Part 1 of the “Active Learning Strategies with Engageli Tables” series
With the right tools and teaching strategies, online learning doesn't have to mean passive learning. Virtual classrooms have challenged educators to recreate collaborative energy online, but it's also opened new possibilities for flexible student engagement that weren't possible in traditional lecture halls or training rooms. When students move from watching to doing, from listening to discussing, from individual work to collaborative problem-solving, learning becomes more engaging and more effective.
Engageli's table architecture addresses this challenge by creating small group environments where students can collaborate naturally. Unlike video conferencing breakouts where students are in isolated rooms, Engageli tables allow small groups of up to 10 students to work together with shared tools and focused discussions, while instructors can monitor and support multiple groups simultaneously.
This article is part of a new blog series showcasing active learning techniques you can run using Engageli’s table architecture. We’ll post links to the full series below as it’s published, so check back!
Why Engageli tables work for active learning
Research shows active learning substantially improves student outcomes compared to traditional lectures. The key is moving students from passive consumption to active participation, but this requires intentional design and strategic implementation.
The cognitive science behind active learning reveals several important principles. When students know they'll need to respond or contribute, they listen differently and process information more deeply. This anticipation activates what researchers call desirable difficulties - cognitive challenges that strengthen learning and retention.
Engageli tables make this possible by:
- Creating intimate spaces for peer interaction where every voice can be heard
- Allowing instructors to monitor multiple conversations and provide targeted support
- Enabling seamless transitions between individual reflection, small group discussion, and large group synthesis
- Supporting both synchronous and asynchronous collaboration through persistent workspaces
- Reducing social anxiety that can inhibit participation in larger group settings
The psychological safety created by small group environments encourages students to take intellectual risks, ask questions, and engage with ideas more authentically than they might in front of an entire class.
Student engagement levels during a table exercise in Engageli.
Active learning strategy 1: Think-Pair-Share
Best for: Building complex understanding through layered discussions
Time needed: 20-30 minutes
Setup: Individual → pair/table discussion → whole class synthesis
Think–Pair–Share is a foundational active learning technique that encourages every student to engage with a question before a class-wide discussion begins. Students first reflect individually, then share and refine ideas in pairs or small groups, and finally bring those insights into a full-class conversation.
Some educators also refer to this approach as a pyramid discussion or snowball discussion, especially when small groups build progressively into larger ones.
The learning science behind Think-Pair-Share
Think-Pair-Share mirrors natural learning processes. In real-world problem-solving, we often start with individual reflection, move to small group discussion, and then share insights with larger communities. This strategy recreates that natural flow in the virtual environment, giving students multiple opportunities to engage with content at different levels of complexity and social interaction.
The power of this approach lies in how it builds confidence and understanding progressively. Students who might hesitate to share ideas with a large group feel more comfortable contributing in pairs, and those initial contributions become the foundation for more sophisticated discussions in larger groups.
Why it works with Engageli
Engageli’s tables are purpose-built for learning strategies like Think–Pair–Share. Unlike traditional breakout rooms that cut students off from the instructor, Engageli tables:
- Allow quick and easy transitions between solo work, pair/group discussion, and whole-class synthesis
- Support persistent notes, whiteboards, and polls to document thinking
- Let instructors use "peek" mode to observe and support small groups in real time
- Keep learners connected while creating psychological safety for participation
Step-by-step implementation guide
Phase 1: Individual thinking (5 minutes)
Begin this activity in Room Mode with learner microphones muted.
Present an open-ended question or scenario that requires analysis rather than simple recall. Give students time to think through their initial response without the influence of peers. This individual processing time is crucial: it ensures that each student comes to the group discussion with their own perspective rather than simply adopting the first idea they hear.
Example prompt: "What’s one flaw or gap in the argument presented in this week’s case study?"
Have students write down their initial thoughts using Engageli's built-in notes feature. This creates a record of their thinking that can be built upon in subsequent phases. The act of writing also helps consolidate their ideas and make them easier to share with others.
Phase 2: Pair (or table) discussion (7-10 minutes)
Use Engageli's table assignment feature to create pairs or small groups, then switch the audio to Table Mode. At this stage, learners discuss and collaborate using the table whiteboard. The goal isn't just to share individual ideas, but to build on them through shared understanding. Encourage students to ask clarifying questions, identify connections between different perspectives, and develop more sophisticated understanding together.
Each table group should have a shared whiteboard that they can use to visually represent their thoughts and ideas. Ask them to document 2-3 key takeaways or unresolved questions on the whiteboard.
Monitor conversations using Engageli's "peek" feature. Listen for misconceptions that need addressing, insights that should be shared with the full class, and groups that might need additional guidance or challenge.
Phase 3: Whole-class sharing (7-10 minutes)
Bring everyone back together in Room mode. Ask them to share their insights with the full class, but focus on patterns, disagreements, and connections rather than just individual reports. Use this phase to address misconceptions, highlight particularly insightful approaches, and help students see how different perspectives contribute to fuller understanding.
Additional ways to share beyond having students raise their hands and speak at the podium:
- Use presentation mode to share table whiteboards with the class
- Launch a live poll or word cloud to gather reflections
- Prompt students to summarize in the chat before moving on
Have all students take pictures of each table’s whiteboard and save it to their notes for future reference.
Quick tips for success
- Choose problems with multiple valid approaches to encourage diverse thinking
- Provide a slide with clear written instructions for each phase, including time limits and expectations
- Reconfigure tables in the moment to create different groupings if needed
- Have backup questions ready if groups finish early or need additional challenge
Real-world example: Think-Pair-Share in an ethics class
In an online ethics course, students were asked to assess whether a company’s marketing campaign crossed an ethical line. To encourage participation and critical thinking, the instructor used the Think-Pair-Share active learning technique.
- Think: Each student formed their own opinion and justification.
- Pair: In small table groups, students debated interpretations and identified cultural, legal, and financial considerations.
- Share: The class surfaced patterns: many agreed on the problem, but proposed different remedies. This resulted in a richer, more nuanced discussion than a cold-call Q&A.
Turning ideas into active learning
Think–Pair–Share may be simple, but its impact is powerful, especially when adapted for the online environment. By giving every student space to think, time to build confidence in a small group, and the chance to contribute meaningfully to the whole class, you create a structure where engagement is encouraged and expected.
With Engageli’s table features, this is easy. You can see where students are participating, listen in as ideas develop, and bring insights forward without losing anyone along the way. It’s active learning with purpose. And this is just one of many strategies that become more effective when supported by the right platform.
Want more strategies like this? Check back for the next implementation guide in the series!
Or, see how Engageli can help you make your online classroom more active and engaging.