Mentimeter works as follows: you make the question visible on the screen and the students (anonymously) answer via their mobile phone or laptop, after which the answers are anonymously displayed on the screen. The student doesn't have to be afraid of others' reactions when their answer is wrong or seems strange. This aligns with the VU pillar of a safe learning environment with acceptance and respect. If a student has a divergent opinion from the majority, Mentimeter offers an easy way to share it. In this way, all students are encouraged to join, which increases participation and contributes to inclusivity.
Tip 1: use the Q&A function
Students often find it difficult to ask the teacher questions during the lecture. They may be reluctant to show that they don't understand something in front of the class. Additionally, they are sometimes afraid to interrupt the teacher, or expect that the answer to their question will come up later. As a result, they typically don't ask their question at all, causing them to miss an important learning moment. With Mentimeter, students can anonymously ask a question at any time via the Q&A function. When a student has a question, you receive a small notification in the bottom right of the slide. As a teacher, you can then choose which moment suits you best to answer this question. Also, you can decide for which slides you want to add this question function.
Tip 2: use GIFs as fun icebreakers
Want to start your lessons off right? Icebreakers provide energy and increase the sense of connection so that you engage your audience from the first slide. You set the tone immediately. For example, use funny GIFs or memes that put a smile on students' faces. Need inspiration? Mentimeter has developed a template library full of icebreaker templates that you can easily copy to your presentation.
Tip 3: group answers for a quick overview
Want to quickly gather different insights by asking an open question to your students? But do you get a lot of long answers, making it difficult to get an overview? Let Mentimeter group the answers by theme, so you can see directly what the most common answers are. Press the space bar during the presentation and Mentimeter automatically groups the answers using generative AI within seconds. This function not only stimulates efficient discussions but also helps students see connections between different ideas, contributing to a deeper understanding of the subject.
Note: this function only works when at least ten students have answered the question.
Tip 4: gain insight into the student’s learning process over time
With the trends function, you can compare the answers to a question over time. This way, you can get a picture of the trends over a longer period. For example, ask at the beginning of a lecture: 'on a scale of 1 to 5, to what extent do you think you already master this subject?' You cover the course material and then ask the same question again at the end of the lesson to determine if the students feel they now have a better grasp of this subject. With the push of a button, the first answers are compared with the new answers. These insights help you improve your teaching: little progress can be a signal to adjust your teaching method, while great progress confirms that your approach is effective. By collecting this data over multiple lectures, you can optimize your curriculum and better align your teaching with your students' needs.
Note: this function only works with a scale question. In addition, the question must be used in the same presentation to be able to compare it.
Tip 5: get the most out of your students with a competitive element
By adding a competitive element, you can increase the energy in the group. The Mentimeter quiz function makes it a spectacle by showing on a leaderboard who gave the best and fastest answer after each question. Who wins? The motivation to win quickly increases, especially if participation has no negative consequences for the students. You can use this competitive element at the beginning of your lecture to activate your students' prior knowledge or during or after to check if they have retained and understood the course material. This not only makes your lesson more fun for your students but also makes learning visible, both for yourself and for your students. Both you and the students gain insight into which topics still need extra attention. Keep in mind that not all students enjoy competition equally. Ensure a balance and also offer non-competitive ways to participate, so that all students feel comfortable and engaged in the lesson.
Want to know more about Mentimeter? Check out the VU Mentimeter tools page.