Student engagement is crucial in the classroom. Not only does it help the student come out of his or her shell to set an example for the rest of the class – and possibly help develop some leadership qualities -but good student engagement also facilitates further participation from other members of the class. Furthermore, the more engaged students are in a particular class, the more enjoyable it is to attend and teach, both from the perspective of the teacher and the students.
Here are five tips and classroom strategies that you can employ in your classroom as a means of improving student engagement and involvement in the classroom. The first tip is having incentives. Sometimes, all students need is a little push. And that little push can be a certain incentive to encourage students to actively participate in the classroom. Those who actively participate will receive all available points for that particular sector of the curriculum, whereas those who don’t will only receive partial or no credit. Another tip is to build a classroom community. Make sure that all students are treated with respect by their peers. Make sure you set ground rules for discussions, such as all students must first raise their hand. Make sure that students don’t interrupt one another or talk over each other. Ensure that students are properly disciplined if they violate any of the rules. Be consistent! The last tip is to know your students. Take the time to get to know your students. Knowing the personality traits of your students will help you better know when you can call on them or challenge them, even if they don’t offer it up front. You’re a teacher, and while it’s your job to provide a safe, nurturing, learning environment.
By: Priscila Concepcion | Master Teacher I | MNHS – Poblacion | Mariveles, Bataan
