How To Keep Students Engaged in the Classroom

When students allow their thoughts to wander, they waste time they could otherwise spend learning. If classwork doesn’t catch (and hold) their attention, they will simply find another way to occupy their mind. And since it is the teacher who engages the students, there are many methods and tools to help them achieve desired student engagement.

Focus on Building Meaningful Relationships With Your Students

You can better understand their interests, needs, and learning preferences by building trusting connections with your students. Knowing more about them will enable you to design more appealing and engaging classes. According to the American Psychological Association, meaningful relationships between students and teachers have positive, long-lasting effects for students on both academic and social development. Students who trust you more will show improved engagement in learning, better behavior in class, and greater academic results.

While in class, try to include students in decision-making and acknowledge their needs. Allow them to be heard and let them know their opinions matter. Facilitate healthy communication between students and peers and participate in it calmly and encouragingly. Demonstrate interest in individual students, and by all means, avoid showing impatience or irritability toward students.

Make Use of Technology

Using media to enhance student engagement is a welcome departure from the classroom setting that can sometimes get monotonous. Even though technology can otherwise be a big distraction, properly monitored technology in classrooms can achieve just the opposite. Using Educational Technology (EdTech), you can boost student engagement and improve classroom participation. And this is where screen monitoring comes into play.

By using sophisticated classroom management software, such as Blocksi, you can further improve personalized relationships with your students.

Make Lessons Interesting and Engaging

Concentrate on ensuring that you plan your lessons so students find them engaging and pertinent. Ensure you provide real-life examples and keep the study material relevant and intriguing. This can include practical activities, group projects, and interactive technologies. The latter can again be carried out with the help of EdTech. Use interactive media, such as podcasts, exciting videos, and fun quizzes. You can share such mediums using classroom management software and make sure everyone’s on board. Using screen monitoring, you can be assured all students are doing what they are supposed to and help them out if any trouble occurs.

While planning that, make sure also to include discussions and teamwork, which will further engage students. In planning suitable student engagement, remember to add some playful elements to it. Plan some educational games and creatively add humor to keep students involved. They are indeed more willing and eager to learn when they’re having fun.

Ensure Students Get Frequent and Thoughtful Feedback

Using EdTech tools makes staying on top of all students’ activities more manageable and simplifies keeping all relevant information about students in one place. You can keep track of data on their assignments, attendance, and so on. Providing different types of timely feedback can enhance student performance and improve two-way communication.

As well as reaching out to students, make sure they reach out to you. In addition to being available for them concerning any problems or questions they might have, allow students to provide feedback during lessons. Encourage their participation and allow them to interact and co-create the learning actively.

Effective classroom management must be in place if we want students to stay motivated, focused, and interested in the subject matter. Help them live up to their optimal potential and get the most out of their learning. By achieving proper student engagement, you can make the most of students’ talents, interests, and abilities. You can foster an atmosphere that promotes active learning and involvement by using various teaching techniques, creating a safe setting, and integrating technology. Using your educating power, you will lead students on the journey of education, and later, their journey in life.

SOURCES
[1] Improving Students’ Relationships with Teachers to Provide Essential Supports for Learning