Every day our world is constantly changing, evolving, re-focusing, and with these new developments come new challenges for teachers and students. Over the last 10 to 20 years, the lives of our students have been on a constant cycle of physical, mental and psychological change, processes that have irreparably affected the development, structure, and expectations of the youthful mind.
Today, our students demand more of us than they have ever expected before, a reality born from the new styles, and sources of stimulation that they get from the various forms of technology that are constantly entering into their lives.
Gone are the days when a teacher could automatically expect to achieved varying degrees of success through a traditionally structured and disciplined classroom. Today, the mentality and learning environment demanded by students has changed to such a degree that teachers can no longer merely demand that their students passively sit quietly and study, but that teachers must become equal partners in the learning process, a role where creativity and respect have become but a few of the foundation requirements for success.
I was once asked the question ‘How can I use the Word ‘Demand’ when it comes to education, students requirements, and expectations?’ Well, that's easy. Years ago, in many cases, the expectations from parents and students was different, children were sent to school, and the methods and results were never questioned. Parents generally trusted that if their children studied hard, that they would achieve, and when failure occurred, it was rare for the burden of blame to be laid at the feet of the teacher or school. Today, in most cases, that mentality has been reversed, with the burden of failure often being firmly moved from the student to the educational institution, especially when the school presents a system of education that is outdated, inflexible or passive.
Today, students need, no, they demand a learning environment based upon respect and partnership, an active environment that develops their creativity, that allows their imagination to flourish, that promotes free thinking, teamwork, and cooperation. Today, students demand to be pushed, to be challenged, and for education to be both scholarly and entertaining. Today, students need to feel connected to their learning, and the many processes and facets that dictates the manner in which they learn.
But, how can we connect our students to their process of learning, what mentality, what methodology needs to be put in place in order for our students to study with enthusiasm, and the subsequent success that would accompany it? How can we successfully engage our students in the classroom?
INTRODUCE THE FAMILIAR
Today, we need to bring the students real world into the classroom and to use it as a tool to base many of our classes upon. Find out what your students like to do, what their interests are and what their expectations are. This can be done either through a series of regular classroom meetings, or, by preparing a questionnaire for them to complete. Using the information that is learned from these processes will help you to prepare activities where your students will see the connection between what they're learning in the classroom and the relevance that it has to their everyday lives.
INCLUDE STUDENTS INTERESTS AND PASSIONS.
If you want students that are happy, that are enthusiastic about coming to class, then the principle of including their interests, their hobbies, anything that they are passionate about into the learning process will undoubtedly heighten the success of your results. For example, let students choose a book of their own to include in reading activities, get students to make hand puppets that they can use to speak on their behalf as a way to overcome shyness and increase fluency, have an old-fashioned ‘Show and Tell’ session or maybe even get them to create a video or PowerPoint presentation that directly relates to their life, and their interests. Including your students' interests and passions into the framework of your methodology will undoubtedly reap measurable rewards.
STUDENT INPUT
The days of education being an institutional dictatorship where students are expected to sit and accept everything that is put before them should now be a tenet that is long gone, having been replaced with the principles of open learning where students are asked to contribute to how they are taught. Give students a description of the objectives that need to be achieved, and ask them for input on how it can be taught. Obviously, not every suggestion will be acceptable, but, by giving students the opportunity to contribute, you will empower them with the feeling that they and their ideas are being respected. Imagine how students will feel if the class successfully completes activities or projects that have followed suggestions that they themselves had put forward. Now obviously you cant run a class this way for every activity, every day, but, by having 2 or 3 activities a month where students are able to contribute will be more than sufficient to raise the level of enthusiasm that students will feel for their classes.
VARY THE METHODS IN WHICH MATERIALS AND INFORMATION ARE PRESENTED TO THE STUDENTS.
Every student in every classroom learns differently. Integrate different activities as a way to enhance student engagement and productivity. Do this by investigating different methodological approaches and themes. Don't rely solely upon books, or old-fashioned, passive techniques, incorporate games, music, presentations, projects, challenges or any other activity that nurtures their creativity and feeds their enthusiasm. When you give students the opportunity to let their creativity and imagination fly free, then in the majority of cases, you will see them achieve results that are above what is considered to be the norm.
STUDENTS ARE HUMAN, JUST LIKE US.
For student engagement to be 100% successful, then 100% of students need to be engaged, no matter who the student is, or the problems that they present the teacher. I think that teachers, when dealing with disruptive or challenging students, sometimes forget that they too suffer through life's problems. Like us, students feel pain, both emotional and physical. They feel sadness, disappointment, confusión, anger and the whole other plethora of emotions that can affect their behavior and learning outcome. Students live with problems such as being in a single parent family, domestic violence, parents with drug or alcohol addictions, abuse or many other dilemmas that present obstacles to their normal social development.
For many problematic students, school, and especially their teachers, become the target for the venting of their frustrations and pent-up anger, a fact that affects both the smooth running of the classroom, and sometimes, the attitude and/or results of the other students.
Traditionally, teachers and schools have adopted a reactionary attitude believing that punishment is the answer to everything when all that the students are really doing is crying out for attention, and an understanding, sympathetic ear to listen to them
But, how do we as teachers weave our way through this complicated maze so as to be able to engage these students equally, and effectively into the normal classroom learning environment?
There are three things which I have done, and in the majority of cases, they have worked very well for me.
EAR AND SHOULDER. Open your heart, open your mind, open your ear and give these students your shoulder to lean, or cry on. It’s never easy cracking through the shell that many students build around themselves to protect them from their problems, but I have found that through persistence, kindness, and a lot of listening, it is possible. Take the time, it is worth it.
ALLOCATE RESPONSIBILITY. Another method that I have used many times is to promote troublesome students into a position of responsibility in the class. Make them your assistants, give them duties that they must do each and every class, and then every day, praise them for their efforts and tell them that you are proud of them. It’s amazing how many students never hear words of encouragement or positive reinforcement.
GIVE THEM A VOICE. Invite these students to contribute ideas and suggestions to the class, and give them positive feedback for their efforts. For many students, they often live in an environment where they are ridiculed on a daily basis, and to receive praise is often the best way to get them to become a positive member of the class.
As I said at the beginning, student engagement needs to include all students, not just the good ones, and though we are not psychologists, nor the students' parents, we can often be the least threatening alternative for students when they need someone to share their problems with.
In conclusión, a class that is based on a high level of student engagement is a successful class. I hope that these ideas help you to form a more productive learning environment in your classrooms.
Today, our students demand more of us than they have ever expected before, a reality born from the new styles, and sources of stimulation that they get from the various forms of technology that are constantly entering into their lives.
Gone are the days when a teacher could automatically expect to achieved varying degrees of success through a traditionally structured and disciplined classroom. Today, the mentality and learning environment demanded by students has changed to such a degree that teachers can no longer merely demand that their students passively sit quietly and study, but that teachers must become equal partners in the learning process, a role where creativity and respect have become but a few of the foundation requirements for success.
I was once asked the question ‘How can I use the Word ‘Demand’ when it comes to education, students requirements, and expectations?’ Well, that's easy. Years ago, in many cases, the expectations from parents and students was different, children were sent to school, and the methods and results were never questioned. Parents generally trusted that if their children studied hard, that they would achieve, and when failure occurred, it was rare for the burden of blame to be laid at the feet of the teacher or school. Today, in most cases, that mentality has been reversed, with the burden of failure often being firmly moved from the student to the educational institution, especially when the school presents a system of education that is outdated, inflexible or passive.
Today, students need, no, they demand a learning environment based upon respect and partnership, an active environment that develops their creativity, that allows their imagination to flourish, that promotes free thinking, teamwork, and cooperation. Today, students demand to be pushed, to be challenged, and for education to be both scholarly and entertaining. Today, students need to feel connected to their learning, and the many processes and facets that dictates the manner in which they learn.
But, how can we connect our students to their process of learning, what mentality, what methodology needs to be put in place in order for our students to study with enthusiasm, and the subsequent success that would accompany it? How can we successfully engage our students in the classroom?
INTRODUCE THE FAMILIAR
Today, we need to bring the students real world into the classroom and to use it as a tool to base many of our classes upon. Find out what your students like to do, what their interests are and what their expectations are. This can be done either through a series of regular classroom meetings, or, by preparing a questionnaire for them to complete. Using the information that is learned from these processes will help you to prepare activities where your students will see the connection between what they're learning in the classroom and the relevance that it has to their everyday lives.
INCLUDE STUDENTS INTERESTS AND PASSIONS.
If you want students that are happy, that are enthusiastic about coming to class, then the principle of including their interests, their hobbies, anything that they are passionate about into the learning process will undoubtedly heighten the success of your results. For example, let students choose a book of their own to include in reading activities, get students to make hand puppets that they can use to speak on their behalf as a way to overcome shyness and increase fluency, have an old-fashioned ‘Show and Tell’ session or maybe even get them to create a video or PowerPoint presentation that directly relates to their life, and their interests. Including your students' interests and passions into the framework of your methodology will undoubtedly reap measurable rewards.
STUDENT INPUT
The days of education being an institutional dictatorship where students are expected to sit and accept everything that is put before them should now be a tenet that is long gone, having been replaced with the principles of open learning where students are asked to contribute to how they are taught. Give students a description of the objectives that need to be achieved, and ask them for input on how it can be taught. Obviously, not every suggestion will be acceptable, but, by giving students the opportunity to contribute, you will empower them with the feeling that they and their ideas are being respected. Imagine how students will feel if the class successfully completes activities or projects that have followed suggestions that they themselves had put forward. Now obviously you cant run a class this way for every activity, every day, but, by having 2 or 3 activities a month where students are able to contribute will be more than sufficient to raise the level of enthusiasm that students will feel for their classes.
VARY THE METHODS IN WHICH MATERIALS AND INFORMATION ARE PRESENTED TO THE STUDENTS.
Every student in every classroom learns differently. Integrate different activities as a way to enhance student engagement and productivity. Do this by investigating different methodological approaches and themes. Don't rely solely upon books, or old-fashioned, passive techniques, incorporate games, music, presentations, projects, challenges or any other activity that nurtures their creativity and feeds their enthusiasm. When you give students the opportunity to let their creativity and imagination fly free, then in the majority of cases, you will see them achieve results that are above what is considered to be the norm.
STUDENTS ARE HUMAN, JUST LIKE US.
For student engagement to be 100% successful, then 100% of students need to be engaged, no matter who the student is, or the problems that they present the teacher. I think that teachers, when dealing with disruptive or challenging students, sometimes forget that they too suffer through life's problems. Like us, students feel pain, both emotional and physical. They feel sadness, disappointment, confusión, anger and the whole other plethora of emotions that can affect their behavior and learning outcome. Students live with problems such as being in a single parent family, domestic violence, parents with drug or alcohol addictions, abuse or many other dilemmas that present obstacles to their normal social development.
For many problematic students, school, and especially their teachers, become the target for the venting of their frustrations and pent-up anger, a fact that affects both the smooth running of the classroom, and sometimes, the attitude and/or results of the other students.
Traditionally, teachers and schools have adopted a reactionary attitude believing that punishment is the answer to everything when all that the students are really doing is crying out for attention, and an understanding, sympathetic ear to listen to them
But, how do we as teachers weave our way through this complicated maze so as to be able to engage these students equally, and effectively into the normal classroom learning environment?
There are three things which I have done, and in the majority of cases, they have worked very well for me.
EAR AND SHOULDER. Open your heart, open your mind, open your ear and give these students your shoulder to lean, or cry on. It’s never easy cracking through the shell that many students build around themselves to protect them from their problems, but I have found that through persistence, kindness, and a lot of listening, it is possible. Take the time, it is worth it.
ALLOCATE RESPONSIBILITY. Another method that I have used many times is to promote troublesome students into a position of responsibility in the class. Make them your assistants, give them duties that they must do each and every class, and then every day, praise them for their efforts and tell them that you are proud of them. It’s amazing how many students never hear words of encouragement or positive reinforcement.
GIVE THEM A VOICE. Invite these students to contribute ideas and suggestions to the class, and give them positive feedback for their efforts. For many students, they often live in an environment where they are ridiculed on a daily basis, and to receive praise is often the best way to get them to become a positive member of the class.
As I said at the beginning, student engagement needs to include all students, not just the good ones, and though we are not psychologists, nor the students' parents, we can often be the least threatening alternative for students when they need someone to share their problems with.
In conclusión, a class that is based on a high level of student engagement is a successful class. I hope that these ideas help you to form a more productive learning environment in your classrooms.
Good luck and good teaching
Originally published 2014. Republished 2018
Originally published 2014. Republished 2018
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