26 Keys To Student Engagement

26 Keys to Student Engagement
by Angela Maiers
http://www.angelamaiers.com
Authenticity: We hear it all the time, "Why do we need to know this stuff? When
will I ever use this?" There is no doubt that successful learning is directly related
to its relevance, purpose and authenticity. We are more motivated to learn if we
see a clear connection to the purpose and use. If our desire is for students to
engage, the work they do must be significant, valuable, and real.
Brain: The brain is intimately involved in and connected with everything

educators and students do at school. Any disconnect is a recipe for frustration
and potential disaster. Every school day changes the brain in some way. We can
influence and ignite that change when we understand the way the brain learns,
and act accordingly.
Collaborative: Collaborating with others in solving problems or mastering

difficult materials prepares students to deal with the messy, unscripted problems
they will encounter in life. Students are valuable resources for one another. If
they have opportunities to engage and explore topics, assignments, and content
in a collaborative way, understanding and engagement are natural outcomes.
Disengagement: Students are sometimes labeled as lazy, unmotivated, off-task,

and disrespectful. These behaviors can and often are a direct result of
disengagement. When learning involves wondering, dreaming, playing,
interacting, communicating, exploring, discovering, questioning, investigating,
creating - the disengaged become engaged.
Environment: Just as architects create the environments in which we live and
work, we teachers create the place and space that become home to learning.
The decisions we make -- from the arrangement of furniture to the feeling
students experience -- greatly influence conditions of learning.
Feedback: Feedback is a powerful force. It can be a stimulating motivator or a

suffocating inhibitor. Feedback that is specific, non-threatening, and frequent
changes performance, attitude, and behaviors. So, the next time we say, "good
job", we must follow that with, "...and here's why!"
Generative: Learning is about the creation of meaning, value and action on the
part of the learner. Learning is not something you 'absorb', it is something you
create for yourself - mentally or physically. Generative learning is the active
process of process of linking, sharing, re-creating, and co-creating. Engagement
comes about when we encourage learners to construct and produce knowledge
in meaningful ways by providing experiences and learning environments that
promote active, collaborative learning.
Habitudes: You may have observed that the most successful individuals in life
are not necessarily the ones who got the best grades in school. Successful
people learn to be successful because they develop specific attitudes and
behaviors to ensure their success in all aspects of life. We can teach students
the specific habits of preparedness, mindfulness, and persistence to use and
apply when engaging in any task, challenging or otherwise.
Imagination: Einstein said it best: "Imagination is more important than

knowledge." Imagination is key in keeping students motivated to learn and
teachers inspired to teach. It is the fuel for creative ideas and innovative thinking;
yet it can not be mastered. It must be cultivated,nurtured, and celebrated as we
remind our students of what Einstein so wisely demonstrated. Who are we to
challenge such genius?
Joy: Children are learning machines and have untold hours of play and joy...
until... they are "educated" - educated to behave otherwise. If we want a better
class of thinkers and innovators -- people with explosive curiosity and
creativity, we need to bring FUN back into our classrooms. We need giggles
and laughter, enthusiasm and excitement. School can become a place
remembered for the love of learning, if for no other reason than it feels joyous!
Kaizen: Kaizen is the Japanese term for "continuous improvement", a concept

we should take to heart if we want students to achieve their personal and
professional best. Small changes, if done every day,can make a big impact over
time. By creating an environment of Kaizen, reflection becomes part of the daily
work and conversations. Continuous improvement an only be achieved, with
continuous reflection. And with continuous reflection, students will become more
and more engaged in their growth and learning.
Listening: Both learning to listen and listening to learn are critical to literacy in

the 21st century. Listening is a powerful and essential means of developing and
mastering both old and new literacies. Listening is not only part of the
engagement process, it's the first step. In any culture or community, listening first
will earn the right to be listened to.
Motivation Motivation is essential to learning at all ages. Students have the

primary responsibility to own their own learning, yet we have a shared
responsibility in the task. The environments we foster, the cultures we contribute
to, even the aura of a classroom, all make a difference.
Networks: One of my mantras is Together we are Smarter. Students are

connected to friends and family outside the classroom; creating a network inside
the school makes sense too: schoolmates can become brain mates. With tools
like blogs, wikis, and YouthTwitter, networking in school can be as easy and
engaging for them as doing it at home! In fact, there's reason not to do it.
Outside: To really engage students, we must bring and allow some of the their
outside into the classroom (don't groan!). Every student we teach has
something in their lives that is engaging - something they do well AND love. If we
can identity the engaging and creative ways they do their work outside of school
and find ways to bring that into the classroom, students may start to see that
school is not such a bad place after all.
Participatory: Students have come to depend on us for learning to happen -

sometimes. IN reality, most know they can rely on each other these days. They
are becoming a community of learners. If we're smart about it, community begins
within ourselves. Encouraging participation fosters engaged student body.
Engaged learning is active; it is hands-on, minds on, eyes on, and demands
participation at all levels.
Questions: Questions that stretch student minds, invite curiosity, provoke

thinking, and instill a sense of wonder, keep students engaged. Successful
student engagement requires a classroom culture that invites mutual
inquiry, gives permission to investigate open-ended and suggestive questions
Relationships: To grow 'em you must know 'em. Knowing our students seems
obvious, yet many students claim that we do not "get" them. Students want and
need a relationship with us. They work harder and smarter when they know
that their learning matters to us. When students feel valued, honored, and
respected, there is an interest and energy in the process of learning that reaches
far beyond the content we teach.
Self Efficacy: Self efficacy is commonly defined as the belief in one's capabilities
to achieve a goal or an outcome. Students with a strong sense of efficacy are
more likely to challenge themselves with difficult tasks and be intrinsically
motivated. These students will put forth a high degree of effort in order to meet
their commitments, and attribute failure to things which are in their control, rather
than blaming external factors. Self-efficacious students also recover quickly from
setbacks, and ultimately are likely to achieve their personal goals.
Teacher (as student). Students see the teaching part of our persona every day.
We stand before them telling and showing them how wise and passionate we are
about the topics we teach. But, do we stand before them as learners? What
would that do to engagement, if we shared with students how we came to know,
how we faced and conquered learning challenges, and most importantly how we
can help them do the same. Teachers who stand before their class, as learners
first, are more successful teachers because of it.
Understanding A wise saying we're familiar with goes, "seek first to understand
and demonstrate that understanding before seeking to be understood." How do
we demonstrate to our students that we understand and value them; in our
words, with our actions, and by our expectations?
Variety: Variety adds spice to life and to our teaching. We must use a variety of
teaching methods. No matter how gifted a teachers you are, using the same
method to teach each class can become monotonous- for you and the students.
WWW: The information super highway. It is not only the pathway learners in the
21st century seek out and locate information. It is a place where we engage in
the creation, and co-creation of content and understanding.
Xtra: I have heard educators say that there is no time for engagement, there is
too much content to cover. Giving kids time to collaborate, create, talk, and
reflect is just Xtra work. Can we turn "Xtra" into "Xpectation", so engagement is
no longer an option, it is expectation.
You. This alphabet list of student engagement from A to Z will only become alive
if you take these thoughts and ideas and put them into practice — did you notice
the only thing missing from the Corporate Alphabet picture at the start of this
article was “U”? Engaged learning requires leadership. Our leadership reflects
the research and philosophies we believe in and promote: a team of educators
engaging and supporting one another. As a leader, U can coach, model, mentor
and support our colleagues in the process of creating and sustaining engaging
classrooms.
Zeal: Energy and enthusiasm are contagious. One of the best compliments I
ever received from a student, "I did not really like the topic you were presenting
on, but you were so excited, I couldn't help but pay attention!" When we show
kids our zeal and passion for what we believe in, we welcome them to share their
own. Love what you do, and present it with zeal everyday!
Even if it is the 100th time you have presented it, remember it is the first for
these students!
What are your keys to engaging your students? Join me in creating a Student
Engagement Alphabet. Post the alphabet on your own blog and just let me know
you did, so it can be shared!
Check Out More Posts on Engagement Here:
 Angela Maiers Educational Services: Reading as an Act of Engagement

 Angela Maiers Educational Services: Minding the Engagement Gap
 Angela Maiers Educational Services: My Twitter Engagement Formula

26 Keys To Student Engagement

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26 Keys to Student Engagement

Brain: The brain is intimately involved in and connected with everything

Collaborative: Collaborating with others in solving problems or mastering

Disengagement: Students are sometimes labeled as lazy, unmotivated, off-task,

Feedback: Feedback is a powerful force. It can be a stimulating motivator or a

Imagination: Einstein said it best: "Imagination is more important than

Kaizen: Kaizen is the Japanese term for "continuous improvement", a concept

Listening: Both learning to listen and listening to learn are critical to literacy in

Motivation Motivation is essential to learning at all ages. Students have the

Networks: One of my mantras is Together we are Smarter. Students are

Participatory: Students have come to depend on us for learning to happen -

Questions: Questions that stretch student minds, invite curiosity, provoke

Check Out More Posts on Engagement Here:

 Angela Maiers Educational Services: Reading as an Act of Engagement

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