How do you keep an entire classroom of students engaged?

Teachers make several effort to prepare extensively for their instructional activities but there is one thing that teachers cannot predict: their students. in a class. There are different mix of student capabilities, interests, and motivation.




 

How can you engage students with different 

 motivations and interest?

 

In one class, teachers can have students who grasp the material quickly and students with learning disabilities. In addition, teachers will likely have a mix of highly motivated and not-so-motivated students. A student’s achievement and motivation can depend highly on the subject as well as their preferred learning style.

Here are four tips that may help teachers connect with all of their students.

 

• Use student input and interests to facilitate learning.

Before students invest in their own education, they have to be engaged with the material and be able to see the relevance of what they’re learning. A teacher is bound to have students with several different interests. Finding common ground that appeals to those interests is a great place to start.

• Encourage students to articulate individual questions and concerns.

 The best way to find out what students need is often the simplest—talking to them directly. Asking a few simple questions can tell you what students hope to gain from your class, and what support they need to succeed. You don’t necessarily need to schedule one-on-one conversations to get individual feedback. 

•  Offer optional challenges once a student has completed their work.

Imagine you have the perfect class period all figured out. You’ll start with some questions to get your students thinking. Then your students will start working on a lab or activity, and once they’re done, there’ll be just enough time for students to discuss what they’ve found.
Sadly, this is often far from reality. Often you’ll end up with a group of students who have completed the activity before you know it. What can you do?
One strategy is to be prepared with higher-order extension activities for students that quickly complete other planned activities.

Have extension activities ready that encourage critical thinking.

Prioritize your own engagement.

If you’re trying to keep students engaged, it’s important to be aware of your own engagement. Being mentally focused and present in class allows you to respond to student needs. In addition, teacher engagement can improve academic results.When teachers are engaged, their students will be engaged. When students are engaged, they will learn, and when they learn, they will show measurable achievement on any standard set.” 

Don’t lose focus — stay engaged with your students.