Creative Ways to Engage Students in the Learning Process

Teaching is a job that requires creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. The same old ways of teaching can get boring for both students and teachers, so it's important to mix things up every once in a while. Here are some creative ideas to engage your students in the learning process:

Self Assessments

A great way to get students involved in their own learning progress is to have them do self assessments. Have them create a rubric for themselves and grade their own work, either at the end of the semester or throughout it. This encourages self-reflection, critical thinking, and pride in the work they do! And, of course, once they have completed their self assessment they can come back to you with any questions or feedback they may have.

Help Create the Rubric

It's no secret that having students help create rubrics makes them more likely to take ownership of their learning outcomes. Having students help make rubrics lets them feel like their opinions are valuable, fosters collaboration between them and you as well as among each other, and helps them understand what skills need to be developed more fully. Plus, it'll save you some time!

Lead Discussions

Give your students the chance to lead discussions—especially when it comes to topics related to current events or controversial issues. This gives them an opportunity to express themselves and practice public speaking skills while also helping them think critically about different perspectives on certain topics. It also allows them to practice skills such as active listening and responding thoughtfully without putting too much pressure on them. Plus, by having student-led discussions you can observe how each student interacts with their peers—giving you an idea of who could use additional support or guidance from you down the road.

There are many creative ways for teachers to engage students in the learning process and doing so will make learning more enjoyable for everyone involved! So don’t be afraid to shake things up in your classroom every now and then. 

If you're ready to take your teaching to the next level and make it easier and more efficient, check out Rebel Teacher Academy where we are talking about things like assessments, Google Forms, student engagement, and more!