II. MANAGING THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT                                                                                 PACES

TEACHING AND LEARNING COMPONENT II.D

MANAGING ENGAGEMENT IN LEARNING
Managing engagement in learning is an essential element of effective teaching. Engagement in learning is more than simple on-task behavior. Learners may be off-task during teaching and learning activities, during transitions, or during routines, and organizational activities. Learner off-task behavior (both momentary and persistent) should be systematically monitored and/or redirected by the teacher so that re-engagement in learning is encouraged. The behavior of off-task learners should be redirected. Even though the learner engagement rate for the class as a whole may be quite high and quality of engagement among learners may vary, off-task behavior of one or more learners may still be a concern. Off-task behavior does not only denote unacceptable behavior. All unacceptable behavior however, is off-task behavior.

Sample Professional Growth Activity 1
Comprehension
  1. Review Teaching and Learning Component II.D in the PACES Teaching and Learning Professional Growth Manual and this Teacher Guide to PACES.
    2.  
  2. Recognize the distinctions between on-task, engaged, and involved as addressed in the manual.
    3.  
  3. Have your Colleague Teacher sit in on one of your classes for observation of effective learner engagement. The Colleague Teacher should routinely scan classroom during observation noting how many learners are actively engaged in learning activities throughout the lesson.
    4.  
  4. Access chat rooms in a few education web sites recommended by colleagues, the District Office of Instructional Technology, or the listing in the PACES Web Site and engage colleagues in a discussion of monitoring and managing of learner engagement. Take notes on suggested strategies.
Practical Application
  1. Using self-assessment data, strategies gleaned from web site chats, and feedback provided by your Colleague Teacher, develop a one-day lesson plan to incorporate effective monitoring of learner engagement and redirection of off-task learners in the class.
Assessment
  1. Reflect in writing upon the effectiveness of the developed plan.

Sample Professional Growth Activity 2
Comprehension
  1. Review Teaching and Learning Component II.D in the PACES Teaching and Learning Professional Growth Manual and this Teacher Guide to PACES.
    2.  
  2. Using the PACES manual, define in writing the term learner engagement and what is meant by a high level of quality and quantity of learner engagement.
    3.  
  3. Observe an experienced colleague to gain an understanding of effective methods used to scan and to promote high levels of learner engagement.
    4.  
  4. While observing in your colleague's classroom, routinely scan and take notes as to colleague's teaching strategies and corresponding levels of learner engagement.

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