Learning Engagement Theory

Description

This theory is based on the importance of student engagement and “that students must be meaningfully engaged in learning activities through interaction with others and worthwhile tasks” (Kearsley & Shneiderman, 1999, p. 1).

It has three components.

• Relate – Collaboration on the task is compulsory, relationship skills including team work, communication, planning, management and social skills.

• Create – students create their own project and plan how to best achieve completion, and implement.

• Donate – have an authentic non-academic focus, preferably making a contribution to society, school or workplace.

Plus

It is based on real life so it will be more relevant and keep the students attention. Students may also be able see the impact of what they are doing if the project is fully implemented into society. Emphasizes the need to give back to society and teaches the students to be less self centered. The social skills and collaboration skills needed will be of high benefit to the students in the future; after they have completed school.

Minus

Time is needed for students to feel comfortable enough with each other to select groups of feel comfortable working in groups, extra time is also needed to teach collaboration skills. It may be hard to find and agree upon a project that can be donated back to society.

This theory does not focus on correct use of information technology and internet, curriculum and pedagogy.

Interesting

It is great to see a theory based on giving back to society and teaching students that it is not all about them. This theory is based on Situated Cognition.

Personal reflection

This theory is easier to use than some of the others with less key factors to consider but it falls short by not having a defined focus on how technology, curriculum and pedagogy is used. At the end of one of the projects, a student may have created a wonderful project and it may “tick all of the boxes” of a great project but the student may not have had the desired learning outcome.

Kearsley, G., & Shneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement Theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Retrieved 13 November, 2010, from http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm