Engagement for students is vital in order to give them a sense of connectedness to their learning. For many teachers, this goal can be a challenge, primarily because the kids may not be fully invested in the content that you are teaching them. Despite the difficulties that many teachers face to spark engagement, there are methods you can use in order to boost engagement. There is a litany of creative ways that you can spark curiosity and encourage student participation. Here are some ways that you can do just that.
Take your time
Pausing after asking a question and after subsequent answers can prove to be an effective method for getting students involved in the learning. This involvement occurs because students, especially younger kids, struggle when rushing through questions. Answers also do not help most students because they will need guidance as to how they got to that destination. The second pause after the first answer helps students reflect on the first answer and view the question from a different angle.
Ask in the form of mystery
If you want a surefire way to spark curiosity, introduce the next topic or question in the form of a mystery. It can be something along the lines of asking your kids what would happen next if something were to happen. We may all process information differently, but if there is one thing that can arouse curiosity, it is a mystery. Sometimes, conjecture is the best way to facilitate learning.
Group work
Two heads are indeed better than one. Sometimes, with the right guidance, group work can do wonders for facilitating learning while building social skills. Students may understand the value of teamwork while recognizing their own individual contributions. Using this technique with short collaboration methods can do wonders for engagement.
Understand the gap
Obviously, you cannot expect your students to be experts on topics that you have to teach them. Therefore, it may be contingent upon you to inquire about how much knowledge they have on a topic and understanding where work is needed to expedite the learning process. Once they have a better understanding of where they are weak, they will be put in a better position to participate as a result.