Student Engagement Following the COVID-19 Pandemic (And 5 Technology Tips)

Student Engagement Following the COVID-19 Pandemic

Motivating students is always something that creative teachers are striving to do. But following the COVID-19 Pandemic, students seem to be more unmotivated and less likely to buy into classroom activities. Some students even appear to be more hyper-active and restless. 

EdWeek Research Center (2021) posted the following findings on how educators and students view motivation and morale. 

As you can see from the above data charts, students and teachers are indicating that students are less motivated than before COVID-19. It is interesting that while even half of students acknowledged that they are less motivated, teachers indicated that the strong majority of students appear to be less motivated. Is this because of students' electronic time during the pandemic? Lack of socialization? Ulterior schedule? Whatever the reasons are, teachers need to be aware of these findings to encourage student motivation. Students need to learn to be students again and more importantly, they need to learn that school is important and engaging. 

I made some technology rules to help with students' adjustment back to school:

1. Something that I did when we returned to school was I immediately cut our digital resources in half. Although electronic methods of learning are extremely helpful, students needed to learn to be off of the computers and interacting with people again. 

2. I also enacted clear rules regarding electronics in the classroom after I noticed that students were zoning out on the lesson and focusing on their screens. Students can open their laptops to complete an activity and then they need to put them away. Additionally, students who are off-task on the computers are given print activities as a replacement for the digital activities in the near future. 

3. Students may not get their laptops out when they finish working. Although this might seem silly if students have time to spare, it serves and important purpose. I noticed that students were rushing and seemed almost anxious when completing their work. I quickly realized that it was because they wanted to play on the computers. After they finish their work, I would rather that they find something else to do or even talk to their peers! Which leads me into my next point...

4. Many teachers are using computers as a way to regulate behaviors because students are locked into the computers and are ignoring their peers. I would rather students navigate social situations than sit isolated on the computer. I would rather kids talk and play during recess and homeroom than sit on the computer. 

5. I also ask students not wear their headphones unless I assign something that requires them. If they are working independently, I try to play some music aloud for everyone.

These rules are not designed to restrict students. I established them to maintain a healthy balance with technology in my classroom. Additionally, students need some parameters to place their attention back on the classroom. 

EdWeek Research Center. (2021). Data snapshot: What teacher and student morale looks like right now. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/leadership/data-snapshot-what-teacher-and-student-morale-looks-like-right-now/2021/01