This interactive online workshop introduces 'Whytson' a novel mobile application designed to gamify and enhance student participation in educational settings. Traditional methods of eliciting student questions often fail to engage the entire class, limiting the development of critical thinking and social intelligence. Whytson addresses this by providing a structured platform for students to request turns to speak, with instructors providing real-time, qualitative feedback on their contributions. Originally developed and tested in face-to-face bachelor's degree courses, this workshop will adapt the Whytson methodology for online and hybrid environments. Participants (primarily educators and educational innovators) will experience the app from a student's and instructor's perspective, engage in collaborative discussion on its pedagogical foundations, and brainstorm implementation strategies for their own contexts. The session is grounded in constructivist learning theories, neuroscience of learning, and gamification principles. Furthermore, the workshop will serve as a live research session to validate our instruments (measuring empathy, critical thinking, technology adoption, and engagement) with an expert audience. Attendees will leave with a practical understanding of how technology can be used to foster a culture of respectful, empathetic, and high-quality classroom dialogue.
