10 Student Engagement Strategies that Work

Now, teaching outside of the physical classroom, educators are adapting to new learning styles and implementing new techniques to get students excited and engaged about the material while learning remotely. Since transitioning to online learning, student engagement has been a topic of conversation due to the challenges remote learning has presented for motivation and involvement. 

Over the last semester, educators have experimented with different student engagement strategies to keep the learning momentum going for students. 

Teachers have been sharing their successes on social media to help provide other educators with tips and tricks for their classrooms. Numerous tools, strategies, techniques, and models have been discovered and created over the past year. Throughout the year, we collaborated with administrators, teachers, and tech coaches to find out which student engagement strategies worked best for them in 2020.

10 Student Engagement Strategies that Work in 2020

1. In-Class Talks

Take some time to really get to know your students. Give them space where they feel comfortable and able to speak up about anything they may want. Many teachers are surprised by how willing students are to share when given the opportunity. Pearl Arredondo describes her experience and how her students would open up about their personal lives, communities, interests, and struggles. Showing that you care makes school that much more impactful for a student.

2. Gamification

Students love to learn when they can’t tell the difference between learning and fun. Gamification incorporates games, competition, collaboration, and teamwork all in one. This is a great way to give students a choice in how they learn and make lessons engaging and interesting for the student.

3. Playlists

Whether in person, remote, or hybrid playlists can play a prominent role in a classroom. The beauty behind playlists is that teachers are able to multitask while using playlists while also giving students the option to personalize how they learn. This gives students an incentive to ask questions and immerse themselves in the material.

4. Flipped learning

A popular learning strategy for many educators who are using in-person or hybrid classrooms. Putting the power of learning in the hands of the student propels students forward into a place where self-discipline and dedication are imperative for maximal learning. Flipped learning gives students the opportunity to ask specific questions directly to the teacher without diverting time. Students also have the ability to apply what they have learned first hand before moving on to another topic.

5. Personalization

Overall, personalization has been among the most popular student engagement strategies for teachers in 2020. The shift towards powering students forward in their specific strengths rather than giving general knowledge to all is the catalyst for extreme success amongst youth.

6. Choice Boards

Giving choices to students not only puts the power of learning, somewhat, in the hands of the student but also makes students feel like they have a voice and control over their learning. 

7. Collaboration 

Collaboration gives students interpersonal skills as well as teamwork skills. Especially during a time like remote learning, finding ways to get students to work together remotely can help with overall mental health and the feeling of isolation.

8. Movement

Refocus during class by getting students up and moving. Let students stand, walk around, stretch, and dance to keep attention centered.

9. Brain breaks

Students are not prone to staying 100% focused throughout an 8 hour school day. Give students brain breaks so they can absorb and digest all the information. 

10. Discussions

Create conversations between students. Have open discussions about anything at all. Creating an open atmosphere will promote student’s voices as well as giving everyone an opportunity to hear multiple points of view on certain topics.

With these strategies, student engagement will not only increase but transform from engagement to excitement about learning.