How can teachers ensure that students gain a deeper understanding of the content being taught in any given classroom? The simple answer is to actively engage students in the learning process.
We know from cognitive science that students cannot learn any new skills or content unless they are attentive to the instruction. We can only learn when we pay attention. Students who are actively engaged in classroom instruction go from recipients of knowledge to participants in the learning process. When students are engaged, learning is no longer superficial, but becomes more authentic as students make the psychological investment for their own learning. In a world where students have so many things seeking their attention, such as friends and cell phones, how can teachers actively engage students in the learning process? There are a myriad of ways that teachers can increase their students’ engagement. We have listed some of our favorites: