Supporting Classroom Engagement through Emotional Connection

Adult learners can be notoriously stubborn and less receptive to change, leading to reduced engagement in a classroom setting. Here are five tips for creating emotional connections to increase classroom engagement.

Growing up, school was a place many kids groaned about attending every day. From having to wake up early to slogging through a day of classes, school often incited apathy. As an adult educator, I now empathize with my old teachers and understand the struggle to engage students. In an age of technology, it’s even harder to focus a learner’s attention on anything other than phone alerts or email. With life events warring for attention, students lose their emotional investment in education. The question I ask myself is: How to flip the switch from non-engaged to an engaged learner?

Engaged Learners

First, let’s look at the characteristics of an interested learner. An engaged learner doesn’t have to be a facsimile of Dead Poet’s Society, but does precisely that — engages. They are curious, ask questions, and are responsive in a classroom.

There are many variables indicating engagement, but the one to look for? Participation. The student will answer and ask questions and show a natural curiosity. They will also participate non-verbally through body…