What do you do if student engagement and motivation in the classroom need a boost?

To effectively engage students in the classroom, it's essential to assess their needs by engaging in dialogue with them. While not all students may readily respond, a proven approach utilized in our institution is the "Start, Stop, Continue" feedback method. This method involves soliciting input from students on what they believe the teacher should start doing to enhance classroom sessions, what they recommend stopping, and what they would like the teacher to continue doing. This feedback provides valuable insights for teachers to reflect on and refine their pedagogy accordingly.

The provided list includes good points. I may add that following points can be useful : - in class group work. - using real life examples - in class experiments - having good, friendly but formal relationship with students.

Even in a small group students do tend to have different needs. Even at post-graduate levels some may not open up in terms of communication. Some may be responding more! The option is to personalise the communication and nudge the students to respond. At times teachers tend to have less time at their disposal. So, depending upon the time and situation, motivate students, get down to using their own language and terminology. This helps them to open up and fire their thinking ability.

Provide opportunities for students to make choices about their learning, such as selecting topics for projects or choosing from different assignment options. Incorporate elements of gamification or interactive activities to make learning more enjoyable and engaging for students.

Through gathering multiple sources of data, you can further assess your needs in order to boost student engagement. Consider the following actions in order to gather data: Set aside time to gather input from your students Observe a colleague or mentor's class for ideas Reflect on your recent instructional plans and whether they embed opportunities for student collaboration and discourse

A child’s Motivational level can lower for many reasons ; it could be a socio/emotional need, could be a physical need. Here the teacher may want to check with the child’s family. A quick check in from the social worker can definitely help. If nothing is wrong at home , then probably the child needs a reinforcement system based on his own interest. Here a teacher can do a quick learner profile survey to identify the reinforcers she is going to use to raise that motivational level. The reward system never fails to put children back on track.

Motivation for learners is often very subjective, that’s why personalising their learning experiences makes such a big difference. Design lessons and activities that incorporate students' interests and passions and provide students with opportunities to make choices and have some control over their learning. When students can see the relevance and connection between their own interests, learning styles and the material being taught, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated to learn.

If they are already struggling, then set them something immediately achievable and follow that up with immediate praise to re-engage and enthuse them - make it meaningful though. Long term goals need incremental steps, recognised milestones that can be highlighted to show the gradual progress over time - improved use of key words, knowledge of exam command words, improved use and reference to graphical data. Communicate with home to double up on the praise and rewards. There is nothing better as a parent to hear than positive words about them from another adult.

Nothing seems to have changed in the past 50 years. Good teaching has always involved motivation, building self-esteem, patience, praising, positive reinforcement and common sense. Be a role model.

To engage and motivate students using the SMART method, focus on Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals. Begin by setting clear objectives tailored to students' interests and learning styles. Use measurable criteria to track progress and provide feedback regularly. Break down complex tasks into manageable steps, ensuring they are achievable within students' capabilities. Relate lessons to real-world scenarios to make learning relevant and meaningful. Lastly, establish deadlines to create a sense of urgency and promote time management skills. By implementing SMART strategies, educators can effectively engage and motivate students towards academic success.

Switch things up and create surprise and wonder by approaching a lesson, a unit, or a school week in a different manner, that the students are not used to. Students are curious by nature and will be intrigued by the new journey that you will lead them on. Create small hooks, opportunities for success, and celebrate wins along the way. You will quickly recapture their attention, and more importantly their innate desire to learn.

Active learning by involving the students in the process of teaching-learning will not only enhance engagement of the students, but it will boost their curiosity to learn more. Active learning can be promoted through hands on activities, beyond classroom activities, fun activities associating with day-to-day life examples.

Having students engage in tasks to share their ideas and explain things is vital for student engagement. In Maths, I like to start with some questions on prior learning and have students come up to explain their methods for solving the questions. Students can ask others for help if they get stuck, allowing lower ability students the opportunity to try first and then get help when they are not sure what to do. Having students look at a class example together and then discuss how the problem could be changed to either be more challenging or in a different context gets students to think about the topic and challenge other students to try out their created problem. All of these types of things help students to engage with the material.

It often works well to co-plan the upcoming learning with the students. Engagement begins with student voice. Co-planning also helps to clarify what is to be learned, and why it is important, along with how students can engage.

In a physical education (PE) classroom, active learning can involve incorporating interactive games, team sports, fitness challenges, and peer-led activities. Instead of traditional lectures or drills, focus on activities that get students moving, collaborating, and problem-solving together. This approach not only boosts engagement and motivation but also promotes physical fitness and social interaction among students.

Have you seen that comic with elephant, fish, monkey and other animals participating in a 'fair' test of climbing a tree? You got it. The name of the above-mentioned cartoon is called 'The Education System'. Students disengage from a class for various reasons. We shall see 'what kind of animal' the student is, and check whether the test is fitting for his/her needs. Then, customize the approach to lift the student up, by providing equity, not merely equality, on an individual basis. Thinking back to our student times, was there times that you liked or hated a subject just because of the teacher? Yes. Sometimes, even a kind smile towards the student could go a long way.

Students need to experience success in order to be motivated. The role of a great teacher is to assess each student’s ability and design activities which guarantee success while challenging the student so that this success is valued and not given cheaply.

Motivation for learners is often very subjective, that’s why personalising their learning experiences makes such a big difference. Design lessons and activities that incorporate students' interests and passions and provide students with opportunities to make choices and have some control over their learning. When students can see the relevance and connection between their own interests, learning styles and the material being taught, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated to learn.

I agree… i have differentiated strategies for all of my students… they all learn differently and they all value things differently… when I connect with a student I can usually get to the root of why they are disengaged… once that variable is known, solutions can be directed towards eliminated the variable and engaging in the learning with everyone else… Not every one of my students wants to work in the trades, and that’s fine… but they still participate and most importantly they pitch in… whether it’s sweeping the shop, organizing tools, or cutting and putting material away… everyone has a purpose… make the students feel that way and it becomes really hard to not engage…

It is important to really know the student, as a learner and as a person. Students may lack motivation or engagement for many reasons. By knowing the student, you can ensure that the material you’re using to teach is relevant to them, both academically and culturally. Shifting assignments to cater to students interests and skills gives more access to the material for the student, and makes it easier for a student to engage in their learning. It removes barriers, some which are not always obvious.

As an educator, your work goes beyond content delivery. It is so so important to curate a positive experience for your learners. This can be achieved by building positive relationships with your students. Taking the time to get to know them individually, and showing genuine interest in their lives, creates a sense of belonging. When students feel connected to their teacher and peers, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated.

As a teacher creating a positive teaching and learning environment will increase student productivity. Every teacher needs to apply the basic functions of management in the classroom; Planning, organising, commanding, coordinating and controlling.

In my teaching, I emphasise and endeavour to model adaptability. When morale dips, I instinctively disrupt with a low-stakes activity/engagement, setting aside planned lessons for a moment to distract and play. This shift alleviates the pressures students feel and also reinvigorates their enthusiasm, reminding them that learning can be enjoyable and invigorating.

This is key for me - skilled, passionate teachers have the ability to inspire students in their subject. With the right culture, students will be fully engaged and will learn. That passion has to be there!

Tough love, compassion, empathy and understanding. There is always a kid who has higher emotional intelligence in the clasroom. One way of establishing a positive classroom environment is to tap in and build a relationship with that child. The rest of the class may or may not agree with that child, but they know that child leads. Always tap into those leaders, negative or positive.

Definitely, Engagement in classrooms by sometimes coming to their level of expression, discussions,adopting case study methods,activity based learning ,story telling and cracking relevant jokes in classrooms do help in building an environment that aids in faster grasping and long term returns. I feel ,as a teacher ,first become a student and then start ....

Looking for cycles and patterns is important. If you notice that after the 3rd lesson of the week that engagement and effort are dwindling, plan for it by making the lessons different. Also, let them know you have noticed so that they are also aware and need to play their role more actively. It is always the teachers job to meet the pupils needs, not the other way round. Always be open to changing what you are doing for the benefit of the pupils.

Variety can be created upon reflection and adapting. Through reflection, one will discover what works best and that which may have contributed to the present situation. Allow the learners to take charge of their learning as you facilitate them. In the end, you as educator will have improved their soft skills and also enhanced their ability to take responsibility

As a teacher, it is very important to build good rapport with students and to understand their interests, strengths and challenges and show genuine interest in their well-being. I used to engage students in their learning process through educational games to make learning more enjoyable and engaging. In addition, providing students with differentiated tasks that meet their individual learning needs is another way of engaging them in lessons.

It's always helpful to take a moment to reflect. It might be that the current methods are no longer working and may need to adapt to new ones. Like every child is unique ,every class and year is unique too. In order to avoid a fit for all there is a need to step back , reflect and adapt.

To enhance student engagement and motivation, utilize strategies like interactive lessons, relevance, differentiated instruction, positive reinforcement, goal setting, technology integration, varied teaching methods, relationship-building, feedback, and autonomy encouragement. Gamification, with its game-like elements, such as challenges and rewards, offers immediate feedback and clear goals, stimulating learners' intrinsic motivation and desire for mastery, autonomy, and social interaction. While traditional methods emphasize diverse instruction and personal connections, gamification adds novelty and interactivity, further fostering student interest and participation. Ask yourself why learners are not feeling bored while there are playing?

Diversificar suas estratégias de ensino e oferecer oportunidades para os alunos se sentirem envolvidos e valorizados, você estará criando um ambiente de aprendizado mais positivo e eficaz para todos.

Ensure students are actively involved in the whole learning process and experience. ‘Student voice’ is essential in ensuring teaching and learning is tailored to individual needs and is, in turn, effective. Seeking feedback not only makes students feel valued, it increases our understanding of what drives students to engage (or not). Ask questions such as: What worked well for you? What would you like to change? How does x help your learning? What else would help? Establish what is most effective for students and implement change to teaching strategies; students will engage and succeed and be motivated to learn more. Kickstart an ‘upward spiral’!

Yes I agree. It’s simple, make leaning fun whether it is through interactive or creative activities ?? the aim of education should be to develop life long learners and not to pass assessments.

I think an important part is to be the type of teacher you want to be and you would enjoy learning from. I dress up a lot for different holidays (Halloween, Christmas, Easter) and events (World Book Day, Saint Patrick's Day, Pi Day) and it allows me to add my character into the lessons and make students look forward to having something a little different come around at different times. I also think being involved outside of your lessons with the students helps build a positive relationship inside your classroom. Being a Maths teacher that gets involved in sports, clubs (like MUN), events (such as staff singing and dancing competitions) and other support (like Oxbridge application test and interview preparation) shows students variety.