Student Engagement

PhD Dissertation from Capella University

Understanding the strategies that students develop to remain engaged in learning while using mobile technology, approved in January, 2018. Dissertation noted for exemplary research and writing.

Two Twitter discussions regarding the effects of classroom design on learner engagement

• Looking at how the model of teaching has evolved over the years. Discussion started by Zach Groshell, @MrZachG
• Looking at how students interact with one another and their teachers when they sit in rows. Discussion started by Doug Lemov, @Doug_Lemov

How do we look at the integration of technology in education?

Typically, I see faculty fitting into three general groups. Each of these groups require different types of training and professional development.

• Those who use technology to help them complete their work more efficiently. Computers and online resources help them present and report information more efficiently and effectively.
• Those who know that technology can be used to help students learn more, and might have had some moments in their classes where they realized their students are learning more than they could otherwise.
• Those who have had several "Aha!" moments and have had instructional moments when their student learning transcended stated learning objectives. Learning opportunities are unique, personal, and constructive.

The goal is to increase student engagement so as to develop extraordinary learning opportunities.

To achieve this goal, design should be designed to encourage constructive student engagement. The idea is that the design of the environment can influence student student empowerment, personalization, and interactions. An environment that considers these design elements can influence any teacher's instructional delivery, and thus create more extraordinary learning opportunities for students. An assumption that teachers must thus make is that they are instructional designers.

The teacher is sometimes the sage on the stage, the guide on the side, or the mentor in the middle. The role of the teachers is always changing so that students get the best opportunities to learn and the best possible constructive feedback. Each method of instruction is important for different learning contexts or situations.