Student Motivation & Engagement

Education news, analysis, and opinion about efforts to get students involved and active in learning and classroom activities
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion The Four Secrets to Motivating Students
Giving students the opportunity to choose can be liberating as long as teachers provide the right amount of guidance.
Larry Ferlazzo, April 7, 2023
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13 min read
Third-grade students at the Douglass G Grafflin School in Chappaqua, New York, participate in an interactive learning session with the Nintendo Labo: Variety Kit for the Nintendo Switch system, led by Rebecca Rufo-Tepper, Co-Executive Director of the Institute of Play. On Oct. 23, Nintendo and the Institute of Play announced a partnership to bring Nintendo Labo kits into elementary classrooms nationwide. The program combines the innovative play of Nintendo Labo with the basic principles of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) to inspire kids and help make learning fun.
Third-grade students at the Douglass G Grafflin School in Chappaqua, N.Y. participate in an interactive learning session using Nintendo equipment, led by Rebecca Rufo-Tepper, Co-Executive Director of the Institute of Play.
Business Wire/AP
Student Well-Being & Movement What's the 'Secret Sauce' for Student Engagement? 3 Insights From Educators
It begins with relationships, the educators said.
Madeline Will, April 3, 2023
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3 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion 3 Ways to Make Learning Relevant to Students
Research shows that content relevance is key to student engagement, but many students aren't feeling it. What needs to change?
Larry Ferlazzo, March 30, 2023
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8 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion How to Get, and Keep, Your Students Engaged
Not all efforts to motivate students are equal. Here are some strategies that work.
Larry Ferlazzo, March 29, 2023
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14 min read
Teaching Reports Student Motivation: Student and Educator Perceptions
Based on survey results from students and educators, this report examines strategies that might bolster student engagement and motivation.
March 21, 2023
Image of a student with books in a huge classroom with equations everywhere.
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Mathematics Opinion Math Trauma Is Real. Here's How You Can Prevent It
When people hear I teach math, they often recount the one bad classroom experience that made them “check out” of math permanently.
Viveka Vaughn, March 19, 2023
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5 min read
Thu., March 16, 2023, 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET
Student Well-Being & Movement K-12 Essentials Forum How to Motivate All Students and Keep Them Engaged
Join us for this forum highlighting strategies schools and educators are using to keep K-12 students on track academically.
Register
March 16, 2023
Math Gains FCG
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School & District Management Opinion How Changing District Culture Improved Math Scores
Professional development, relevant data, tutors, and student engagement were all in play.
Mark Benigni, March 13, 2023
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6 min read
Photograph of child's hand drawing a bright smiling sun.
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Student Well-Being & Movement Q&A This Teacher Shares Trauma-Informed Strategies on TikTok. Here Are Her Top Insights
Trauma-informed care starts with meeting kids' basic needs for connection, food, and motivation.
Hayley Hardison, March 9, 2023
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9 min read
Close-up photograph of a young person's hand writing in a notebook.
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Teaching Teachers Explain Why Letting Students Redo Assignments Is Problematic
Students say the opportunity to redo assignments would motivate them to do better in school. But the practice also comes with downsides.
Hayley Hardison & Arianna Prothero, March 7, 2023
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4 min read
Teacher and student fist-bumping.
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Student Well-Being & Movement From Our Research Center What Would Motivate Teens to Work Harder in School? The Chance to Redo Assignments
If you thought being enthusiastic and personable were the best ways to motivate teenagers, then think again.
Arianna Prothero, February 23, 2023
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2 min read
Kim King, an art teacher at Mansfield Elementary School in Mansfield, Conn., works with 1st grader Aubrey Torres, center, in her choice-based art class, on Feb. 13, 2023.
Kim King, an art teacher at Mansfield Elementary School in Mansfield, Conn., works with 1st grader Aubrey Torres, center, in her choice-based art class, on Feb. 13, 2023.
Christopher Capozziello for Education Week
Special Report Student Motivation & Engagement: What Works and How to Put It Into Action
Explore strategies and tactics for motivating and engaging all students to see the value of working hard in school.
February 21, 2023
A nurse supervises a young student standing at the foot of a hospital bed chatting about the medical chart that she is holding.
E+/Getty + Education Week
College & Workforce Readiness Want to Motivate Students? Give Them a Meaningful Taste of the Working World
Work-based learning experiences can help students understand why the classes they are taking are relevant to their future success.
Alyson Klein, February 21, 2023
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7 min read
Happy African American teacher receives applause from her students while lecturing them in the classroom.
Drazen Zigic/iStock + Education Week
Teaching You Don't Need to Be the Hollywood Version of a Teacher. Here's What Motivates Students
Everyone has had a teacher who has that special something: they are entertaining and inspiring. Can those qualities be taught?
Arianna Prothero, February 21, 2023
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4 min read
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