Over the past few years, parents and teachers may have noticed a decline in stamina and focus when it comes to their students. No matter the learning context, whether it be done remotely, in person, or through a hybrid model, keeping students engaged in learning has become a challenge.

Although it can feel like there are more obstacles than solutions, there are several important things that schools, teachers, and parents can do to boost and maintain student engagement. In fact, when schools, parents, and communities come together, students can thrive academically and personally.

This article will take a deeper dive into what engaged learning is, how to keep students engaged in learning, and why it is important.

What is Engaged Learning?

Engaged learning is exactly what it sounds like; it’s an active process in which knowledge and understanding are acquired through participation, inquiry, involvement, and direct experience. Engaged learning tends to be very hands-on and focuses on relationships between students and the learning material that positively impact and influence students’ commitment to participate. 

In this learning model, students exchange ideas and information with their peers through research, discussions, and ideation to make discoveries based on their choices. Teaching environments that include collaborative, creative activities are at the core of engaged learning. 

Students are encouraged to be active participants in their learning instead of passive receivers of information, with the teacher serving as a facilitator, guiding students to the desired end goal. 

By taking part in engaging learning activities, students have the opportunity to fine-tune their educational and career goals. Children engaged in learning take what they learn in the classroom and apply it to real-life situations.

Why is it Important to Engage Students in Learning?

Engagement is ultimately the glue that keeps all aspects of student learning and growth together. Not only do engaged students make teaching more fun and rewarding, but it has been shown to have a critical impact on other students.  

When students display high levels of behavioral, emotional, and cognitive engagement, they are more likely to excel academically. This results in a stronger sense of connection with their school, peers, and teachers and a more positive social-emotional well-being. 

How to Keep Students Engaged in Learning 

There are so many different practices and approaches to keep students engaged. We’ve detailed a few below that can be used when teaching in-person, remotely, or through a hybrid model.

When these are implemented effectively, and on an ongoing basis, they significantly improve students’ behavioral, emotional, and cognitive engagement. 

Don’t be afraid to test these components if you homeschool your children or ask their teachers if they use these approaches in the classroom. It’s crucial for you as the parent to be informed and involved in your student’s academic education. 

Embed interactive components into lessons

Games, contests, polls, and hands-on activities where collaboration is critical can all be used to promote students’ willingness to participate and to help them stay focused. Research shows that students’ attention starts to fade at around 20 minutes of traditional instruction, so having an interactive lesson component helps bring variety to the session. 

Create emotional and social engagement

Emotional and social engagement is a meaningful way to promote a student’s feeling of belonging and connectedness with their teachers and peers. Evidence-based activities, such as questioning to ask for understanding and graphic outlines, foster students’ emotional engagement in the classroom.

Integrate student interests into the classroom

Integrate students’ interests, hobbies, and favorite shows into lesson plans and activities. For example, if students are interested in animals, a trip to a local pet store or nature reserve can be an excellent learning opportunity. This method connects abstract concepts to real-world scenarios.

There you have it – all you need to know about engaged learning and the benefits of incorporating it into your students’ curriculum. To engage students, we should encourage them to follow their passions and intellectual curiosities, nudging them towards thought-provoking questions, and motivating them to tackle new challenges.

If we, as parents and teachers, take the time to engage students, they will be inspired to excel in and out of the classroom, which will help them be lifelong, productive learners. 

If you feel engaged learning is lacking in your student’s current model, Ivy Camps USA can help. Through our supplemental hands-on summer camps, we ensure your child is engaged and focused with fun activities with peers from around the world!

Check out our upcoming Science & Engineering Summer 2022 Camp. Through this course, your student will discover the exciting world of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics! 

Taught by Ivy League instructions, this course invites students to create original, one-of-a-kind projects. By the end of the camp, your student will gain an understanding of various science topics, along with developing their problem-solving skills. They will even have the chance to showcase their new skills through a final project designed to apply their new knowledge!