Question
Why are plenary activities important to effective lesson planning?
Answer
Plenary activities are crucial in effective lesson planning as they provide opportunities for student involvement, knowledge exploration, and the integration of teaching elements. These activities help consolidate learning and assess student understanding, making them an essential component of the teaching-learning process.
Importance of Plenary Activities
Student Involvement and Knowledge Exploration: Plenary sessions allow students to link abstract concepts to professional practice and integrate various teaching elements, enhancing their understanding and application of knowledge (Lange, Wittek and Fossland, 2020). They also create a zone of proximal development, enabling students to transition from spontaneous to scientific concepts through critical and reflective inquiry (Gade and Blomqvist, 2018).
Assessment and Consolidation: Plenary activities serve as a tool for teachers to monitor and assess student understanding, consolidating learning by reflecting on previous formative assessments (Watt and Burrell, 2006). This helps in identifying areas where students may need further support or clarification.
Adaptation to Classroom Dynamics: The use of plenary sessions can be adapted to accommodate new classroom dynamics, such as the integration of technology like smartphones, which alters participation patterns but can enhance engagement if managed effectively (Sahlström, Tanner and Valasmo, 2019).
Benefits in Lesson Planning
Structured Learning: Effective lesson planning, including plenary activities, ensures that teaching objectives, activities, and methods are well-organised, leading to productive learning experiences (Kola, 2019; Zahorik, 1970). It allows teachers to evaluate and refine their instructional strategies continuously.
Enhanced Engagement: Plenary activities, when incorporated into lesson plans, can increase student engagement and participation, fostering a more interactive and dynamic learning environment (Abdulayeva, 2024; Lwin and Kyaw, 2019).
Conclusion
Plenary activities are a vital part of lesson planning, offering a structured approach to enhance student involvement, assess understanding, and integrate learning elements. They support teachers in creating engaging and effective educational experiences, ultimately improving learning outcomes.
References
Lange, T., Wittek, A., & Fossland, T., 2020. Plenary Teaching: Examining Opportunities for Student Involvement and Knowledge Exploration in Large Classroom-Settings. **, pp. 135-153. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-41757-4_8
Gade, S., & Blomqvist, C., 2018. Investigating everyday measures through exploratory talk: whole class plenary intervention and landscape study at grade four. Cultural Studies of Science Education, 13, pp. 235-252. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11422-016-9784-Y
Watt, H., & Burrell, A., 2006. Making the plenary session count. Education 3-13, 34, pp. 11 – 18. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004270500507537
Sahlström, F., Tanner, M., & Valasmo, V., 2019. Connected youth, connected classrooms. Smartphone use and student and teacher participation during plenary teaching. Learning, Culture and Social Interaction. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.LCSI.2019.03.008
Kola, M., 2019. Pre-service teachers’ action research: technology education lesson planning in a South African University. Educational Action Research, 29, pp. 99 – 117. https://doi.org/10.1080/09650792.2019.1686043
Zahorik, J., 1970. The Effect of Planning on Teaching. The Elementary School Journal, 71, pp. 143 – 151. https://doi.org/10.1086/460625
Abdulayeva, A., 2024. THE ROLE OF LESSON PLANNING AND DESIGN IN THE LEARNING PROCESS. Bulletin of Dulaty University. https://doi.org/10.55956/xhpi2655
Lwin, S., & Kyaw, T., 2019. Enhancing an Effective EFL Classroom through Lesson Planning. International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development.
Brown, K. (2009) Classroom Starters and Plenaries: Creative Ideas across the Curriculum. London: Continuum.
