4 SECRET KEYS TO

ENGAGEMENT
Author :- Robyn Jackson and Allison Zmuda
Group Members – Ms. Kumud Henry,
Mrs. Sunita Jha
Mr. Anil Kumar
 WHEN STUDENTS ARE ENGAGED THEY ARE MOTIVATED TO LEARN

• We need students’ undivided attention to keep up with the pace of learning

• It’s imperative for us as teachers to look for the strategy, activity, resource or
tool that will engage our students and make them eager to learn more
• Compliant learners vs engaged learners
Compliant Learners
• Follow directions and diligently complete assignments.
• Do the task because it is assigned not because it is interesting.
• Respond to straight forward questions
• Usually require support to pursue more complex ideas
• Not ready to take risk
• Easy to identify and manage
• They don’t question and depend on the support of the teacher.
 CONTINUED………

Engaged learners
• Often pursue their own train of thought
• Do the task as they find the task interesting
• Straight forward questions bore them
• Focus on learning and share their thoughts unprompted
• Ready to take risk and try something new
• Difficult to identify and manage
• They question everything and follow an idea even if it takes them outside the
parameters of the assignment
 CONTINUED……

• As teachers we need to design classroom practices

around securing real engagement (of students) that
encompasses the following:-
1.) Growing capacity in our students
2.) Unearth students’ talents dreams and aspirations
3.) Instill perseverance
4.) Focus on hard work
5.) Learning from mistakes
 4 KEYS TO UNLOCK THIS KIND OF LEARNING

• Key 1: Provide Clarity

• Key 2: Offer a relevant context
• Key 3. Create a supportive classroom culture
• Key 4: Provide the appropriate challenge
 KEY 1: PROVIDE CLARITY

What am I asking the students to do?

• Be clear on what you are aiming for.
A) Meaningful assignments should be given.
B) Thought provoking questions should be given that enable the students to go
beyond memorizing.
C) Assignments / tasks should be connected to a clear learning goal.
• Train the students to do the task independently.
• Make the students understand the purpose or aim of the task / assignment.
• Select only those learning activities that will best help in reaching the goal.
• Provide clear structures for helping students reach that goal.
• Show students what success will look like.
 KEY 2: OFFER A RELEVANT CONTEXT

Why is this task important?

Our students need to know that the work they are being asked to do is
relevant and important to them - right now.
• Start with the why of the learning activities.
• Task should be designed for a broader audience.
• Meaningful task
• Help students connect what they are learning to their own lives.
 KEY 3. CREATE A SUPPORTIVE CLASSROOM CULTURE

How do I show my support?

• giving the students space and time
• Low-stress environment
• Cooperative learning
• Unfailing support from the teacher
• anticipate confusion
• identify red flags
• implement progressive interventions
 KEY 4: PROVIDE THE APPROPRIATE CHALLENGE
Balance challenge and skill
How do I balance challenge and skill?
• Offer tasks that cannot be googled
• Offer tasks in which students are asked to :-
1. Frame ideas, questions or predictions?
2. Take action to figure the problem out
3. Learning from failures
• focus on effort rather than ability
• Work should be assigned in groups.
• help students find real meaning in their learning.
• teach students that they can get smarter.
• Build resilience over time.