It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when the energy in a classroom shifts from curious engagement to passive compliance, yet experienced teachers recognize the signs immediately. Students slouch a little lower in their chairs, their eyes drift toward the clock, and the questions you worked so hard to prepare land with a thud in the silence. … Read more
Searching for student engagement tips that will actually transform your classroom into what you have always envisioned can be daunting. You see strategies that make sense in theory, others that would “never” work with your kids, and honestly? It is scary to try something new when you are already exhausted, and the rest of the … Read more
It’s no secret that there is a direct correlation between student engagement and academic performance, but many teachers are unsure how to consistently make that connection so it sticks. After teaching over 1,700 students, first at a nationally ranked academic high school, then at a Title I CTE school, and now training K-12 teachers on … Read more
I started teaching high school history in 2007, back when “engagement measurement” meant scanning the room during a lecture and hoping the kids in the back weren’t passing notes. I taught in two vastly different worlds over my time in the classroom…first at a nationally ranked academic school where students stressed over tenths of a … Read more
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 best practices for student engagement aren’t something you master and file away. They’re something you live, adjust, and … 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