Why Aren’t My Students Engaged and What Can I Do About It?
Clinician(s): Cara Bernard
In recent years, the concept of “student engagement” has gained attention in education. However, it is unclear how it is defined; engagement has become an almost “catch-all,” wherein educators use the term to refer to varying ideas and practices. In this session, we examine the concept of student engagement, its uses, and implications in the music classroom. We provide definitions and examples of three types of engagement–doing, thinking, feeling. Next, we offer questions for teachers to ask themselves as they assess student engagement. Then, we share strategies to help engage students in the three types of engagement. Finally, we provide ways music teachers can communicate about engagement with colleagues, including administrators and other teachers, both in and outside music.
Session Handouts