Engagement looks different every day in the classroom. For those that teach in the secondary setting ‘ENGAGEMENT’ is different every class period. How do we get our students engaged and keep them engaged?
Making learning RELEVANT.
Students need to see value in being in school and getting an education. I meet with high school students daily that tell me they are ready to get out of school, that they don’t understand why finishing high school is so important. We need to start changing this mindset.One way we can make the learning relevant is through technology. This generation is hooked to technology. Most students cannot go one day without holding or playing on a cell phone, iPad, tablet, or gaming system. So, here is an idea– I was in a Pre-K classroom and in one of the centers the students were coloring a picture of a Merry-go-round. After they colored the picture, they used an i-Pad to hover over the picture to make it “come alive”. This program called Augmented Reality, showed the Pre-K student, what the purpose of a Merry-go-round was, this very simple task made the learning relevant. So, I starting thinking– why couldn’t we use this program in high school science labs. Where they could hover over the digestive system and see it work. Provide purpose, make the learning relevant.
For learning to be relevant to the newer generation– WE must change. WE must take the step to change our way WE teach. It isn’t easy. BUT remember “Encouragement is free”!