How do we actively engage the students who aren't looking for it? It is easy to engage those who are ready and willing but those are the easy students...really those aren't the students we should be targeting. Those students are going find a way to become engaged, participate, grow, and learn. On the flip side, there are always going to be students who do not want to have anything to do with what you have to say...and that' s OK too, not ideal, but OK.
How can we draw them in? We can intentionally program, create conversations, make connections, etc...but how can we really bring them in? Engage them? This isn't a post that is going to give too much insight, I'm really posing this question to you? What has worked for you? What has not? What can we do to reach the students who so often go unreached?
I think understanding the students we work with is an important first step in connecting w/ the unengaged student. it is our duty to use our knowledge of student development theory to foster an environment that allows students to learn, discover, and want to become engaged citizens in our world. "if we have only taught our students math, we have not done our job as educators."
ReplyDeletewhat works is unique to each educator. we must all be on one accord and understand how to use our strengths to engage students. this might mean delegating or intentionally trying to connect students to lifelong learning possibilities and discovering their passion for life. it is all about finding our place and once we have found it, we share it with others.
I always look for a commonality. Which, actually, I learned from you. You've been my guide for over a year on how to approach others and make them feel comfortable. Although it will be a long time before they are students in higher education, I have to work very hard at engaging my dance students. I have to think about what *they* want, then delicately combine that with what kind of progress *I* want. It's a hard battle...you are fighting it beautifully.
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