Classrooms hold a special place in any student’s life. From the first grade until they graduate from high school, teachers serve as role models and teach values that will help them throughout life.
It’s not wrong to say that behind every successful individual is a school teacher who pushes and motivates them to succeed.
Whether or not a student remembers it is immaterial; the fact remains that a teacher wishes the best for students and will do whatever they can to ensure their time at school is productive and enjoyable. So they engage them in activities that help them develop good character.
The focus of this essay is precisely on that issue. By the end of this short read, you should have a fair idea of how a teacher can improve the students’ classroom.
If you’re a teacher having a tough time keeping students engaged in your classroom, you’ve come to the right place. Go through the tips listed below and apply them in your classroom. Because instilling better values in them now will enable them to build a better tomorrow.
Top 5 Ways Of Making Students More Engaged In A Classroom
1. Work on yourself first
If you lack education, you might hit some roadblocks down the line. Not only does education help you build your credentials on your resume, but it also helps you think outside the box. In the same way, you teach your students about values and lessons; you should apply similar concepts to your life as a teacher.
Working and studying at the same time can be challenging for even the most motivated individual. However, a remote degree makes things considerably easier. Degrees like an online EdD higher education leadership program can help you handle common issues in class and prepare you for diverse learning situations.
You may think that a degree like this may be overkill, but think about how much this could help your career. If you aim to climb the ladder, a Doctorate will help shoot you to the top faster than you imagined. Everyone wants a qualified administrative team, which doesn’t get higher than a Doctorate.
2. Make it a comfortable environment
Every teacher has a different teaching style. However, some are rather rigid and borderline autocratic. You want to keep a perfect balance of class control and still be able to talk to the students when you need to and vice versa. Students confiding in you is one of the biggest signs that you are doing your job right.
Joke around from time to time, get to know your students, and make the place as fun and comfortable as it can get. Female students have a harder time adjusting to new classrooms and remaining engaged. Therefore, make sure you create an accepting space that fosters warmth and comfort for all the students.
You should know when to draw the line as well. Students often feel that a teacher may be easing up on them if they give them a relaxed space. Lay it on them when you need to.
Do not let them get away with outrageous behavior and disrupt the sanctity of the classroom. As we said earlier, you need to maintain class control and approachability balance.
3. Be creative
Regardless of what grade you are teaching, remember to make things fun. Even if it’s the outgoing high-school class, consider getting their attention and making them think outside the box through your lesson.
Most classes today have some degree of technological advancement. Gone are the days when you would deliver a lecture verbally and expect the kids to listen to what you were saying. Students today are far too dependent on technology for you not to take advantage of it yourself. To maintain engagement, consider using multi-media strategies to show them other sides of learning.
Videos, movies, and even memes are a great way to drive home concepts and teach students new things. If you think simply delivering a verbal lecture and having them take notes will cut it, you might want to reconsider.
Though traditional lectures should be part of your repertoire, make sure you change things once in a while.
4. Ask open-ended questions
The issue of rote learning was one of the most significant issues in the past concerning education. It was more important for students to memorize things than to understand the concepts and ideas behind them. Instead of learning anything, it was more like a memory game.
Every teacher should ask an open-ended question and observe the children’s reactions. Let them each play their part and give their opinions on the topic. By asking them this question, you will give them the chance to think freely and gain insight into their personalities.
In addition, this will give you a chance to notice those who are quiet and don’t speak. Sometimes it’s a personality trait; sometimes, it can be more sinister. Monitor the situation and make a judgment call on whether you need to talk to the school counselor or not.
5. Encourage diverse classrooms
Students who feel conscious may not pay attention in class. In the long run, they lose engagement due to ideas relating to their differences.
Consider taking a few minutes out of the lecture to discuss unspoken topics. The focus should be on ethnic diversity, then on religious diversity, and on disability. You can also include differently-abled learners in your class if the school system allows it.
When you have a diverse class, you’re likely to have a diverse set of ideas. In general, you can expect better engagement and a warmer and more comfortable classroom.
Ostracism doesn’t have to be as explicit as not sitting at the same table. Sometimes, perceived ostracism can be just as bad (and valid) as the real thing, and students need to be reminded that there is a place for them.
Conclusion
Making the classroom more interesting, inclusive and a better learning environment is the teacher’s job. These tips can help you get the most out of the class and encourage them to remain engaged.
We have gone over the need for teachers to pursue their further education and its importance for diverse classrooms. We think you should give these tips some thought and make the most out of your teaching experience with various factors in between.
Remember to put the kids first and focus on them. A student-centered approach will always be the most appropriate.
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