School is the first place which builds confidence and improves the capability of students. Schools not only offer social development but also offer physical and emotional stability through its environment.
Most students participate in academic and non-academic activities at school, and develop a sense of belonging – their friends are there, they have good relations with teachers and other students, and they identify with and value schooling outcomes.
But many students are not engaged. They do not believe their school experience has much bearing on their future, and they do not feel accepted by their classmates or teachers. Gradually these students withdraw from school life and become disaffected from school. Some disaffected students are disruptive in class, and exert a negative influence on other students.
Need of Positive classroom engagement
Current education system in India is facing lots of challenges and issues of shifting them to become more flexible for students. Focusing more towards grade oriented curriculum and less innovative practices is causing serious effects in students which later can turn into depression and anxiety issues. Hence it directly affects the growth and the happiness index of the country.
According to the World happiness report of 2019 India got 140 out of 156 countries. Thus, to create a happy and a peaceful society and eradicate this major problem the education system needs to adopt different measures especially from the grassroot level i.e classrooms.
Post-covid effects on classroom engagement
According to a survey conducted by UNICEF, the recent COVID-19 pandemic brought a complex array of challenges which had mental health repercussions for everyone, including children and adolescents. Grief, fear, uncertainty, social isolation, increased screen time, and parental fatigue have negatively affected the mental health of children.
They are getting back to school lots of changes such as regression in behaviour, irritability, aggressiveness, tolerance, poor concentration and concept retention are observed in them. To tackle these severe issues, a healthy, happy and positive environment is the only best remedy for students to compensate for the loss due to the pandemic.
COVID-19 pandemic brought a complex array of challenges which had mental health repercussions for everyone, including children and adolescents.
Student engagement and connecting strategies to use in schools
Schools can create an environment where students feel engaged and connected through the following ways:
1.Reciprocal teachingÂ
Reciprocal teaching involves four key parts:
- Predicting what is going to happen in the text
- Questioning the text and asking questions like who, what, when, where, why and how
- Clarifying the text and identifying confusing concepts or unknown words
- Summarizing the text and condensing the reading to its most important parts.
2. Flexible seating
Desks aren’t always the most comfortable option, especially for students stuck in them all day. Flexible seating gives students the opportunity to learn in a comfortable, adaptive environment that suits their needs. Reading is always more of a treat when it’s on a comfy couch. Flexible seating options can make the classroom feel more welcoming for even the most reluctant learners.
3. Cooperative learning
Cooperative learning prioritizes:
- Positive interdependence – Students learn that each group member’s effort is important for success
- Promotive Interaction – Â Students offer encouragement and feedback to other group members
- Soft Skills Instruction – Students develop interpersonal skills that help them work together effectively
4.Brain breaks
Bring brain breaks into your classroom to get students up and moving! Brain breaks are quick exercises or activities that give students a way to channel some of the extra energy they’ve stored up. In the middle of your class, pause for a few moments to do something fun and unexpected.
Also Read: 5 simple methods to navigate new paths for growth in a post-pandemic world
5. Good pedagogy practices
Good and engaging pedagogy skills always help students to connect with their concept and hence it is a great tool for a teacher to engage students in class. Avoiding Rote learning, the ( 2C-2I-1R ) mode i.e. Constructivist, Collaborative, Integrative, Reflective and Inquiry Based Learning can be adopted for good classroom engagement.
6. Acquainted to various innovative curriculum and its effects
Recently many additional curricula such as the happiness curriculum, Aanandam pathyacharya are being adopted by different state governments to strengthen their students’ mental health. This type of curriculum is aimed to instill self-awareness and to stimulate good mental health, character, and resilience.
The happiness curriculum would improve cognitive ability of the students and would reduce anxiety, depression, and intolerance among students. Having awareness about these curricula can help engage students in the classroom
7. Awareness about social emotional learning
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process of developing the self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills that are vital for school, work and life success. A teacher needs to implement procedures/policies that promote not only physical, academical but as well as social and emotional security. SEL can benefit teachers to understand their students’ needs while breaking various stereotypes.
These strategies can be helpful for the schools to engage students and for them to feel connected in the classrooms. Schools which emphasize more on fostering a happy environment in their classrooms have a larger probability of getting good recognition and reputation in society. Schools which emphasize more on fostering a happy environment in their classrooms have a larger probability of getting good recognition and reputation in society.
FAQs
1. How can you ensure that your students are engaged in learning?
To ensure your students are engaged in learning, you can incorporate interactive teaching methods, such as group discussions, hands-on activities, and multimedia presentations, to keep them actively involved and interested in the lesson.
2. How do you engage children in the classroom?
Engage children in the classroom by creating a stimulating learning environment with colorful visuals, interactive learning stations, and opportunities for students to participate in class discussions and activities that cater to their interests and abilities. If you are looking to enhance the learning methods in your school through effective teacher training, Varthana stands ready as your ideal partner to nurture your school’s development and progress.
3. How do you engage children in activities?
Encourage children to participate in activities by providing them with choices, setting clear goals, and offering positive reinforcement to motivate them to explore and learn through hands-on experiences.
4. How do you challenge students in the classroom?
Challenge students in the classroom by setting high expectations, providing differentiated instruction to meet individual learning needs, and offering opportunities for critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative expression to stretch their abilities and foster growth.
Read More: 7 measures you should take to improve the quality of education in your school
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