Can students be involved, yet not engaged in the learning process? For many educators, the answer is a resounding "Yes." Involved learning represents any form of compliant behavior ranging from students responding to a question posed by their teacher to students smiling in their seats while conducting a silent monologue in their heads. Engaged learning, on the other hand, refers to students actively participating in the lesson such as challenging each other relating to the topic under investigation, losing track of time, connecting emotionally to the content, and, in some cases, working harder than their teacher.
How can classrooms elevate the amount of Engaged learning? Simple solutions to exist that require few materials, but do require a willingness to try something new. Dan Meyer, a high school math teacher, discusses specific ways of promoting what he calls "patient problem-solving" during a TEDxNYED talk video. Dan summarizes five simple solutions for engaging students in more rigorous activities that transcend mathematics, but apply equally to all content areas.
√ Use multimedia
√ Encourage student intuition
√ Ask the shortest question you can
√ Let students build the problem
√ Be less helpful
Following these simple solutions can help transform "involved" classrooms into centers of learning that elevate the level of student engagement in the classroom.
