Teaching & Learning Tribune

News from the Royal ISD Department of Teaching & Learning

Importance of Engagement

In the world of education, student engagement has long been recognized as a key factor in academic success. Teachers play a critical role in keeping their students engaged, and research has shown that engaged students are more likely to achieve better outcomes, including higher grades, greater knowledge retention, and a greater likelihood of pursuing higher education.

One of the most important benefits of student engagement is that it promotes a positive classroom environment. When students are actively participating in classroom discussions, asking questions, and working collaboratively, they are more likely to feel connected to their classmates and to their teacher. This, in turn, can lead to greater motivation, higher self-esteem, and increased interest in the subject matter.

Student engagement also fosters critical thinking skills. Engaged students are more likely to ask questions, analyze information, and evaluate arguments, which helps to develop their analytical and problem-solving abilities. It is crucial for developing lifelong learning habits. When students are engaged in their studies, they are more likely to become curious about the world around them and to seek out opportunities to learn more. This can lead to a lifetime of intellectual curiosity and a commitment to ongoing personal and professional development.

As teachers, it is our responsibility to create a classroom environment that fosters student engagement. This means using a variety of teaching methods, incorporating student feedback, and creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment. By doing so, we can help our students to achieve their full potential, both academically and personally.

#CelebratingOthers

The Department of Teaching and Learning is excited about the opportunity to celebrate individuals throughout the district. For the month of February, we had an opportunity to celebrate staff members who were recognized by their campus Instructional Coaches.


Enjoy the celebration pictures below!!!

Learning Styles - Myth or Fact?

Here is what I learned this month from Carnegie Learning and I wanted to share with you:

"If asked, some people will tell you they have a learning style - the expressed preference in learning by seeing images, hearing speech, seeing words, or being able to physically interact with the material. Some people even believe that it is the teacher's job to present the information in accordance with that preference.

However, it turns out that the best scientific evidence available does not support learning styles. In other words, when an auditory learner receives instruction about content through a visual mode, they do just as well as auditory learners who receive spoken information. Students may have a preference for visuals or writing or sound, but sticking to their preference doesn't help them learn any better. Far more important is ensuring the student is engaged in an interactive learning activity and the new information connects to the student's prior knowledge."


So what does it all mean? Prior knowledge and formative assessments are far more important to student's success. Learning styles? Not so much :-)