How to Keep Students Engaged: Practical Tips for Teachers

"The secret to success is engagement" "Engage your students better" We’ve all heard these phrases, but what do they really mean? Why is student engagement so important, and how can we make it happen in classrooms where a TikTok video often seems more captivating than math? Let’s dive into this topic and break it down together.

Understanding Student Engagement

At its core, student engagement is about the level of attention, curiosity, interest, and passion students bring to their learning. It's not just about keeping students busy—it's about immersing them in meaningful activities that promote deep learning and personal growth. Think about it: You might be busy cleaning the house, counting the minutes until it’s done. That’s not engagement. But if you’re gardening and completely absorbed in it, that’s a different story.

Engagement can be categorized into three dimensions:

• Behavioral Engagement: Active participation in academic and extracurricular activities.
• Emotional Engagement: Positive feelings towards learning, peers, and the educational environment.
• Cognitive Engagement: A commitment to learning, demonstrated by a desire to understand complex ideas and master challenging skills.

Research shows that engaged students are more likely to achieve higher academic success and exhibit positive behaviors. On the other hand, disengaged students often struggle with lower achievement and a higher likelihood of dropping out. And honestly, it makes sense—if we don’t care about something or enjoy the tasks involved, it’s hard to feel accomplished.

Strategies to Enhance Student Engagement

Creating an engaging classroom doesn’t mean you need to turn into a stand-up comedian or launch a TikTok channel. With a few simple strategies, you can make students feel more connected to the subject and the learning process. Let’s explore some practical approaches:

#1 Active Learning: Get Students Moving and Talking

Active learning engages students both behaviorally and cognitively. According to Freeman et al. (2014), activities like discussions and problem-solving boost retention and understanding. Constructivist theories also emphasise that learning is most effective when students actively construct their own knowledge.

How to Implement:

• Start your lesson with a brief lecture or demonstration (5–10 minutes).
• Pause for an activity where students apply what they’ve learned, such as solving a problem, debating an idea, or brainstorming in pairs.
• Incorporate physical movement, like writing answers on the board or participating in polls.

Example:
During a history lesson on the American Revolution, divide students into groups representing Loyalists and Patriots. Have them debate the merits of independence, then discuss how these perspectives shaped historical events.

#2 Connect Learning to Real-Life Scenarios

When students see how learning relates to their lives, they become more emotionally and cognitively engaged. Authentic tasks make learning meaningful. Sharing personal experiences about learning the topic can also create a stronger connection.

How to Implement:

• Start with a real-world question or problem: “Where might you use this skill or idea outside of school?”
• Use examples from daily life or current events to make the topic relevant.
• End by asking students to reflect on how they might use the skill in the future.

Example:
When introducing a topic, share fun facts, stories, or practical applications related to it. Don’t forget to share your own experiences, too—students appreciate relatable stories!

#3 Provide Choices

Offering choices fosters autonomy, which, according to Deci and Ryan’s Self-Determination Theory, increases intrinsic motivation. When students feel in control, they’re more likely to engage.

How to Implement:

• Let students choose how to demonstrate their understanding: an essay, a poster, or a video.
• Ensure all options are equally challenging and aligned with learning goals.
• Highlight that these choices allow them to play to their strengths.

Example:
In a literature class, let students choose between writing an essay analysing a theme, creating a visual story map, or recording a podcast discussing characters’ motivations.

#4 Foster Peer Collaboration

Have you ever noticed students chatting with each other instead of focusing on the lesson? By assigning group tasks, you can harness their natural inclination to connect, turning it into an opportunity for shared learning. Collaborative learning fosters behavioural and emotional engagement by building a sense of community. 

How to Implement:

• Assign group tasks where students depend on each other to complete the work.
• Assign roles (e.g., researcher, writer, presenter) to ensure participation.
• Have groups share their work with the class.
• Tip: some students are more uncomfortable participating in a group project. Make sure that these students can participate in group work in a role that they are comfortable with, or that they can choose to work individually in a given situation.

Example:
During a geography unit, assign each group to research a continent. One student gathers data, another creates visuals, and a third presents the findings.

#5 Use Quick Formative Assessments

Formative assessment supports the learning process by providing feedback on where students are and what they can do to improve. It plays a crucial role in helping students take ownership of their learning. After all, if you have no idea where you’re headed, what would motivate you to keep moving forward?

How to Implement:

• End lessons with a quick exit ticket, like a one-question quiz.
• Use the results to adjust your next lesson or provide additional support.
• Give immediate feedback so students know how they’re doing.

Example:
After a maths lesson on percentages, give an exit ticket with three short questions. Use the results to focus on challenging areas in the next lesson.

#6 Build Strong Relationships

Positive teacher-student relationships enhance emotional engagement and reduce disruptive behaviour. They are also critical for long-term success. If students don’t trust you, they won’t open up, which can weaken their engagement with the material.

How to Implement:

• Take time to learn about your students’ interests, strengths, and challenges.
• Start the day with a check-in, such as: “What’s something exciting you’re looking forward to today?”
• Show understanding when students face difficulties, whether academic or personal.

Example:
Organise regular “well-being check-ins” based on your timetable. These could be anonymous, using a message box, or held as open discussions where students feel comfortable sharing challenges. Encourage them to communicate problems - they’re also a key aspect of maintaining well-being.

#7 Promote Reflection and Metacognition

Have you ever thought about your own thinking and how your brain works? To learn effectively, it’s essential to understand your own thought processes—this is where metacognitive skills come into play. Metacognition enhances academic performance by helping students monitor and adjust their learning strategies.

How to Implement:

• When assigning homework, include a space where students can describe their problem-solving process and how they approached the task.
• After a test or project, ask students to reflect: “What worked well? What could you do differently next time?”
• Encourage the use of learning journals to track progress and set goals.

Example:
After completing a science project, have students write a reflection about what they learned, the skills they improved, and areas where they could grow. This reflective practice can even be integrated into exams for a deeper learning experience.

#8 Use Technology Consciously

Digital technologies can bring a fresh perspective to the classroom—if used wisely. With so many tools available, it’s essential to choose ones that align with your teaching objectives. This ensures that technology supports your goals and engages students in meaningful ways.

How to Implement:

• Select digital tools that directly align with your lesson objectives.
• Balance online and offline activities, ensuring they complement and build on each other.

Example:
Start your lesson with a short warm-up quiz using an interactive tool to gauge prior knowledge. Follow it with a teacher-led explanation of new concepts, and then transition to a brainstorming session using a collaborative online platform. This approach keeps the lesson dynamic and ensures each activity supports the learning objectives.

So, what now?

Engagement is more than just a buzzword; it’s the foundation of meaningful and effective learning. By creating a classroom environment where students feel connected to the material, their peers, and their own potential, you’re setting the stage for lasting success.

Whether it’s fostering relationships, incorporating active learning, or using technology with purpose, the strategies you choose don’t have to be overwhelming. Start with small steps, experiment with what works best for your students, and build from there.

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Sources: 

Ali, M. M., & Hassan, N. (2018). Defining concepts of student engagement and factors contributing to their engagement in schools. Creative Education, 09(14), 2161–2170. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2018.914157

Freeman, S., Eddy, S. L., McDonough, M., Smith, M. K., Okoroafor, N., Jordt, H. & Wenderoth, M. P. (2014). Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering and mathematics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sceinces, 111(23), 8410-8415. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1319030111