Vol 4(7) September 13, 2025
Engagement is the heartbeat of a successful classroom. When students are invested, learning feels less like a chore and more like a discovery. But even well-meaning teachers can fall into habits that unintentionally push students away from learning. Here are three common mistakes to avoid when working to engage your students:
1. Talking at Students Instead of With Them
It’s easy to slip into lecture mode, but if students are only passive listeners, they’ll quickly disconnect. Engagement happens when students are part of the conversation. This can be through questions, group discussions, hands-on activities, or even quick think-pair-share moments. Shift from “I teach, you listen” to “Let’s learn together.”
2. Overloading with Content Instead of Focusing on Relevance
Teachers sometimes feel pressure to cover everything, but overwhelming students with information often results in them remembering very little. Instead, focus on essential concepts and connect them to students’ real-world experiences. Relevance makes content stick, and students are more likely to stay engaged when they see the “why” behind the lesson.
3. Ignoring Student Voice and Choice
When students feel they have no control over their learning, they may disengage. Offering choice, even small ones like selecting a project format, choosing reading material, or having a say in class discussions, helps students take ownership. Engagement grows when students feel their ideas, perspectives, and preferences matter.
Our Final Thoughts . . .
Engagement doesn’t require flashy technology or endless activities. It thrives on relationships, relevance, and respect. By avoiding these three common mistakes, teachers can create classrooms where students feel seen, heard, and excited to learn.
Your Final Thoughts . . .
How can you design a lesson that engages students, either by offering choices, or having them choose a reading material, or having a say in a class discussion? What would that lesson look like?