Fostering Student Engagement With High Expectations and Enthusiasm

Dr. Wendy Ghiora – Posting #22 – August 1, 2009


Today, we will look at two more factors that foster student engagement and therefore, learning. For items #1-8 please go to: http://teaching4achange.blogspot.com/ and read postings: 17-21.
Our important points for today are:


9- Always Have High Expectations and Students Will Meet Them.
10- Be Enthusiastic. It Makes Learning Interesting and Joyful.

9.-Always Have High Expectations and Students Will Meet Them.
Teachers must have high expectations for all their students. Successful teachers of poor children know their students are capable of high achievement. Therefore, they refuse to label their students 'at risk'; they look at each child and see the gem that is inside and communicate this vision back to the child (Ashton-Warner, 1963; Ayers, 1993; Carini, 1982; Curwin, 1992; Heath, 1983; Kohl, 1967). They look for children's strengths and interests, and use these as starting points for learning. In Among School Children, Kidder (1990) describes the power that teachers have to motivate children: 'For children who are used to thinking of themselves as stupid or not worth talking to or deserving rape and beatings, a good teacher can provide an astonishing revelation. A good teacher can give a child at least a chance to feel, "She thinks I'm worth something; maybe I am" ' (p. 3). Thus, a relationship that conveys high expectations will enable students to internalize these beliefs. By doing so, they develop the self-esteem and self-efficacy that Kidder found in the successful schools in his study. Now the students have personal “buy-in.” There’s something in it for them, i.e. self-worth. Hence, the proverbial light ignites and the students are engaged in learning.

Teachers should work with an attitude that says you know students can achieve to your level of expectations, thereby giving students a sense of confidence too, which leads to high interest and engagement. Your expectations define your reality. What you expect is what you get. It's simple, powerful, and profound all at the same time. The question is, "What do you expect from your students?” Think about it, and make it so.


10- Be Enthusiastic. It Makes Learning Interesting and Joyful.
There are good teachers and then there are great teachers. There are those who teach and transfer information, and they’re good at it. Teachers in the second group transfer the excitement and joy of learning. In a way, the first type gives the student a fish, while the second type teaches students how to fish. That’s the difference between good and great. Accordingly, students privileged to be taught by a great teacher become more engaged in learning because it is, at least in part, self-generated. To be a truly great teacher, a passion must be in your heart and emanate to your students through your enthusiasm, and your own unique methods of bringing the classroom to life. That’s what stimulates student engagement.

When praising students, be specific about your comments, so students recognize exactly what their successful action was. Praise without being specific can be demeaning, patronizing, and even manipulative. Don’t praise the child, but praise the child’s work. Encourage students with genuine compliments about specific improvement noted, thus creating independent, enthusiastic, engaged learners. This adds so much to a child’s joy of learning. Always remember there are no greater heroes in our society than teachers. As a Super Teacher it is your duty to make teaching and learning a joy. Be prepared to get swept up in the joy and excitement your students will wield!

Stay tuned next week for more on student engagement.