How to engage students in learning

The degree of learner-centredness in a course, is one factor amongest many that can influence how students engage in learning. Nick Zepke, Linda Leach and Philippa Butler (2010) discuss their research on the factors influencing student engagement in the report: Student Engagement: What Is It and What Influences It?.

They reviewed the literature on engagement and revealed several perspectives on the subject. They also surveyed students in in nine tertiary organisations in New Zealand who were undertaking their first tertiary study. They found that student engagement was primarily influenced by teachers and that motivation and external factors also played a part.

Activity

Examine table 6 An agenda for facilitating student engagement on page 12, showing the six lenses of engagement, and choose an item from the Agenda for action. For example: "Enabling students to work autonomously, enjoy learning relationships with others and feel they are competent to achieve their own objectives" (Zepke, Leach & Butler, 2010, p. 12). What strategies could you use in your class to encourage your students to engage in learning?

Extra resources

Keri Moore of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) developed a 26-point checklist for lecturers to use in deciding the degree of student-centred learning in their courses. Each of the points could also be a discussion starter with your peers as you explore ways of engaging your students in their learning in a more student-centred way. As an optional exercise, work through Moore's checklist to see how your courses stack up (the more ticks, the better!).

Reference

Nick Zepke, N., Leach, L. & Butler, P. (2010). Student Engagement: What Is It and What Influences It? Wellington: Teaching & Learning Research Initiative. Retrieved from http://www.tlri.org.nz/sites/default/files/projects/9261-Introduction.pdf