most part, you'll just be living the peaceful life of a space trader and explorer. (Also, Elite Dangerous does require that you sign up for an account, which you can do on the game's website .)

PowerWash Simulator ( PC / Switch / PlayStation / Xbox )

Ever watched power washing timelapses on YouTube? The only thing more satisfying than watching grimy areas get cleaned up is being able to do it yourself. That's exactly what PowerWash Simulator is all about. You can spend hours in this game cleaning all kinds of things, from old trains to fairground rides.

Strategy games are already commonly associated with being relaxing experiences, even when they're about declaring wars or fighting off aliens. And these ones in particular really focus on making you feel as relaxed as possible.

Mini Metro ( PC / Switch / PlayStation / iOS / Android )

On the surface, Mini Metro is unremarkable. The visuals are minimalistic and the gameplay doesn't look particularly deep. Yet, it still manages to be a great game. You're in charge of the subway systems of every major city on Earth and it's your job to make sure those systems actually function properly, so go on and enjoy your new life of connecting subway lines for many, many hours (or rage quitting in minutes).

ISLANDERS ( PC / Switch / PlayStation / Xbox )

ISLANDERS is a laid-back city builder where you manage an island village. The mechanics aren't particularly in-depth, but that's part of the appeal. With so few threats to the residents, you can just chill out and build your perfect city.

Dorfromantik ( PC / Switch )

In Dorfromantik you place tiles to build the world. Each tile has different attributes, meaning you need to think strategically about where you place them to score the most points or to accomplish quests associated with different tiles. As you play, you'll build out a cute little world of your own design.

This genre is fairly simple—it's just games that take place on a 2D plane after all. Your movement options may be limited, but after decades of this genre being around, developers have found endless ways to make that interesting.

The Gardens Between ( PC / Switch / PlayStation / Xbox / iOS / Android )

This is a short and sweet plot-driven game about two best friends who get trapped in a mysterious and imaginative world. You solve simple puzzles and do minimal platforming, and the game uses a beautiful 2.5D visual style. This game is very easy, but that's exactly what you want sometimes.

GRIS ( PC / Switch / PlayStation / Xbox / iOS / Android )

GRIS is a beautiful, hand-drawn 2D platformer that tackles the subjects of emotional well-being and fear. It's a short, touching story with some fantastic presentation to back it up. The gameplay itself is simple and doesn't ask much of the player besides some basic platforming skills.

The Alto Collection ( PC / Switch / PlayStation / Xbox)

Also available as separate mobile games: Alto's Adventure ( iOS / Android ) and Alto's Odyssey ( iOS / Android ). These are two fantastic games about snowboarding. The gameplay is simple and the visuals are breathtaking, which is all you need for a relaxing play session.

LIMBO ( PC / Switch / PlayStation / Xbox / iOS / Android )

This is a dark, story-driven 2D sidescroller from developer Playdead. It is completely silhouetted and, while it can be creepy at times, is an enjoyable game to run through in a few hours with a captivating little world.

INSIDE ( PC / Switch / PlayStation / Xbox / iOS )

Also from developer Playdead, INSIDE makes use of 2.5D graphics and similar sidescrolling mechanics to tell a captivating story in its short runtime. Again, it's a little creepy at times, but still a generally easy and relaxing game to play, with an oddly striking final act.

There's nothing more calming than a good puzzle game…except when it's making you rip your hair out. We tried to avoid those while still choosing games that offer a good challenge.

FEZ ( PC / Switch / PlayStation / Xbox )

The puzzle platformer is a broad genre, encompassing many games, but FEZ is one of the best. In FEZ , you play as a little blob of pixels who obtained the power to warp reality itself—which from your perspective just means changing the camera angle. But this does affect how you move around the stages and what secrets you can uncover. It's a clever central mechanic that the game expands on until the very end.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker ( Switch )

Another game about shifting your camera angle, but this time with a bit less subtlety—there is no in-game reason for this great power. None of the puzzles are particularly taxing, but they still feel great to overcome. The whole game just oozes that classic Nintendo charm and just makes you feel happy as you complete stage after stage.

Monument Valley ( iOS / Android ) and Monument Valley 2 ( iOS / Android )

Both Monument Valley games heavily mess with your perspective of things. The mind-bending stages are simple in appearance but complicated in gameplay, and it's all tied up with a sweet story about a mother and daughter. Fans of artist M.C. Escher will love this one.

The Room, The Room 2, The Room 3, and The Room 4: Old Sins

These games are available on PC and mobile platforms: The Room ( PC / Switch / iOS / Android ), The Room 2 ( PC / Switch / iOS / Android ), The Room 3 ( PC / iOS / Android ), and The Room 4: Old Sins ( PC / iOS / Android ). Despite being set in a dark and gloomy environment, the Room games are actually pretty chill. You solve a lot of puzzles in these games, all with tactile feeling graphics and mechanics. You'll open up secret compartments in furniture, while also admiring just how well detailed that furniture is. The four games combined should give you many hours of puzzle-solving entertainment. The story runs through all games, and it's captivating.

Good survival and crafting games truly are diamonds in the rough of many lazily-made titles. When these games are good, though, they can pull you in for hours. Most do rely on some form of overall threat—such as enemies or dying of things like hunger and thirst to keep you engaged—but there are plenty that take a more relaxed approach to survival.

No Man's Sky ( PC / Switch / PlayStation / Xbox )

Despite its rough launch, the modern-day No Man's Sky is actually a pretty good game. With breathtaking vistas and beautiful music, you can easily get lost in the cycle of exploring new, procedurally generated planets for hours. While there is a fair bit of grinding in No Man's Sky , and a few threats to make exploring difficult, the presentation alone makes it worth trying.

Stardew Valley ( PC / Switch / PlayStation / Xbox / iOS / Android )

One of the most successful indie games of recent years, and for good reason. Stardew Valley is all about relaxing, chatting with townsfolk, and peacefully tending to your farm. The visuals and music are charming and, with the great co-op mode, you can enjoy it all with up to three friends.

Astroneer ( PC / Switch / PlayStation / Xbox )

When it comes to crafting games, it's hard to think of one more chill than Astroneer . Your objective is pretty simple: explore planets, expand your base, and activate all the gateways found on each world. The game is fully multiplayer, and you can have a blast messing around with the game's admittedly janky physics engine with your friends. This one just gives off a fun tone, from the silly emotes your avatar can do to some of the more ridiculous items in the game.

Minecraft ( PC / Switch / PlayStation / Xbox / iOS / Android )

Minecraft may be the most popular game on this list. Escaping mobs of skeletons and creepers isn't very chilled, but if you switch those settings over to Creative mode you'll have nothing to worry about. This turns the game into a limitless canvas for you to fly around and create whatever buildings, sculptures, or even machines you can imagine. Just as long as you can figure out how to make it out of blocks.

There are a lot of titles on this list, and they won't all be for everyone. But there should at least be something to help you wind down at the end of a stressful day. Hopefully, one of these will give you some much-needed relaxation.

• Video Games

• Presentation Collections

How to Create a Periodic Table Presentation for Students

Bored students , when you bring up the periodic table? It’s time to turn this tricky topic into a thrilling journey for your class. The periodic table, a key part of chemistry often seems like a scary unchanging chart. But it’s a powerful tool that helps us understand all the elements. Teachers face the task of making this complex info easy and fun for students to grasp. Let’s look at ways to create a periodic table science PPT Template lesson that grabs young minds.

Blackboard vs Presentation: The Changing Face of Teaching the Periodic Table

Traditionally, the periodic table was taught from the blackboard , and the poor teacher sat there, each element in its place, carefully drawn out in chalk. In those days, this was effective; however, it often led to the student becoming bored with static, text-heavy content that was difficult to visualize and engage a student’s attention. The lack of color, interaction, and dynamic content made it hard for students to connect with the material.

Those days are gone now, for the modern tools have already arrived. The same lesson of the periodic table can be made interactive with the help of digital presentations. A well-designed science PPT will bring the periodic table alive, and in such a manner that it would not be so tedious for the students to learn about even the intricate details and also remember them.

The Periodic Table: A Quick Look

Dmitri Mendeleev was the mind behind the periodic table in 1869 .It puts elements in order based on their atomic number how their electrons are set up, and chemical properties that keep showing up. This way of organizing things has helped scientists guess about elements we hadn’t found yet, figure out how chemicals react, and come up with new materials.

The Benefits of Teaching the Periodic Table

• Foundation for Chemistry: The periodic table forms the basis of chemistry. To understand later topics, students need to know its structure and patterns well.
• Problem-solving Skills: When students study the periodic table, they learn to spot patterns, guess outcomes, and reach conclusions. This improves their ability to think.
• Career Opportunities: Many jobs require knowledge of the periodic table. These include work in chemistry, materials science, medicine, and engineering.

How to Make a Periodic Table science presentation That Grabs Attention

• Know Your Audience: Think about how old your students are and what they already know. Adjust your talk to fit them using easy words for younger kids and harder ideas for older ones.
• Visual Appeal: Our brains love to see things. Use bright pictures, images, and charts to show tricky ideas in the science PowerPoint  Template .  Add things students can interact with, like moving pictures or videos, to keep them interested.
• Storytelling: Turn the periodic table into a story using the science PPT. Start with how it came to be long ago showing the hard work and big wins of scientists like Mendeleev.
• Hands-on Activities: Get students involved through experiments or demonstrations. For instance, make a colorful periodic table poster with elements from everyday items.
• Real-world Connections: Link the periodic table to practical uses. Talk about how elements play a part in technology, medicine, and the environment.
• Interactive Tools: Use online resources and interactive periodic tables to boost student learning. These tools often have games, quizzes, and virtual experiments.
• Group Projects: Give groups of students tasks to research specific elements or groups of elements. They can show what they learned in creative ways, like presentations, skits, or models.

Make your design count! Create Science PPT slides that are clear and to the point putting visuals first. Remember less often works better. Don’t use long paragraphs. Instead, go for strong visuals like diagrams, charts, and top-notch images to get your message across. Pick fonts that are easy to read and stick to the same style throughout. A good slide deck should catch the eye and inform, without drowning your audience in text.

Here are some more design ideas to think about:

• Color Scheme: Pick colors that go well with your content and don’t strain the eyes. Think about using colors that match how the periodic table is organized, like using specific shades to tell apart groups of elements (for example alkali metals halogens).
• White Space: Leave enough empty space on your slides to avoid a messy look and make them easier to read.
• Balance: Keep your Science Template layout even. Don’t put too much info on one side or squeeze things into the corners.

Current Trends and Innovations

The periodic table field keeps changing. New element discoveries have broadened our grasp of the periodic system. Also, people show more interest to explore element properties at the nanoscale.

Some of these you could consider for your lecture to keep it current:

• New Elements added to the periodic table so explain them are 113, 115, 117, and 118 Periodic Table Trends: Point out new trends in periodic table studies, like research on superheavy elements or examining element properties in extreme conditions.
• Interactive Periodic Tables: Show off cutting-edge online tools that offer interactive features and visual aids.

If you stick to these tips and keep up with new discoveries, you can put together a gripping and educational periodic table presentation that gets your students excited to dig into the cool world of chemistry.

Remember: The secret to a great science presentation is to make the periodic table feel relevant and thrilling. By throwing in pictures, telling stories, and adding hands-on stuff to do, you can turn this tricky subject into a fun learning experience for your class.

Spread Love

Related blogs.

Karthika Sakthivel

I'm Karthika Sakthivel, a passionate presentation content writer with 8 months of experience specializing in crafting captivating narratives. I am proficient in writing engaging blogs and improving content approaches for PowerPoint presentations and various niches. As a dedicated writer who loves the written word, I bring a unique perspective and creativity to my work. I aim to deliver insightful and impactful content that helps your presentations stand out and connect with your audience.

Recent Blogs

How To Use Google Slides Offline And Work Anywhere?

Google Slides is equally a perfect tool that can be used in the creation and sharing of presentations. Use is...

How To Make A Graph In Google Slides

Google Slides is a powerful tool for creating presentations, but it also offers a variety of features for visualizing data....

How to Include Business Report with Infographic Presentation

These days because we live in a data-driven business world, to be able to express complex information concisely and effectively...

SIGNUP FOR NEWSLETTER

• Our Mission

Teaching With Digital Games in Elementary School

Apps like Kahoot, Blooket, and Quizizz offer valuable feedback about what students are learning while teaching them useful skills.

What do Super Mario, board games, card games, and you have in common? The ability to facilitate engaging, fun experiences through play. Game-based learning happens when educators use games to reinforce content, provide feedback to students, assess student knowledge and understanding, and allow for concept application.

Game-based learning works because playing games, which releases dopamine , increases the creation of synapses in the brain. Game-based learning can encompass computerized games, card or board games, whole group games, small group games, and independent gaming experiences.

I use tech options for game-based learning in my classroom for several reasons, the first being how apps lend themselves so well to data collection and analysis. Kahoot , Quizizz , and Blooket  all provide data on student answers as well as graphs for whole class data. This is not something that nontechnology options can provide, at least none that I’ve encountered. Second, using technology provides my students practice with skills they’ll use throughout their lives.

Game-based learning in third grade

When I taught third grade, I used game-based learning platforms to collect assessment data, review concepts, and provide immediate learner feedback. We had a one-to-one device ratio.

The first step of establishing game-based learning in any classroom is ensuring that students know how to use the devices that are available. It was crucial that all the students could log in to the devices independently, navigate the internet browser, and use my Google Classroom, where the links to activities and games were housed. This is achievable by giving students time to practice using the technology and by providing direct instruction on how to use the devices.

Next, it’s important to give clear instructions for using the games. Modeling the tools can also be beneficial to students. I modeled navigation and gameplay with my students for various game-based learning tools, using my own computer and interactive whiteboard screen.

This is also the time to state expectations for students using technology, like how to hold the devices, use the touch screens and track pads, return the devices to a storage and charging cart, etc. While it may feel like you are wasting instructional time, this will save time in the long run and allow you to use these technology tools over and over again throughout the school year. Anchor charts can be helpful in displaying and explaining the expectations for technology usage and game-based learning in your classroom.

The game-based learning tools that I used most often in my third-grade classroom were Kahoot and Blooket. These are traditional game-based learning platforms in that they are designed like computer games and have leaderboards. I used both platforms for guided practice, for content review, and as technology options for station rotations. Both tools also provide immediate feedback on whether students answered correctly, which is helpful in correcting misconceptions. 

One of my favorite ways to use Blooket was to review fractions and math facts. My students had so much fun with this that they asked to do more math fact reviews—they didn’t want to stop or move on to the next subject.

I also added a layer of motivation to play and put forth effort into answering the questions by joining the game myself. My students tried really hard to score better in the game than I did, and they used their mathematical automaticity to do so. I plan to use this with my fourth- and fifth-grade students this year.

Game-based learning in kindergarten

When I taught kindergarten, I needed to do more explicit instruction of device usage and game navigation because my students had less experience with games and technology. I had access to iPads, which are more user-friendly for little learners. Often, there is no log-in required, which is good for young students who are still learning how to identify their letters and may not be ready to type.

Kindergarten students were very excited to use iPads and had some familiarity with touch screens, which was helpful. I would show my students the picture of the app so they knew what to click. If time permitted, I would hand out the devices with the apps opened already. As with older students, it’s important to provide direct instruction and modeling on how to play the games, as well as expectations for using technology in the classroom. 

Quizizz was a favorite game for my kindergarten students on the iPads. I created games for my students to practice their rhyming skills and CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) word decoding. I used lots of clip-art images when creating games, as they have limited reading skills.

The limited reading skills brings me to a whole group game that uses a teacher device and interactive whiteboard: JeopardyLabs . Teachers can create or use a premade Jeopardy game on classroom concepts. I used JeopardyLabs to review math facts and sight words with my kindergarten students. I allowed them to tap the screen to pick their questions. 

Also, there was a time that I had Chromebooks for my kindergarten learners, but not enough for each student to have their own. In this case, I set up several devices for Kahoot and had my students work in teams to play games. We used this to review phonics skills and geometric shapes. My students loved working together to answer questions on their Chromebooks.

When choosing tools that work for me and my students, I try to use the SAMR model . Essentially, the SAMR model delineates how to pick technology tools that are intentional for the classroom, using technology to transform and enhance the activities. SAMR is applicable to all technology integration, not just game-based learning.  

Additionally, I look at the cost of technology tools when picking what to use with my students. Another reason I like resources like Kahoot, Blooket, and Quizizz is because they are free. 

Whether you are a veteran teacher, a preservice teacher, or somewhere in between, game-based learning is a beneficial practice for engaging students and for meaningful instructional design. Hopefully, with some planning and reflection, you will be on your way to facilitating game-based learning for your students.

Designing Interactive Learning with Polling Tools & Accessible Presentations: Workshop for JMU Faculty

Posted September 3, 2024 in Educational Technology News , Instructional Design News , JMU Libraries News

Our newest workshop introduces strategies and methods to support interactive and inclusive class participation for all students, with inquiry-based learning pedagogy, JMU-supported polling tools, and accessible presentations inside and outside classrooms.

Beyond this workshop, you can also request follow-up  consultation , co-design, or co-development services to prepare your courses for Spring and Summer 2025 semesters.

Dates and times

Sign up for the date and mode that work best for you:

• October 29 , 10:30-11:45 a.m. –  hybrid  (on Zoom or in Rose Library)
• October 30 , 1:00-2:15 p.m. –  virtual  (on Zoom)

Learn more: Visit  Designing Interactive Learning with Polling Tools and Accessible Presentations . Or feel free to contact  Zhenhuan Henry Yang , Instructional Designer with JMU Libraries, with any questions about this workshop. We hope to see you there!

• Open access
• Published: 31 August 2024

Effects of pecha kucha presentation pedagogy on nursing students’ presentation skills: a quasi-experimental study in Tanzania

• Setberth Jonas Haramba 1 ,
• Walter C. Millanzi 1 &
• Saada A. Seif 2  

BMC Medical Education volume  24 , Article number:  952 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

1 Altmetric

Metrics details

Introduction

Ineffective and non-interactive learning among nursing students limits opportunities for students’ classroom presentation skills, creativity, and innovation upon completion of their classroom learning activities. Pecha Kucha presentation is the new promising pedagogy that engages students in learning and improves students’ speaking skills and other survival skills. It involves the use of 20 slides, each covering 20 seconds of its presentation. The current study examined the effect of Pecha Kucha’s presentation pedagogy on presentation skills among nursing students in Tanzania.

The aim of this study was to establish comparative nursing student’s presentation skills between exposure to the traditional PowerPoint presentations and Pecha Kucha presentations.

The study employed an uncontrolled quasi-experimental design (pre-post) using a quantitative research approach among 230 randomly selected nursing students at the respective training institution. An interviewer-administered structured questionnaire adopted from previous studies to measure presentation skills between June and July 2023 was used. The study involved the training of research assistants, pre-assessment of presentation skills, training of participants, assigning topics to participants, classroom presentations, and post-intervention assessment. A linear regression analysis model was used to determine the effect of the intervention on nursing students’ presentation skills using Statistical Package for Social Solution (SPSS) version 26, set at a 95% confidence interval and 5% significance level.

Findings revealed that 63 (70.87%) participants were aged ≤ 23 years, of which 151 (65.65%) and 189 (82.17%) of them were males and undergraduate students, respectively. Post-test findings showed a significant mean score change in participants’ presentation skills between baseline (M = 4.07 ± SD = 0.56) and end-line (M = 4.54 ± SD = 0.59) that accounted for 0.4717 ± 0.7793; p  < .0001(95%CI) presentation skills mean score change with a medium effect size of 0.78. An increase in participants’ knowledge of Pecha Kucha presentation was associated with a 0.0239 ( p  < .0001) increase in presentation skills.

Pecha Kucha presentations have a significant effect on nursing students’ presentation skills as they enhance inquiry and mastery of their learning content before classroom presentations. The pedagogical approach appeared to enhance nursing students’ confidence during the classroom presentation. Therefore, there is a need to incorporate Pecha Kucha presentation pedagogy into nursing curricula and nursing education at large to promote student-centered teaching and learning activities and the development of survival skills.

Trial registration

It was not applicable as it was a quasi-experimental study.

Peer Review reports

The nursing students need to have different skills acquired during the learning process in order to enable them to provide quality nursing care and management in the society [ 1 ]. The referred nursing care and management practices include identifying, analyzing, synthesizing, and effective communication within and between healthcare professionals [ 1 ]. Given an increasing global economy and international competition for jobs and opportunities, the current traditional classroom learning methods are insufficient to meet such 21st - century challenges and demands [ 2 ]. The integration of presentation skills, creativity, innovation, collaboration, information, and media literacy skills helps to overcome the noted challenges among students [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. The skills in question constitute the survival skills that help the students not only for career development and success but also for their personal, social and public quality of life as they enable students to overcome 21st challenges upon graduation [ 2 ].

To enhance the nursing students’ participation in learning, stimulating their presentation skills, critical thinking, creativity, and innovation, a combination of teaching and learning pedagogy should be employed [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Among others, classroom presentations, group discussions, problem-based learning, demonstrations, reflection, and role-play are commonly used for those purposes [ 5 ]. However, ineffective and non-interactive learning which contribute to limited presentation skills, creativity, and innovation, have been reported by several scholars [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. For example, poor use and design of student PowerPoint presentations led to confusing graphics due to the many texts in the slides and the reading of about 80 slides [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Indeed, such non-interactive learning becomes boring and tiresome among the learners, and it is usually evidenced by glazing eyes, long yawning, occasional snoring, the use of a phone and frequent trips to the bathroom [ 12 , 14 ].

With an increasing number of nursing students in higher education institutions in Tanzania, the students’ traditional presentation pedagogy is insufficient to stimulate their presentation skills. They limit nursing student innovation, creativity, critical thinking, and meaningful learning in an attempt to solve health challenges [ 15 , 16 ].These hinder nursing students ability to communicate effectively by being able to demonstrate their knowledge and mastery of learning content [ 17 , 18 ]. Furthermore, it affects their future careers by not being able to demonstrate and express their expertise clearly in a variety of workplace settings, such as being able to present at scientific conferences, participating in job interviews, giving clinic case reports, handover reports, and giving feedback to clients [ 17 , 18 , 19 ].

Pecha Kucha presentation is a new promising approach for students’ learning in the classroom context as it motivates learners’ self-directed and collaborative learning, learner creativity, and presentation skills [ 20 , 21 , 22 ]. It encourages students to read more materials, enhances cooperative learning among learners, and is interesting and enjoyable among students [ 23 ].

Pecha Kucha presentation originated from the Japanese word “ chit chat , ” which represents the fast-paced presentation used in different fields, including teaching, marketing, advertising, and designing [ 24 , 25 , 26 ]. It involves 20 slides, where each slide covers 20 s, thus making a total of 6 min and 40 s for the whole presentation [ 22 ]. For effective learning through Pecha Kucha presentations, the design and format of the presentation should be meaningfully limited to 20 slides and targeted at 20 s for each slide, rich in content of the presented topic using high-quality images or pictures attuned to the content knowledge and message to be delivered to the target audiences [ 14 , 16 ]. Each slide should contain a primordial message with well-balanced information. In other words, the message should be simple in the sense that each slide should contain only one concept or idea with neither too much nor too little information, thus making it easy to be grasped by the audience [ 14 , 17 , 19 ].

The “true spirit” of Pecha Kucha is that it mostly consists of powerful images and meaningful specific text rather than the text that is being read by the presenter from the slides, an image, and short phrases that should communicate the core idea while the speaker offers well-rehearsed and elaborated comments [ 22 , 28 ]. The presenter should master the subject matter and incorporate the necessary information from classwork [ 14 , 20 ]. The audience’s engagement in learning by paying attention and actively listening to the Pecha Kucha presentation was higher compared with that in traditional PowerPoint presentations [ 29 ]. The creativity and collaboration during designing and selecting the appropriate images and contents, rehearsal before the presentation, and discussion after each presentation made students satisfied by enjoying Pecha Kucha presentations compared with traditional presentations [ 21 , 22 ]. Time management and students’ self-regulation were found to be significant through the Pecha Kucha presentation among the students and teachers or instructors who could appropriately plan the time for classroom instruction [ 22 , 23 ].

However, little is known about Pecha Kucha presentation in nursing education in Sub-Saharan African countries, including Tanzania, since there is insufficient evidence for the research(s) that have been published on the description of its effects on enhancing students’ presentation skills. Thus, this study assessed the effect of Pecha Kucha’s presentation pedagogy on enhancing presentation skills among nursing students. In particular, the study largely focused on nursing students’ presentation skills during the preparation and presentation of the students’ assignments, project works, case reports, or field reports.

The study answered the null hypothesis H 0  = H 1, which hypothesized that there is no significant difference in nursing students’ classroom presentation skills scores between the baseline and end-line assessments. The association between nursing students’ presentation skills and participants’ sociodemographic characteristics was formulated and analyzed before and after the intervention. This study forms the basis for developing new presentation pedagogy among nursing students in order to stimulate effective learning and the development of presentation skills during the teaching and learning process and the acquisition of 21st - century skills, which are characterized by an increased competitive knowledge-based society due to changing nature and technological eruptions.

The current study also forms the basis for re-defining classroom practices in an attempt to enhance and transform nursing students’ learning experiences. This will cultivate the production of graduates nurses who will share their expertise and practical skills in the health care team by attending scientific conferences, clinical case presentations, and job interviews in the global health market. To achieve this, the study determined the baseline and end-line nursing students’ presentation skills during the preparation and presentation of classroom assignments using the traditional PowerPoint presentation and Pecha Kucha presentation format.

Methods and materials

This study was conducted in health training institutions in Tanzania. Tanzania has a total of 47 registered public and private universities and university colleges that offer health programs ranging from certificate to doctorate degrees [ 24 , 25 ]. A total of seven [ 7 ] out of 47 universities offer a bachelor of science in nursing, and four [ 4 ] universities offer master’s to doctorate degree programs in nursing and midwifery sciences [ 24 , 26 ]. To enhance the representation of nursing students in Tanzania, this study was conducted in Dodoma Municipal Council, which is one of Tanzania’s 30 administrative regions [ 33 ]. Dodoma Region has two [ 2 ] universities that offer nursing programs at diploma and degree levels [ 34 ]. The referred universities host a large number of nursing students compared to the other five [ 5 ] universities in Tanzania, with traditional students’ presentation approaches predominating nursing students’ teaching and learning processes [ 7 , 32 , 35 ].

The two universities under study include the University of Dodoma and St. John’s University of Tanzania, which are located in Dodoma Urban District. The University of Dodoma is a public university that provides 142 training programs at the diploma, bachelor degree, and master’s degree levels with about 28,225 undergraduate students and 724 postgraduate students [ 26 , 27 ]. The University of Dodoma also has 1,031 nursing students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and 335 nursing students pursuing a Diploma in Nursing in the academic year 2022–2023 [ 33 ]. The St. John’s University of Tanzania is a non-profit private university that is legally connected with the Christian-Anglican Church [ 36 ]. It has student enrollment ranging from 5000 to 5999 and it provides training programs leading to higher education degrees in a variety of fields, including diplomas, bachelor degrees, and master’s degrees [ 37 ]. It hosts 766 nursing students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and 113 nursing students pursuing a Diploma in Nursing in the academic year 2022–2023 [ 30 , 31 ].

Study design and approach

An uncontrolled quasi-experimental design with a quantitative research approach was used to establish quantifiable data on the participants’ socio-demographic profiles and outcome variables under study. The design involved pre- and post-tests to determine the effects of the intervention on the aforementioned outcome variable. The design involved three phases, namely the baseline data collection process (pre-test via a cross-sectional survey), implementation of the intervention (process), and end-line assessment (post-test), as shown in Fig.  1 [ 7 ].

A flow pattern of study design and approach

Target population

The study involved nursing students pursuing a Diploma in nursing and a bachelor of science in nursing in Tanzania. The population was highly expected to demonstrate competences and mastery of different survival and life skills in order to enable them to work independent at various levels of health facilities within and outside Tanzania. This cohort of undergraduate nursing students also involved adult learners who can set goals, develop strategies to achieve their goals, and hence achieve positive professional behavioral outcomes [ 7 ]. Moreover, as per annual data, the average number of graduate nursing students ranges from 3,500 to 4,000 from all colleges and universities in the country [ 38 ].

Study population

The study involved first- and third-year nursing students pursuing a Diploma in Nursing and first-, second-, and third-year nursing students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Dodoma. The population had a large number of enrolled undergraduate nursing students, thus making it an ideal population for intervention, and it approximately served as a good representation of the universities offering nursing programs [ 11 , 29 ].

Inclusion criteria

The study included male and female nursing students pursuing a Diploma in nursing and a bachelor of science in nursing at the University of Dodoma. The referred students included those who were registered at the University of Dodoma during the time of study. Such students live on or off campus, and they were not exposed to PK training despite having regular classroom attendance. This enhanced enrollment of adequate study samples from each study program, monitoring of study intervention, and easy control of con-founders.

Exclusion criteria

All students recruited in the study were assessed at baseline, exposed to a training package and obtained their post-intervention learning experience. None of the study participants, who either dropped out of the study or failed to meet the recruitment criteria.

Sample size determination

A quasi-experimental study on Pecha Kucha as an alternative to traditional PowerPoint presentations at Worcester University, United States of America, reported significant student engagement during Pecha Kucha presentations compared with traditional PowerPoint presentations [ 29 ]. The mean score for the classroom with the traditional PowerPoint presentation was 2.63, while the mean score for the Pecha Kucha presentation was 4.08. This study adopted the formula that was used to calculate the required sample size for an uncontrolled quasi-experimental study among pre-scholars [ 39 ]. The formula is stated as:

Where: Zα was set at 1.96 from the normal distribution table.

Zβ was set at 0.80 power of the study.

Mean zero (π0) was the mean score of audiences’ engagement in using PowerPoint presentation = 2.63.

Mean one (π1) was the mean score of audience’s engagement in using Pecha Kucha presentation = 4.08.

Sampling technique

Given the availability of higher-training institutions in the study area that offer undergraduate nursing programs, a simple random sampling technique was used, whereby two cards, one labelled “University of Dodoma” and the other being labelled “St. Johns University of Tanzania,” were prepared and put in the first pot. The other two cards, one labelled “yes” to represent the study setting and the other being labelled “No” to represent the absence of study setting, were put in the second pot. Two research assistants were asked to select a card from each pot, and consequently, the University of Dodoma was selected as the study setting.

To obtain the target population, the study employed purposive sampling techniques to select the school of nursing and public health at the University of Dodoma. Upon arriving at the School of Nursing and Public Health of the University of Dodoma, the convenience sampling technique was employed to obtain the number of classes for undergraduate nursing students pursuing a Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The study sample comprised the students who were available at the time of study. A total of five [ 5 ] classes of Diploma in Nursing first-, second-, and third-years and Bachelor of Science in Nursing first-, second-, and third-years were obtained.

To establish the representation for a minimum sample from each class, the number of students by sex was obtained from each classroom list using the proportionate stratified sampling technique (sample size/population size× stratum size) as recommended by scholars [ 40 ]. To recruit the required sample size from each class by gender, a simple random sampling technique through the lottery method was employed to obtain the required sample size from each stratum. During this phase, the student lists by gender from each class were obtained, and cards with code numbers, which were mixed with empty cards depending on the strata size, were allocated for each class and strata. Both labeled and empty cards were put into different pots, which were labeled appropriately by their class and strata names. Upon arriving at the specific classroom and after the introduction, the research assistant asked each nursing student to pick one card from the respective strata pot. Those who selected cards with code numbers were recruited in the study with their code numbers as their participation identity numbers. The process continued for each class until the required sample size was obtained.

To ensure the effective participation of nursing students in the study, the research assistant worked hand in hand with the facilitators and lecturers of the respective classrooms, the head of the department, and class representatives. The importance, advantages, and disadvantages of participating in the study were given to study participants during the recruitment process in order to create awareness and remove possible fears. During the intervention, study participants were also given pens and notebooks in an attempt to enable them to take notes. Moreover, the bites were provided during the training sessions. The number of participants from each classroom and the sampling process are shown in Fig.  2 [ 7 ].

Flow pattern of participants sampling procedures

Data collection tools

The study adapted and modified the students’ questionnaire on presentation skills from scholars [ 20 , 23 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. The modification involved rephrasing the question statement, breaking down items into specific questions, deleting repeated items that were found to measure the same variables, and improving language to meet the literacy level and cultural norms of study participants.

The data collection tool consisted of 68 question items that assessed the socio-demographic characteristics of the study participants and 33 question items rated on a five-point Likert scale, which ranges from 5 = strongly agree, 4 = agree, 3 = not sure, 2 = disagree, and 1 = strongly disagree. The referred tool was used to assess the students’ skills during the preparation and presentation of the assignments using the traditional PowerPoint presentation and Pecha Kucha presentation formats.

The students’ assessment specifically focused on the students’ ability to prepare the presentation content, master the learning content, share presentation materials, and communicate their understanding to audiences in the classroom context.

Validity and reliability of research instruments

Validity of the research instrument refers to whether the instrument measures the behaviors or qualities that are intended to be measured, and it is a measure of how well the measuring instrument performs its function [ 41 ]. The structured questionnaire, which intends to assess the participants’ presentation skills was validated for face and content validity. The principal investigator initially adapted the question items for different domains of students’ learning when preparing and presenting their assignment in the classroom.

The items were shared and discussed by two [ 2 ] educationists, two [ 2 ] research experts, one [ 1 ] statistician, and supervisors in order to ensure clarity, appropriateness, adequacy, and coverage of the presentation skills using Pecha Kucha presentation format. The content validity test was used until the saturation of experts’ opinions and inputs was achieved. The inter-observer rating scale on a five-point Likert scale ranging from 5-points = very relevant to 1-point = not relevant was also used.

The process involved addition, input deletion, correction, and editing for relevance, appropriateness, and scope of the content for the study participants. Some of the question items were broken down into more specific questions, and new domains evolved. Other question items that were found to measure the same variables were also deleted to ease the data collection and analysis. Moreover, the grammar and language issues were improved for clarity based on the literacy level of the study participants.

Reliability of the research instruments refers to the ability of the research instruments or tools to provide similar and consistent results when applied at different times and circumstances [ 41 ]. This study adapted the tools and question items used by different scholars to assess the impact of PKP on student learning [ 12 , 15 , 18 ].

To ensure the reliability of the tools, a pilot study was conducted in one of the nursing training institutions in order to assess the complexity, readability, clarity, completeness, length, and duration of the tool. Ambiguous and difficult (left unanswered) items were modified or deleted based on the consensus that was reached with the consulted experts and supervisor before subjecting the questionnaires to a pre-test.

The study involved 10% of undergraduate nursing students from an independent geographical location for a pilot study. The findings from the pilot study were subjected to explanatory factor analysis (Set a ≥ 0.3) and scale analysis in order to determine the internal consistency of the tools using the Cronbach alpha of ≥ 0.7, which was considered reliable [ 42 , 43 , 44 ]. Furthermore, after the data collection, the scale analysis was computed in an attempt to assess their internal consistency using SPPSS version 26, whereby the Cronbach alpha for question items that assessed the participants’ presentation skills was 0.965.

Data collection method

The study used the researcher-administered questionnaire to collect the participants’ socio-demographic information, co-related factors, and presentation skills as nursing students prepare and present their assignments in the classroom. This enhanced the clarity and participants’ understanding of all question items before providing the appropriate responses. The data were collected by the research assistants in the classroom with the study participants sitting distantly to ensure privacy, confidentiality, and the quality of the information that was provided by the research participants. The research assistant guided and led the study participants to answer the questions and fill in information in the questionnaire for each section, domain, and question item. The research assistant also collected the baseline information (pre-test) before the intervention, which was then compared with the post-intervention information. This was done in the first week of June 2023, after training and orientation of the research assistant on the data collection tools and recruitment of the study participants.

Using the researcher-administered questionnaire, the research assistant also collected the participants’ information related to presentation skills as they prepared and presented their given assignments after the intervention during the second week of July 2023. The participants submitted their presentations to the principle investigator and research assistant to assess the organization, visual appeal and creativity, content knowledge, and adherence to Pecha Kucha presentation requirements. Furthermore, the evaluation of the participants’ ability to share and communicate the given assignment was observed in the classroom presentation using the Pecha Kucha presentation format.

Definitions of variables

Pecha kucha presentation.

It refers to a specific style of presentation whereby the presenter delivers the content using 20 slides that are dominated by images, pictures, tables, or figures. Each slide is displayed for 20 s, thus making a total of 400 s (6 min and 40 s) for the whole presentation.

Presentation skills in this study

This involved students’ ability to plan, prepare, master learning content, create presentation materials, and share them with peers or the audience in the classroom. They constitute the learning activities that stimulate creativity, innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Measurement of pecha kucha preparation and presentation skills

The students’ presentation skills were measured using the four [ 4 ] learning domains. The first domain constituted the students’ ability to plan and prepare the presentation content. It consisted of 17 question items that assessed the students’ ability to gather and select information, search for specific content to be presented in the classroom, find out the learning content from different resources, and search for literature materials for the preparation of the assignment using traditional PowerPoint presentations and Pecha Kucha formats. It also aimed to ascertain a deeper understanding of the contents or topic, learning ownership and motivation to learn the topics with clear understanding and the ability to identify the relevant audience, segregate, and remove unnecessary contents using the Pecha Kucha format.

The second domain constituted the students’ mastery of learning during the preparation and presentation of their assignment before the audience in the classroom. It consisted of six [ 6 ] question items that measured the students’ ability to read several times, rehearse before the classroom presentation, and practice the assignment and presentation harder. It also measures the students’ ability to evaluate the selected information and content before their actual presentation and make revisions to the selected information and content before the presentation using the Pecha Kucha format.

The third domain constituted the students’ ability to prepare the presentation materials. It consisted of six [ 6 ] question items that measured the students’ ability to organize the information and contents, prepare the classroom presentation, revise and edit presentation resources, materials, and contents, and think about the audience and classroom design. The fourth domain constituted the students’ ability to share their learning. It consisted of four [ 4 ] question items that measured the students’ ability to communicate their learning with the audience, present a new understanding to the audience, transfer the learning to the audience, and answer the questions about the topic or assignment given. The variable was measured using a 5-point Likert scale. The average scores were computed for each domain, and an overall mean score was calculated across all domains. Additionally, an encompassing skills score was derived from the cumulative scores of all four domains, thus providing a comprehensive evaluation of the overall skills level.

Implementation of intervention

The implementation of the study involved the training of research assistants, sampling of the study participants, setting of the venue, pre-assessment of the students’ presentation skills using traditional PowerPoint presentations, training and demonstration of Pecha Kucha presentations to study participants, and assigning the topics to study participants. The implementation of the study also involved the participants’ submission of their assignments to the Principal Investigator for evaluation, the participants’ presentation of their assigned topic using the Pecha Kucha format, post-intervention assessment of the students’ presentation skills, data analysis, and reporting [ 7 ]. The intervention involved Principal Investigator and two [ 2 ] trained research assistants. The intervention in question was based on the concept of multimedia theory of cognitive learning (MTCL) for enhancing effective leaning in 21st century.

Training of research assistants

Two research assistants were trained with regard to the principles, characteristics, and format of Pecha Kucha presentations using the curriculum from the official Pecha Kucha website. Also, research assistants were oriented to the data collection tools and methods in an attempt to guarantee the relevancy and appropriate collection of the participants’ information.

Schedule and duration of training among research assistants

The PI prepared the training schedule and venue after negotiation and consensus with the research assistants. Moreover, the Principle Investigator trained the research assistants to assess the learning, learn how to collect the data using the questionnaire, and maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the study participants.

Descriptions of interventions

The intervention was conducted among the nursing students at the University of Dodoma, which is located in Dodoma Region, Tanzania Mainland, after obtaining their consent. The participants were trained regarding the concepts, principles, and characteristics of Pecha Kucha presentations and how to prepare and present their assignments using the Pecha Kucha presentation format. The study participants were also trained regarding the advantages and disadvantages of Pecha Kucha presentations. The training was accompanied by one example of an ideal Pecha Kucha presentation on the concepts of pressure ulcers. The teaching methods included lecturing, brainstorming, and small group discussion. After the training session, the evaluation was conducted to assess the participants’ understanding of the Pecha Kucha conceptualization, its characteristics, and its principles.

Each participant was given a topic as an assignment from the fundamentals of nursing, medical nursing, surgical nursing, community health nursing, mental health nursing, emergency critical care, pediatric, reproductive, and child health, midwifery, communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, orthopedics and cross-cutting issues in nursing as recommended by scholars [ 21 , 38 ]. The study participants were given 14 days for preparation, rehearsal of their presentation using the Pecha Kucha presentation format, and submission of the prepared slides to the research assistant and principle investigator for evaluation and arrangement before the actual classroom presentation. The evaluation of the participants’ assignments involved the number of slides, quality of images used, number of words, organization of content and messages to be delivered, slide transition, duration of presentation, flow, and organization of slides.

Afterwards, each participant was given 6 min and 40 s for the presentation and 5 min to 10 min for answering the questions on the topic presented as raised by other participants. An average of 4 participants obtained the opportunity to present their assignments in the classroom every hour. After the completion of all presentations, the research assistants assessed the participant’s presentation skills using the researcher-administered questionnaire. The collected data were entered in SPSS version 26 and analyzed in an attempt to compare the mean score of participants’ presentation skills with the baseline mean score. The intervention sessions were conducted in the selected classrooms, which were able to accommodate all participants at the time that was arranged by the participant’s coordinators, institution administrators, and subject facilitators of the University of Dodoma, as described in Table  1 [ 7 ].

Evaluation of intervention

During the classroom presentation, there were 5 to 10 min for classroom discussion and reflection on the content presented, which was guided by the research assistant. During this time, the participants were given the opportunity to ask the questions, get clarification from the presenter, and provide their opinion on how the instructional messages were presented, content coverage, areas of strength and weakness for improvement, and academic growth. After the completion of the presentation sessions, the research assistant provided the questionnaire to participants in order to determine their presentation skills during the preparation of their assignments and classroom presentations using the Pecha Kucha presentation format.

Data analysis

The findings from this study were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) computer software program version 26. The percentages, frequencies, frequency distributions, means, standard deviations, skewness, and kurtosis were calculated, and the results were presented using the figures, tables, and graphs. The mean score analysis was computed, and descriptive statistical analysis was used to analyze the demographic information of the participants in an attempt to determine the frequencies, percentages, and mean scores of their distributions. A paired sample t-test was used to compare the mean score differences of the presentation skills within the groups before and after the intervention. The mean score differences were determined based on the baseline scores against the post-intervention scores in order to establish any change in terms of presentation skills among the study participants.

The association between the Pecha Kucha presentation and the development of participants’ presentation skills was established using linear regression analysis set at a 95% confidence interval and 5% (≤ 0.05) significance level in an attempt to accept or reject the null hypothesis.

However, N-1 dummy variables were formed for the categorical independent variables so as to run the linear regression for the factors associated with the presentation skills. The linear regression equation with dummy variables is presented as follows:

Β 0 is the intercept.

Β 1 , Β 2 , …. Β k-1 are the coefficients which correspond to the dummy variables representing the levels of X 1 .

Β k is the coefficient which corresponds to the dummy variable representing the levels of X 2 .

Β k+1 is the coefficient which corresponds to the continuous predictor X 3 .

X 1,1 , X 1,2 ,……. X 1,k-1 are the dummy variables corresponding to the different levels of X 1 .

ε represents the error term.

The coefficients B1, B2… Bk indicate the change in the expected value of Y for each category relative to the reference category. If the Beta estimate is positive for the categorical or dummy variables, it means that the corresponding covariate has a positive impact on the outcome variable compared to reference category. However, if the beta estimate is positive for the case of continuous covariates, it means that the corresponding covariate has direct proportion effect on the outcome variables.

The distribution of the outcome variables was approximately normally distributed since the normality of the data is one of the requirements for parametric analysis. A paired t test was performed to compare the presentation skills of nursing students before and after the intervention.

Social-demographic characteristics of the study participants

The study involved a total of 230 nursing students, of whom 151 (65.65%) were male and the rest were female. The mean age of study participants was 23.03 ± 2.69, with the minimum age being 19 and the maximum age being 37. The total of 163 (70.87%) students, which comprised a large proportion of respondents, were aged less than or equal to 23, 215 (93.48%) participants were living on campus, and 216 (93.91) participants were exposed to social media.

A large number of study participants (82.17%) were pursuing a bachelor of Science in Nursing, with the majority being first-year students (30.87%). The total of 213 (92.61%) study participants had Form Six education as their entry qualification, with 176 (76.52%) participants being the product of public secondary schools and interested in the nursing profession. Lastly, the total of 121 (52.61%) study participants had never been exposed to any presentation training; 215 (93.48%) students had access to individual classroom presentations; and 227 (98.70%) study participants had access to group presentations during their learning process. The detailed findings for the participants’ social demographic information are indicated in Table  2 [ 46 ].

Baseline nursing students’ presentation skills using traditional powerPoint presentations

The current study assessed the participant’s presentation skills when preparing and presenting the materials before the audience using traditional PowerPoint presentations. The study revealed that the overall mean score of the participants’ presentation skills was 4.07 ± 0.56, including a mean score of 3.98 ± 0.62 for the participants’ presentation skills during the preparation of presentation content before the classroom presentation and a mean score of 4.18 ± 0.78 for the participants’ mastery of learning content before the classroom presentation. Moreover, the study revealed a mean score of 4.07 ± 0.71 for participants’ ability to prepare presentation materials for classroom presentations and a mean score of 4.04 ± 0.76 for participants’ ability to share the presentation materials in the classroom, as indicated in Table  3 [ 46 ].

Factors Associated with participants’ presentation skills through traditional powerPoint presentation

The current study revealed that the participants’ study program has a significant effect on their presentation skills, whereby being the bachelor of science in nursing was associated with a 0.37561 (P value < 0.027) increase in the participants’ presentation skills.The year of study also had significant effects on the participants’ presentation skills, whereby being a second-year bachelor student was associated with a 0.34771 (P value < 0.0022) increase in the participants’ presentation skills compared to first-year bachelor students and diploma students. Depending on loans as a source of student income retards presentation skills by 0.24663 (P value < 0.0272) compared to those who do not depend on loans as the source of income. Furthermore, exposure to individual presentations has significant effects on the participants’ presentation skills, whereby obtaining an opportunity for individual presentations was associated with a 0.33732 (P value 0.0272) increase in presentation skills through traditional PowerPoint presentations as shown in Table  4 [ 46 ].

Nursing student presentation skills through pecha kucha presentations

The current study assessed the participant’s presentation skills when preparing and presenting the materials before the audience using Pecha Kucha presentations. The study revealed that the overall mean score and standard deviation of participants’ presentation skills using the Pecha Kucha presentation format were 4.54 ± 0.59, including a mean score of 4.49 ± 0.66 for participant’s presentation skills during preparation of the content before classroom presentation and a mean score of 4.58 ± 0.65 for participants’ mastery of learning content before classroom presentation. Moreover, the study revealed a mean score of 4.58 ± 0.67 for participants ability to prepare the presentation materials for classroom presentation and a mean score of 4.51 ± 0.72 for participants ability to share the presentation materials in the classroom using Pecha Kucha presentation format as indicated in Table  5 [ 46 ].

Comparing Mean scores of participants’ presentation skills between traditional PowerPoint presentation and pecha kucha Presentation

The current study computed a paired t-test to compare and determine the mean change, effect size, and significance associated with the participants’ presentation skills when using the traditional PowerPoint presentation and Pecha Kucha presentation formats. The study revealed that the mean score of the participants’ presentation skills through the Pecha Kucha presentation was 4.54 ± 0.59 (p value < 0.0001) compared to the mean score of 4.07 ± 0.56 for the participants’ presentation skills using the traditional power point presentation with an effect change of 0.78. With regard to the presentation skills during the preparation of presentation content before the classroom presentation, the mean score was 4.49 ± 0.66 using the Pecha Kucha presentation compared to the mean score of 3.98 ± 0.62 for the traditional PowerPoint presentation. Its mean change was 0.51 ± 0.84 ( p  < .0001) with an effect size of 0.61.

Regarding the participants’ mastery of learning content before the classroom presentation, the mean score was 4.58 ± 0.65 when using the Pecha Kucha presentation format, compared to the mean score of 4.18 ± 0.78 when using the traditional power point presentation. Its mean change was 0.40 ± 0.27 ( p  < .0001) with an effect size of 1.48. Regarding the ability of the participants to prepare the presentation materials for classroom presentations, the mean score was 4.58 ± 0.67 when using the Pecha Kucha presentation format, compared to 4.07 ± 0.71 when using the traditional PowerPoint presentation. Its mean change was 0.51 ± 0.96 ( p  < .0001) with an effect size of 0.53.

Regarding the participants’ presentation skills when sharing the presentation material in the classroom, the mean score was 4.51 ± 0.72 when using the Pecha Kucha presentation format, compared to 4.04 ± 0.76 when using the traditional PowerPoint presentations. Its mean change was 0.47 ± 0.10, with a large effect size of 4.7. Therefore, Pecha Kucha presentation pedagogy has a significant effect on the participants’ presentation skills than the traditional PowerPoint presentation as shown in Table  6 [ 46 ].

Factors associated with presentation skills among nursing students through pecha kucha presentation

The current study revealed that the participant’s presentation skills using the Pecha Kucha presentation format were significantly associated with knowledge of the Pecha Kucha presentation format, whereby increase in knowledge was associated with a 0.0239 ( p  < .0001) increase in presentation skills. Moreover, the current study revealed that the presentation through the Pecha Kucha presentation format was not influenced by the year of study, whereby being a second-year student could retard the presentation skills by 0.23093 (p 0.039) compared to a traditional PowerPoint presentation. Other factors are shown in Table  7 [ 46 ].

Social-demographic characteristics profiles of participants

The proportion of male participants was larger than the proportion of female participants in the current study. This was attributable to the distribution of sex across the nursing students at the university understudy, whose number of male nursing students enrolled was higher than female students. This demonstrates the high rate of male nursing students’ enrolment in higher training institutions to pursue nursing and midwifery education programs. Different from the previous years, the nursing training institutions were predominantly comprised of female students and female nurses in different settings. This significant increase in male nursing students’ enrollment in nursing training institutions predicts a significant increase in the male nursing workforce in the future in different settings.

These findings on Pecha Kucha as an alternative to PowerPoint presentations in Massachusetts, where the proportion of female participants was large as compared to male participants, are different from the experimental study among English language students [ 29 ]. The referred findings are different from the results of the randomized control study among the nursing students in Anakara, Turkey, where a large proportion of participants were female nursing students [ 47 ]. This difference in participants’ sex may be associated with the difference in socio-cultural beliefs of the study settings, country’s socio-economic status, which influence the participants to join the nursing profession on the basis of securing employment easily, an opportunity abroad, or pressure from peers and parents. Nevertheless, such differences account for the decreased stereotypes towards male nurses in the community and the better performance of male students in science subjects compared to female students in the country.

The mean age of the study participants was predominantly young adults with advanced secondary education. Their ages reflect adherence to national education policy by considering the appropriate age of enrollment of the pupils in primary and secondary schools, which comprise the industries for students at higher training institutions. This age range of the participants in the current study suits the cognitive capability expected from the participants in order to demonstrate different survival and life skills by being able to set learning goals and develop strategies to achieve their goals according to Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive learning [ 41 , 42 ].

Similar age groups were noted in the study among nursing students in a randomized control study in Anakara Turkey where the average age was 19.05 ± 0.2 [ 47 ]. A similar age group was also found in a randomized control study among liberal arts students in Anakara, Turkey, on differences in instructor, presenter, and audience ratings of Pecha Kucha presentations and traditional student presentations where the ages of the participants ranged between 19 and 22 years [ 49 ].

Lastly, a large proportion of the study participants had the opportunity for individual and group presentations in the classroom despite having not been exposed to any presentation training before. This implies that the teaching and learning process in a nursing education program is participatory and student-centered, thus giving the students the opportunity to interact with learning contents, peers, experts, webpages, and other learning resources to become knowledgeable. These findings fit with the principle that guides and facilitates the student’s learning from peers and teachers according to the constructivism theory of learning by Lev Vygotsky [ 48 ].

Effects of pecha kucha presentation pedagogy on participants’ presentation skills

The participants’ presentation skills were higher for Pecha Kucha presentations compared with traditional PowerPoint presentations. This display of the Pecha Kucha presentation style enables the nursing students to prepare the learning content, master their learning content before classroom presentations, create good presentation materials and present the materials, before the audience in the classroom. This finding was similar to that at Padang State University, Indonesia, among first-year English and literature students whereby the Pecha Kucha Presentation format helped the students improve their skills in presentation [ 20 ]. Pecha Kucha was also found to facilitate careful selection of the topic, organization and outlining of the students’ ideas, selection of appropriate images, preparation of presentations, rehearsing, and delivery of the presentations before the audience in a qualitative study among English language students at the Private University of Manila, Philippines [ 23 ].

The current study found that Pecha Kucha presentations enable the students to perform literature searches from different webpages, journals, and books in an attempt to identify specific contents during the preparation of the classroom presentations more than traditional PowerPoint presentations. This is triggered by the ability of the presentation format to force the students to filter relevant and specific information to be included in the presentation and search for appropriate images, pictures, or figures to be presented before the audience. Pecha Kucha presentations were found to increase the ability to perform literature searches before classroom presentations compared to traditional PowerPoint presentations in an experimental study among English language students at Worcester State University [ 29 ].

The current study revealed that Pecha Kucha presentations enable the students to create a well-structured classroom presentation effectively by designing 20 meaningful and content-rich slides containing 20 images, pictures, or figures and a transitional flow of 20 s for each slide, more than the traditional PowerPoint presentation with an unlimited number of slides containing bullets with many texts or words. Similarly, in a cross-sectional study of medical students in India, Pecha Kucha presentations were found to help undergraduate first-year medical students learn how to organize knowledge in a sequential fashion [ 26 ].

The current study revealed that Pecha Kucha presentations enhance sound mastery of the learning contents and presentation materials before the classroom presentation compared with traditional PowerPoint presentations. This is hastened by the fact that there is no slide reading during the classroom Pecha Kucha presentation, thus forcing students to read several times, rehearse, and practice harder the presentation contents and materials before the classroom presentation. Pecha Kucha presentation needed first year English and literature students to practice a lot before their classroom presentation in a descriptive qualitative study at Padang State University-Indonesia [ 20 ].

The current study revealed that the participants became more confident in answering the questions about the topic during the classroom presentation using the Pecha Kucha presentation style than during the classroom presentation using the tradition PowerPoint presentation. This is precipitated by the mastery level of the presentation contents and materials through rehearsal, re-reading, and material synthesis before the classroom presentations. Moreover, Pecha Kucha was found to significantly increase the students’ confidence during classroom presentation and preparation in a qualitative study among English language students at the Private University of Manila, Philippines [ 23 ].

Hence, there was enough evidence to reject the null hypothesis in that there was no significant difference in nursing students’ presentation skills between the baseline and end line. The Pecha Kucha presentation format has a significant effect on nursing student’s classroom presentation skills as it enables them to prepare the learning content, have good mastery of the learning contents, create presentation materials, and confidently share their learning with the audience in the classroom.

The current study’s findings complement the available pieces of evidence on the effects of Pecha Kucha presentations on the students’ learning and development of survival life skills in the 21st century. Pecha kucha presentations have more significant effects on the students’ presentation skills compared with traditional PowerPoint presentations. It enables the students to select the topic carefully, organize and outline the presentation ideas, select appropriate images, create presentations, rehearse the presentations, and deliver them confidently before an audience. It also enables the students to select and organize the learning contents for classroom presentations more than traditional PowerPoint presentations.

Pecha Kucha presentations enhance the mastery of learning content by encouraging the students to read the content several times, rehearse, and practice hard before the actual classroom presentation. It increases the students’ ability to perform literature searches before the classroom presentation compared to a traditional PowerPoint presentation. Pecha Kucha presentations enable the students to create well-structured classroom presentations more effectively compared to traditional PowerPoint presentations. Furthermore, Pecha Kucha presentations make the students confident during the presentation of their assignments and project works before the audience and during answering the questions.

Lastly, Pecha Kucha presentations enhance creativity among the students by providing the opportunity for them to decide on the learning content to be presented. Specifically, they are able to select the learning content, appropriate images, pictures, or figures, organize and structure the presentation slides into a meaningful and transitional flow of ideas, rehearse and practice individually before the actual classroom presentation.

Strength of the study

This study has addressed the pedagogical gap in nursing training and education by providing new insights on the innovative students’ presentation format that engages students actively in their learning to bring about meaningful and effective students’ learning. It has also managed to recruit, asses, and provide intended intervention to 230 nursing students without dropout.

Study limitation

The current study has pointed out some of the strengths of the PechaKucha presentations on the students’ presentation skills over the traditional students’ presentations. However, the study had the following limitations: It involved one group of nursing students from one of the public training institutions in Tanzania. The use of one university may obscure the interpretation of the effects of the size of the intervention on the outcome variables of interest, thus limiting the generalization of the study findings to all training institutions in Tanzania. Therefore, the findings from this study need to be interpreted by considering this limitation. The use of one group of nursing students from one university to explore their learning experience through different presentation formats may also limit the generalization of the study findings to all nursing students in the country. The limited generalization may be attributed to differences in socio-demographic characteristics, learning environments, and teaching and learning approaches. Therefore, the findings from this study need to be interpreted by considering this limitation.

Suggestions for future research

The future research should try to overcome the current study limitations and shortcomings and extend the areas assessed by the study to different study settings and different characteristics of nursing students in Tanzania as follows: To test rigorously the effects of Pecha Kucha presentations in enhancing the nursing students’ learning, the future studies should involve nursing students’ different health training institutions rather than one training institution. Future studies should better use the control students by randomly allocating the nursing students or training institutions in the intervention group or control group in order to assess the students’ learning experiences through the use of Pecha Kucha presentations and PowerPoint presentations consecutively. Lastly, future studies should focus on nursing students’ mastery of content knowledge and students’ classroom performance through the use of the Pecha Kucha presentation format in the teaching and learning process.

Data availability

The datasets generated and analyzed by this study can be obtained from the corresponding author on reasonable request through [email protected] & [email protected].

Abbreviations

Doctor (PhD)

Multimedia Theory of Cognitive Learning

National Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training

Principle Investigator

Pecha Kucha presentation

Statistical Package for Social Sciences

Tanzania Commission for Universities

World Health Organization

International Council of Nurses. Nursing Care Continuum Framework and Competencies. 2008.

Partnership for 21st Century Skills. 21st Century Skills, Education & Competitiveness. a Resour Policy Guid [Internet]. 2008;20. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED519337.pdf

Partnership for 21st Century Skills. 21St Century Knowledge and Skills in Educator Preparation. Education [Internet]. 2010;(September):40. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED519336.pdf

Partnership for 21st Century Skills. A State Leaders Action Guide to 21st Century Skills: A New Vision for Education. 2006; http://apcrsi.pt/website/wp-content/uploads/20170317_Partnership_for_21st_Century_Learning.pdf

World Health Organization. Four-Year Integrated Nursing And Midwifery Competency-Based Prototype Curriculum for the African Region [Internet]. Republic of South Africa: WHO Regional Office for Africa. 2016; 2016. 13 p. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/331471/9789290232612-eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

World Health Organization, THREE-YEAR REGIONAL PROTOTYPE PRE-SERVICE COMPETENCY-BASED NURSING, CURRICULUM [Internet]. 2016. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/331657/9789290232629-eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Haramba SJ, Millanzi WC, Seif SA. Enhancing nursing student presentation competences using Facilitatory Pecha kucha presentation pedagogy: a quasi-experimental study protocol in Tanzania. BMC Med Educ [Internet]. 2023;23(1):628. https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/articles/ https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04628-z

Millanzi WC, Osaki KM, Kibusi SM. Non-cognitive skills for safe sexual behavior: an exploration of baseline abstinence skills, condom use negotiation, Self-esteem, and assertiveness skills from a controlled problem-based Learning Intervention among adolescents in Tanzania. Glob J Med Res. 2020;20(10):1–18.

Google Scholar  

Millanzi WC, Herman PZ, Hussein MR. The impact of facilitation in a problem- based pedagogy on self-directed learning readiness among nursing students : a quasi- experimental study in Tanzania. BMC Nurs. 2021;20(242):1–11.

Millanzi WC, Kibusi SM. Exploring the effect of problem-based facilitatory teaching approach on metacognition in nursing education: a quasi-experimental study of nurse students in Tanzania. Nurs Open. 2020;7(April):1431–45.

Article   Google Scholar  

Millanzi WC, Kibusi SM. Exploring the effect of problem based facilitatory teaching approach on motivation to learn: a quasi-experimental study of nursing students in Tanzania. BMC Nurs [Internet]. 2021;20(1):3. https://bmcnurs.biomedcentral.com/articles/ https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-020-00509-8

Hadiyanti KMW, Widya W. Analyzing the values and effects of Powerpoint presentations. LLT J J Lang Lang Teach. 2018;21(Suppl):87–95.

Nichani A. Life after death by power point: PechaKucha to the rescue? J Indian Soc Periodontol [Internet]. 2014;18(2):127. http://www.jisponline.com/text.asp?2014/18/2/127/131292

Uzun AM, Kilis S. Impressions of Pre-service teachers about Use of PowerPoint slides by their instructors and its effects on their learning. Int J Contemp Educ Res. 2019.

Unesco National Commission TM. UNESCO National Commission Country ReportTemplate Higher Education Report. [ UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA ]; 2022.

TCU. VitalStats on University Education in Tanzania. 2020. 2021;1–4. https://www.tcu.go.tz/sites/default/files/VitalStats 2020.pdf.

Kwame A, Petrucka PM. A literature-based study of patient-centered care and communication in nurse-patient interactions: barriers, facilitators, and the way forward. BMC Nurs [Internet]. 2021;20(1):158. https://bmcnurs.biomedcentral.com/articles/ https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00684-2

Kourkouta L, Papathanasiou I. Communication in Nursing Practice. Mater Socio Medica [Internet]. 2014;26(1):65. http://www.scopemed.org/fulltextpdf.php?mno=153817

Foulkes M. Presentation skills for nurses. Nurs Stand [Internet]. 2015;29(25):52–8. http://rcnpublishing.com/doi/ https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.29.25.52.e9488

Solusia C, Kher DF, Rani YA. The Use of Pecha Kucha Presentation Method in the speaking for Informal Interaction Class. 2020;411(Icoelt 2019):190–4.

Sen G. What is PechaKucha in Teaching and How Does It Work? Clear Facts About PechaKucha in Classroom [Internet]. Asian College of Teachers. 2016 [cited 2022 Jun 15]. https://www.asiancollegeofteachers.com/blogs/452-What-is-PechaKucha-in-Teaching-and-How-Does-It-Work-Clear-Facts-About-PechaKucha-in-Classroom-blog.php

Pecha Kucha Website. Pecha Kucha School [Internet]. 2022. https://www.pechakucha.com/schools

Mabuan RA. Developing Esl/Efl Learners Public Speaking Skills through Pecha Kucha Presentations. Engl Rev J Engl Educ. 2017;6(1):1.

Laieb M, Cherbal A. Improving speaking performance through Pecha Kucha Presentations among Algerian EFL Learners. The case of secondary School students. Jijel: University of Mohammed Seddik Ben Yahia; 2021.

Angelina P, IMPROVING INDONESIAN EFL STUDENTS SPEAKING, SKILL THROUGH PECHA KUCHA. LLT J A. J Lang Lang Teach [Internet]. 2019;22(1):86–97. https://e-journal.usd.ac.id/index.php/LLT/article/view/1789

Abraham RR, Torke S, Gonsalves J, Narayanan SN, Kamath MG, Prakash J, et al. Modified directed self-learning sessions in physiology with prereading assignments and Pecha Kucha talks: perceptions of students. Adv Physiol Educ. 2018;42(1):26–31.

Coskun A. The Effect of Pecha Kucha Presentations on Students’ English Public Speaking Anxiety. Profile Issues Teach Prof Dev [Internet]. 2017;19(_sup1):11–22. https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/profile/article/view/68495

González Ruiz C, STUDENT PERCEPTIONS OF THE USE OF PECHAKUCHA, In PRESENTATIONS IN SPANISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE. 2016. pp. 7504–12. http://library.iated.org/view/GONZALEZRUIZ2016STU

Warmuth KA. PechaKucha as an Alternative to Traditional Student Presentations. Curr Teach Learn Acad J [Internet]. 2021;(January). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350189239

Hayashi PMJ, Holland SJ. Pecha Kucha: Transforming Student Presentations. Transform Lang Educ [Internet]. 2017; https://jalt-publications.org/files/pdf-article/jalt2016-pcp-039.pdf

Solmaz O. Developing EFL Learners ’ speaking and oral presentation skills through Pecha Kucha presentation technique. 2019;10(4):542–65.

Tanzania Commission for Universities. University Institutions operating in Tanzania. THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA; 2021.

The University of Dodoma. About Us [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2022 Aug 22]. https://www.udom.ac.tz/about

NACTVET. Registered Institutions [Internet]. The United Republic of Tanzania. 2022. https://www.nacte.go.tz/?s=HEALTH

TCU. University education in tanzania 2021. VitalStats, [Internet]. 2022;(May):63. https://www.tcu.go.tz/sites/default/files/VitalStats 2021.pdf.

St. John University of Tanzania. About St. John University [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2022 Aug 22]. https://sjut.ac.tz/our-university/

TopUniversitieslist. St John’s University of Tanzania Ranking [Internet]. World University Rankings & Reviews. 2023 [cited 2023 Jul 1]. https://topuniversitieslist.com/st-johns-university-of-tanzania/

Tanzania Nursing and Midwifery Council. TANZANIA NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL THE REGISTRATION AND LICENSURE EXAMINATION GUIDELINE FOR NURSESAND MIDWIVES IN TANZANIA REVISED VERSION. : 2020; https://www.tnmc.go.tz/downloads/

Salim MA, Gabrieli P, Millanzi WC. Enhancing pre-school teachers’ competence in managing pediatric injuries in Pemba Island, Zanzibar. BMC Pediatr. 2022;22(1):1–13.

Iliyasu R, Etikan I. Comparison of quota sampling and stratified random sampling. Biometrics Biostat Int J [Internet]. 2021;10(1):24–7. https://medcraveonline.com/BBIJ/comparison-of-quota-sampling-and-stratified-random-sampling.html

Surucu L, Ahmet M, VALIDITY, AND RELIABILITY IN QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH. Bus Manag Stud An Int J [Internet]. 2020;8(3):2694–726. https://bmij.org/index.php/1/article/view/1540

Lima E, de Barreto P, Assunção SM. Factor structure, internal consistency and reliability of the posttraumatic stress disorder checklist (PCL): an exploratory study. Trends Psychiatry Psychother. 2012;34(4):215–22.

Taber KS. The Use of Cronbach’s alpha when developing and Reporting Research Instruments in Science Education. Res Sci Educ. 2018;48(6):1273–96.

Tavakol M, Dennick R. Making sense of Cronbach’s alpha. Int J Med Educ. 2011;2(2011):53–5.

Madar P, London W, ASSESSING THE STUDENT :. PECHAKUCHA. 2013;3(2):4–10.

Haramba, S. J., Millanzi, W. C., & Seif, S. A. (2023). Enhancing nursing student presentation competencies using Facilitatory Pecha Kucha presentation pedagogy: a quasi-experimental study protocol in Tanzania. BMC Medical Education, 23(1), 628. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04628-z

Bakcek O, Tastan S, Iyigun E, Kurtoglu P, Tastan B. Comparison of PechaKucha and traditional PowerPoint presentations in nursing education: A randomized controlled study. Nurse Educ Pract [Internet]. 2020;42:102695. https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1471595317305097

Mcleod G. Learning theory and Instructional Design. Learn Matters. 2001;2(2003):35–43.

Warmuth KA, Caple AH. Differences in Instructor, Presenter, and Audience Ratings of PechaKucha and Traditional Student Presentations. Teach Psychol [Internet]. 2022;49(3):224–35. http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00986283211006389

Download references

Acknowledgements

The supervisors at the University of Dodoma, statisticians, my employer, family members, research assistants and postgraduate colleagues are acknowledged for their support in an attempt to facilitate the development and completion of this manuscript.

The source of funds to conduct this study was the registrar, Tanzania Nursing and Midwifery Council (TNMC) who is the employer of the corresponding author. The funds helped the author in developing the protocol, printing the questionnaires, and facilitating communication during the data collection and data analysis and manuscript preparation.

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

Department of Nursing Management and Education, The University of Dodoma, Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania

Setberth Jonas Haramba & Walter C. Millanzi

Department of Public and Community Health Nursing, The University of Dodoma, Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania

Saada A. Seif

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Contributions

S.J.H: conceptualization, proposal development, data collection, data entry, data cleaning and analysis, writing the original draft of the manuscript W.C.M: Conceptualization, supervision, review, and editing of the proposal, and the final manuscript S.S.A: Conceptualization, supervision, review, and editing of the proposal and the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Setberth Jonas Haramba .

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate.

All methods were carried out under the relevant guidelines and regulations. Since the study involved the manipulation of human behaviors and practices and the exploration of human internal learning experiences, there was a pressing need to obtain ethical clearance and permission from the University of Dodoma (UDOM) Institution of Research Review Ethics Committee (IRREC) in order to conduct this study. The written informed consents were obtained from all the participants, after explaining to them the purpose, the importance of participating in the study, the significance of the study findings to students’ learning, and confidentiality and privacy of the information that will be provided. The nursing students who participated in this study benefited from the knowledge of the Pecha Kucha presentation format and how to prepare and present their assignments using the Pecha Kucha presentation format.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s note.

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, which permits any non-commercial use, sharing, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if you modified the licensed material. You do not have permission under this licence to share adapted material derived from this article or parts of it. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ .

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article.

Haramba, S.J., Millanzi, W.C. & Seif, S.A. Effects of pecha kucha presentation pedagogy on nursing students’ presentation skills: a quasi-experimental study in Tanzania. BMC Med Educ 24 , 952 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05920-2

Download citation

Received : 16 October 2023

Accepted : 16 August 2024

Published : 31 August 2024

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05920-2

Share this article

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Nursing students
• Pecha Kucha presentation pedagogy and presentation skills

BMC Medical Education

ISSN: 1472-6920

• General enquiries: [email protected]