Keeping students interested high school is important so there is a dire need to create programs and initiatives that will enhance student engagement. High school students are at an age where it's tough to keep their attention, which is why initiatives, events and conducting programs are great ways to keep their interest.
Nowadays, high schools have been coming up with innovative ways through which they not only engage with their students, but also challenge them to excel and grow, keeping it interesting for all.
Here are several programs that have been implemented by high schools that have shown successful results:
Team activities
High school students are at an age where they love to compete with fellow classmates. This is something you can use to engage them with their studies. Create a specific number of groups – however many you feel comfortable with – and assign your students with tasks to complete within a set deadline. These tasks can be related to academics or real-world problems. Simple and popular activities include vocabulary charades and presenting topics previously studied in a course.
Moreover, creating random groups within the classroom increases personal interaction amongst the students. Also, in smaller groups, students that are shy or hesitant can feel more comfortable to voice their opinions. Voicing your opinion, with positive reinforcement, certifies that you are valued and your input hasn’t gone unnoticed; something shy people constantly fear.
Challenge your students to become teachers
There are always a few students in every class who think they can teach better than the teacher – and they are not always wrong. Everyone has their own way of learning; while some students may find it easy by reading through a chapter, others may feel comfortable making notes. In the same way, some pupils learn and understand better from their peer classmates rather than the teachers.
Use this to your advantage and engage your students by coming up with activities that promote teaching and learning amongst the students. Ask your students to prepare a topic they consider themselves to be a master in and explain it to their fellow students. Not only do you encourage the student teacher to revise a topic, but you also save yourself from wasting extra time to explain the chapter to those who did not fully comprehend it in the first place.
Link the material to current events
The human mind understands a concept well once it is given real world examples or comparisons. This is the best way to demonstrate that the syllabus of each course is closely linked to what the student experience in daily life. For example, topics like electricity and magnetism can be linked to the real world application of electrical circuits laid out in our homes. You can demonstrate how and why the bulbs are connected in a parallel formation rather than in series.
You can use suitable examples for each subject, respectively. When high school students realize that what they are learning is actually closely related to their daily lives, they will start taking an interest in the subject. Not only will you help improve their understanding, but you will also see a corresponding improvement in their grades.
Use Technology
In a world where technology has taken over every aspect of our lives, it would be foolish not to use it to further enhance the learning experience. Using software, you can interact with your students on the go. You can share information on topics previously studied in the class, send real-world applications of formulae they’ve learned, and also keep them updated with upcoming assignments and quizzes.
High schools can also replace traditional white boards with electronic smart boards. The electronic boards can connect with PCs, laptops or mobile phones; you can quickly surf the internet looking for something, show videos to clarify concepts or perhaps even watch a movie to relax with the students. Remember, giving high school students rest and enough relaxation is key to bringing out their productivity and creativity.
There are many ways through which students can be directed toward further engagement in high school. The ones we’ve highlighted above are, by far, the most effective and will surely lead to improved student engagement.
EBEC provides services to help high schools develop these programs and initiatives. For more information, please visit www.ebedc.com or email us at letstalk@ebedc.com.