Engaging students in the learning process increases their attention and focus and moves them to more critical thinking. Instructors who adopt a student-centered approach to instruction increase opportunities for student engagement, which then helps everyone more successfully achieve the course’s learning objectives.
Teaching the first day of class
A successful first day can set you down the path toward a successful quarter. Rather than just a time to review your syllabus, the first day is an opportunity to get to know your students, set the tone for the course, and establish expectations.
Learn more about teaching the first day of class.
Helping students re-engage
The pandemic has atrophied many students’ engagement muscles. As a result, they may need a bit of “PT” – not physical therapy, but pedagogical therapy to rebuild those muscles.
Learn more about re-engaging students
Promoting engagement through active learning
Active learning is an instructional approach in which students actively participate in the learning process, as opposed to sitting quietly and listening. Common strategies include question-and-answer sessions, discussion, interactive lectures, quick writing assignments, and experiential learning.
Learn more about active learning
Leading dynamic discussions
While “good” discussions can be a powerful tool for encouraging student learning, successful discussions rarely happen spontaneously. Preparing ahead of time will help you delineate a clear focus for the discussion and set well-defined parameters.
Learn more about leading discussions
Responding to disruptions in the classroom
Passionate disagreement can become disrespectful. That’s when discussion sheds more heat than light, impairing the ability to make arguments based on fact or to listen past preconceptions.
Learn more about responding to disruptions
ChatGPT and other AI-based tools
The strategies on this page can help instructors think about how to communicate with students, set expectations, and develop assignments that increase students’ motivation to develop their own skills and ideas.
Learn more about ChatGPT and other AI-based tools.
Office hours
Office hours give students the opportunity to ask in-depth questions and to explore points of confusion or interest that cannot be fully addressed in class. We provide basic guidelines for planning, scheduling and holding office hours in-person and online.
Learn more about holding office hours.
Particular types of engagement
While the above engagement strategies apply to all learning contexts, some types of engagement require particular strategies. These pages include engagement strategies for teaching problem-solving, leading quiz sections, and teaching in labs.
Learn more about particular types of engagement
FAQs
Enrich the learning environment by actively involving your students in the learning process. The class as a whole will benefit from the many contributions of ideas, perspectives, knowledge, and experiences of one another, in addition to the instructor.
How do you engage students in active learning? ›
Active learning methods ask students to engage in their learning by thinking, discussing, investigating, and creating. In class, students practice skills, solve problems, struggle with complex questions, make decisions, propose solutions, and explain ideas in their own words through writing and discussion.
What is the meaning of engaging learners? ›
What is learner engagement? Learner engagement is a measure that reflects the quantity and quality of a learner's participation in their courses and every other aspect of their educational program. Also, it echoes a learner's interaction and cooperation with co-learners and instructors.
What are the 3 types of student engagement? ›
Behavioral engagement: focusing on participation in academic, social, and co-curricular activities. Emotional engagement: focusing on the extent and nature of positive and negative reactions to teachers, classmates, academics, and school. Cognitive engagement: focusing on students' level of investment in learning.
What does engaging students look like? ›
Engaged students are not just absorbing content, they try to make meaning of what they are studying by putting in intellectual effort and working through challenging ideas. Engaged learners care about the subject, feel motivated or excited to learn, and take ownership of their own learning.
What are the 5 types of engagement? ›
Table of Contents hide
- Cognitive engagement.
- Emotional engagement.
- Conductual engagement.
- Relational engagement.
- Developmental engagement.
Teaching strategies to improve weaker students
- Analyze why and where are students lacking in studies. ...
- Concise lessons with demonstrated examples. ...
- Focus on encouragement and motivation. ...
- Small group discussions and learning. ...
- Effective learning flowcharts. ...
- Healthy feedback.
Five ways to deal with challenging students
- Praise their efforts and their achievements. ...
- Ask them for help. ...
- Give them responsibilities. ...
- Ensure students are clear about your expectations of them in the classroom. ...
- Mirror their body language.
Classroom activities should address student fears about learning
- Ask open-ended questions. ...
- Ask students what they know about a topic before instruction.
- Use more ungraded or credit-upon-completion assignments. ...
- Incorporate student discussion time into activities. ...
- Have students model or explain to other students.
Use practical ways to motivate learners, such as simulations, case studies and scenario-based activities that ring true to experience. That will keep corporate learners interested. Where relevant, design part of the course in a more practical way to incorporate job shadowing or other forms of on-the-job training.
It's generally thought that there are six types of learner engagement: cognitive, emotional, behavioural, social, physical and cultural. Finding the right balance between each is key to creating a fully optimised course of learning content.
What is an example of learner engagement? ›
An example of learner engagement in the workplace is through a group discussion or hands-on activity related to a specific topic or skill. During the discussion or activity, learners actively contribute their ideas, ask questions, and collaborate with peers.
How would you describe an engaging classroom? ›
“Engaging” is defined by Merriam-Webster as “tending to draw favorable attention or interest.” In the classroom setting, this involves allowing individual students to participate in various class activities and class discussions. Students need to feel like they belong at school.
What does engaging education mean? ›
In this concept, students are encouraged to be active participants in their learning (instead of passive receivers of information). Students learn by integrating all of the mind/brain principles as they work in complex ways to develop their intellects and skills.
What are the benefits of engaging students in class? ›
Students who engage in active learning demonstrate increases in social, racial, and ethnic tolerance. They also experience improved cognitive and emotional health and are better able to handle new challenges. These long-term benefits show that engaged learning is more than just memorizing facts and figures.
