There is a lot of connection between student engagement and overall student learning. “Student engagement is best understood as a relationship between the student and the learning environment” (Martin & Torres, 2000). This includes the school community, the parents, other students, the instruction, and the curriculum. Engagement is three-fold meaning that the teacher must think about ensuring students interact with their learning environment behaviorally, emotionally, and cognitively. Additionally, “student engagement is increasingly viewed as one of the keys to addressing problems such as low achievement, boredom and alienation, and high dropout rates” Martin & Torres, 2000).
Engaged students are more likely to stay in school, which means a better chance at getting a diploma and going into the real-world with a better chance to be successful. “students who are motivated by and engaged in learning tend to perform considerably higher academically and are better behaved than unmotivated and un-engaged peers” (Fredricks, Bulumenfeld, & Paris, 2004).
So, since engagement is so important in the classroom, how can teachers achieve this with technology? Listed below are some ways that technological tools can be used to increase active student participation.
1. Google Forms: This is a way teachers can make quizzes and different assessments for students that are lot more engaging then traditional pen and paper tests. In addition to this use though, Forms can be used to make Google Adventures. This is a virtual way to make a book, or another topic of choice, interactive. More information can be found at https://usingtechnologybetter.com/blog/how-to-use-google-forms-to-make-a-pick-a-path-book/
2. Google Earth: This tool is part of the Google world that allows teachers to “show” students where something is in comparison to other places. The students can experience what a place actually looks like, both in birds-eye view as well as ground level
3. Google Maps: This is similar to Google Earth, but Maps can be used to map out a journey that a character or explorer takes. This is another visually appealing way to boost student engagement.
4. Google Hangouts, Skype, and YouTube Live: All three of these tools are ways for the students to engage with the real world. Either by calling a class across the sea, videoing in a professional, or watching how to do something are all ways that these chat tools can be used.
There is a plethora of other tools to increase student engagement, so I hope after you explore these, you go on to add more into your own classroom!
References
Fredericks, J., Blumenfeld, P., & Paris, A. (2004). School engagement: Potential of the concepts, state of the evidence. Review of Educational Research, 74, 59-109.
Martin, J, & Torres, A. (2000) What is engagement and why is it important? National Association of Independent Schools. Retrieved April 9, 2020, from https://www.nais.org/Articles/Documents/Member/2016%20HSSSE%20Chapter-1.pdf
Thanks for your post Shelby! It is true, student achievement can rise so much when they are actually engaged in the lesson. I really enjoyed this unit because we learned about so many resources that can actually be applied to increase student learning through engagement. I think google forms is a game changer. Not only is it more engaging for students, but also, it makes our lives easier through automatic grading. I also loved learning about google science journal. It is crazy how many opportunities are available through this app!
ReplyDeleteAppreciate so much this detailed perspective on why using and integrating tech in the class can have such a positive and transformative impact on our learning! It is hard to learn new things, but when we stretch ourselves, that's where the growth occurs!
ReplyDeleteGood Job on your post Shelby. I like how you really summarized the individual tech tools that were talked about in this week's class. I still haven't really been able to figure out how to apply Google Maps into a lesson (but hoping to!). Engagement really is key if we want our students to learn. My sister-in-law recently was saying something to me about how I should "Just teach. Don't try to entertain," of which she is both right and wrong. Our lessons should absolutely be focused on accomplishing objectives and goals for our students - but at the same time, there needs to be a level of piquing their interest to motivate them to WANT to learn. I call it "Educational Entertainment." When you can strike the right balance, you can really soar with engagement that is directly tied to learning.
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