Ask any educator what keeps them up at night, and somewhere in the answer, you’ll find the struggle to create meaningful connections. After almost a decade of observing schools across every level, from rural elementary schools to urban community colleges to elite research universities, one pattern emerges clearly: student engagement event ideas aren’t about what … Read more
When I started my first year teaching high school social studies back in 2007, I thought student engagement meant keeping everyone busy and entertained. I spent countless Sunday evenings hunting for flashy activities, convinced that if my students were laughing and moving, they were learning. I was wrong. In 2018, I became an instructional coach … Read more
Here’s what I know about student engagement goals after almost 20 years in various classrooms: they’re almost always too small. We set goals like “increase participation” or “get through the curriculum without losing them.” But I’ve watched too many teachers, myself included, confuse compliance with connection. A quiet room isn’t necessarily a learning room. Raised … Read more
I started teaching high school history in 2007, back when “engagement” still meant hoping the overhead projector bulb didn’t burn out mid-lecture. Over 1,700 students later and in the midst of the current student apathy crisis, I’ve learned that student engagement best practices aren’t something you master and file away. They’re something you live, adjust, … Read more
One of the most frequent and pressing questions I hear from educators, from elementary school to higher education institutions, is for strategies for increasing student engagement. We’ve all faced the quiet room, the glazed eyes, and yes, the challenge of that “one kid” who seems impervious to our best efforts. While no method is a … Read more
When March 2020 arrived, schools around the world closed their doors. Learning from a computer screen became the sudden norm. Teachers worked hard to provide instruction during a time of great uncertainty. They used digital tools to reach students. This period created a major misunderstanding. Many people called this “virtual learning” or “blended learning.” In … Read more
I’ll be honest with you…when I first heard about student engagement surveys years ago, I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly strained something. Another thing to add to the plate? Another data point to track? I was already drowning in grading, lesson planning, and trying to remember if I’d eaten lunch before my sixth-period … Read more
Creating a dynamic and effective learning environment hinges on a teacher’s ability to foster genuine student engagement. This concept of student engagement is multifaceted, encompassing behavioral engagement (actions and active participation), cognitive engagement (critical thinking and the struggle for a correct answer), and emotional engagement (investment and connection to the subject matter). A well-considered plan … Read more
Click above to listen to Podcast Episode 48: “What is Student Engagement (and why is it alluring now)?“ The term “student engagement” is ubiquitous in educational circles, yet its definition often remains elusive. For teachers, administrators, and parents, having a clear, actionable understanding of this concept is the foundational first step toward improving student success. … Read more
Educators today face a uniquely modern challenge. As they strive to ensure their students not only cover but truly comprehend the required curriculum, many feel they are approaching the end of their line. A pervasive myth suggests that the only way to capture the attention of Gen Z and the emerging Generation Alpha is through … Read more
With today’s students, it always seems like it’s the same argument: they’re hard to motivate and then even harder to keep engaged. We’ve all heard the labels…distracted, disaffected, digital natives who’d rather be on YouTube. While that can be a surface diagnosis, it is a matter of digging just a bit deeper to spark genuine … Read more
Student engagement is the cornerstone of effective education, especially when working with Generation Alpha, the first generation to grow up entirely in the digital world. These students are tech-savvy, and creative, and thrive in dynamic learning environments that cater to their students’ interests. To ensure student success, educators must implement student engagement strategies that foster … Read more