Interactive Microsoft Mix Lessons!

Hi there! To round up our yearly eTips, we will be looking at using Microsoft Office Mix, specifically the creation of quiz and poll assessment within the mix to enhance teaching and learning.

Just in case you are not aware of what Office Mix is, Office Mix is a free plug-in for Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 that empowers users to swiftly convert presentations and slide decks into interactive online lessons!

Yes, with Office Mix, it is really easy, intuitive and quick to mix videos, quizzes and other content to make learning more engaging. This is particularly pertinent for educators as teachers are able to record themselves doing the following:

·         Presenting

·         Writing on the slides

·         Include screen captures and screen recordings

·         Incorporate quizzes, polls and other secure web-based elements

Such recordings could be paused, enabling teachers to collect their thoughts such that they are really assured of communicating what they wish to convey to the learners. The web camera could also be switched on and off. And presenters could also “erase” what they have written on a slide during the recording.

So here is a recap on why Office Mix is so empowering as an ICT tool for teaching and learning!

At the same time, it facilitates pedagogy.

In a nutshell, this really contributes to active learning – vital in this era of higher education and 21^stCentury Learning.  

So, to check on students’ understanding, Office Mix offers the following quiz and poll types:

• Free Response Quiz
• Multiple Choice Quiz
• Multiple Response Poll
• True False Quiz

How to quiz or poll your learners?

Follow the steps to learn how to insert a quiz in your Mix:

Alternatively, you can check out the demo by accessing Slide 7 in the Mix here.

And follow the steps to learn how to insert a poll in your Mix:

Otherwise, you can check out the demo by accessing Slide 13 in the Mix here.

Also, we would like to share with you some Office Mix Hacks that will contribute to an efficient lesson design.

And here are some useful web resources

• Online video tutorials at Office Mix website
• Example Mixes at the online gallery on Office Mix website
• Web article on significance of flipping student and workplace learning for professional development
• Web article on suitability of Office Mix for the ‘Flipped Classroom’ blended learning approach

Overall, Office Mix’s ease of use and myriad of tools offers a good approach for turning presentations into interactive online lessons which students could refer to outside of the classroom anytime and anywhere. Do try it out and share with us how you have used the Quiz function to review students’ understanding. ^_^b 💗