Student engagement improves academic performance, life skills, emotional wellbeing, resilience & fosters a sense of belonging.
Active learning, personalized instruction, clear expectations, and an active teacher presence can boost student involvement and success.
Types of engagement include behavioral, cognitive, and emotional.
Just because a student is not throwing spitballs and shouting out does not guarantee that they are truly engaged in learning.
Having been in education for almost two decades, I have learned that engaging students in the learning process is more than just capturing their attention. It’s about inspiring curiosity, fostering a love of learning, and ensuring they are active participants in their educational journey.
In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, traditional teaching methods alone may not suffice. To truly connect with students, educators must employ dynamic strategies that cater to diverse learning styles and interests.
From interactive platforms to personalized learning experiences, these strategies can transform classrooms into vibrant spaces where students not only absorb information but also collaborate, think critically, and apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Education Exercises for free. These ready-made tools are perfect for enhancing your teaching approach, making it easier to engage students in meaningful, student-centered learning.
Understanding the Principles of Student Engagement
The principles of engagement are foundational to stimulating academic success and retention. Based on current research, the key principles revolve around behavioral, cognitive, and emotional dimensions of engagement (Xu et al., 2023).
Behavioral engagement involves students’ participation in academic and extracurricular activities, adherence to rules, and effort put into learning tasks (Hong et al., 2020). Active participation in class discussions, consistent attendance, and assignment submission are markers of behavioral engagement. It has been shown that high behavioral engagement contributes to better academic outcomes and retention (Sá, 2023).
Cognitive engagement refers to students’ investment in their learning process, including the use of deep learning strategies, critical thinking, and the desire to understand complex concepts (Sesmiyanti, 2018). Students engaged cognitively are more likely to persist through challenges, develop grit, and achieve deeper mastery of the material (Sá, 2023).
Emotional engagement reflects students’ feelings of belonging, interest, and enthusiasm. Students who feel connected to their institution and emotionally supported are more likely to remain engaged and committed to their studies (Senior et al., 2018).
In addition to these principles, there are additional hierarchical levels of engagement that students may experience (Schlechty, 2002).
Working compliance
Students do just enough to meet expectations but are minimally engaged.
Strategic compliance
Students are motivated by external rewards and are generally more engaged than those in working compliance.
Cooperative compliance
Students work well with others and are engaged in the learning process; however, they may not have a deep interest in the subject matter.
Authentic engagement
Students at this level are genuinely interested in the material, which they find relevant and meaningful. Their motivation is intrinsic, and they are involved in the learning process.
Intellectual engagement
Students at this highest level of engagement are not only genuinely interested in the content but also think critically about it. These students are also deeply involved in the learning process and engage in higher-order thinking skills.
To learn more about these levels, please check out this video.
The 5 levels of engagement by Schlechty: A simple guide
The Benefits of Involved Students
Involved students tend to experience a variety of benefits that positively impact their academic success and overall wellbeing.
One significant benefit is improved academic performance (Fredricks et al., 2016). Students who engage in extracurricular activities, student governance, or academic clubs are often more connected to their educational institutions, which fosters a sense of belonging and motivation to succeed academically.
Research indicates that these students typically are less likely to drop out of school and more likely to persist through challenges (Sá, 2023). Their engagement in both academic and non-academic aspects of campus life enhances their time management and critical thinking skills, which contribute to better academic outcomes (Fredricks et al., 2016).
Another key benefit of student involvement is the development of essential life skills. Participation in extracurricular activities helps students build teamwork, leadership, and communication skills, which are crucial for both academic and professional success.
Involved students also report higher levels of emotional and social engagement, which are critical to mental health and resilience (Trowler, 2010).
Being engaged in social and academic communities fosters a sense of identity and belonging, which can mitigate feelings of isolation and anxiety often experienced during challenging academic transitions (Sá, 2023).
Overall, engaged students are better equipped to navigate their academic paths and professional careers.
Now that we have a clear understanding of the principles of student engagement, let’s explore a bit further. Student engagement is typically categorized by three main principles or types: behavioral, emotional, and cognitive engagement. These types cover the different ways students interact with their learning environments, peers, and academic content.
Behavioral engagement
Behavioral engagement refers to the visible actions that students take to participate in their learning process, which leads to higher academic performance (Fredricks et al., 2016).
This includes attending classes regularly, participating in discussions, completing assignments on time, and engaging in extracurricular activities.
For example, a student who consistently attends lectures, submits homework, and participates in class discussions demonstrates high behavioral engagement. At the elementary school level, it may also include a student who is tracking the speaker with their eyes and listening to what is being said. It may also include basic actions such as adhering to school rules and norms.
Emotional engagement
Emotional engagement involves feelings and attitudes students have toward their school, peers, teachers, and learning tasks (Li & Lerner, 2013). Students who feel a sense of belonging and attachment to their school are emotionally engaged.
Students who are emotionally engaged may participate in school spirit days or be involved with extracurricular activities. Students who enjoy learning, feel connected to their classmates, and experience positive relationships with teachers demonstrate high emotional engagement.
Emotional engagement also involves enthusiasm and interest in school-related activities, which may include clubs, societies, sports, and academic teams. This type of engagement is closely related to motivation and is key to fostering long-term academic persistence (Trowler, 2010).
Cognitive engagement
Cognitive engagement refers to the level of intellectual investment students put into learning. It includes the use of deep learning strategies, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and the willingness to persevere through challenges (Estévez et al., 2021).
A cognitively engaged student, for example, will not only complete assignments but seek to understand underlying concepts and think critically about the material. Cognitive engagement is crucial for long-term learning and academic growth, as it reflects students’ efforts to connect, apply, and integrate knowledge (Fredricks et al., 2016).
How to Measure Student Involvement: 8 Questionnaires
Measuring student engagement is important because it provides insights into how actively and emotionally invested students are in learning.
This is directly linked to their academic success, motivation, and overall wellbeing. High engagement levels often correlate with better learning outcomes and reduced dropout rates (Fredricks et al., 2004).
Students’ engagement can be measured in various ways, including instructor observations of student behavior, students’ self-reports, and administrative records (Mandernach, 2015).
The following is a list and brief description of common student involvement questionnaires provided by Mandernach (2015).
National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)
This questionnaire measures institutional engagement and requires students to self-assess their own level of engagement by way of behavioral indicators.
Measurement connotes five dimensions of engagement:
Student–faculty interaction
Level of academic challenge
Active and collaborative learning
Supportive campus environment
Enriching educational experiences
For more information on this tool, as well as how to register, view this website.
Faculty Survey of Student Engagement (FSSE)
Adapted from the NSSE, this survey takes the perspective of faculty members on student engagement.
For more information on this tool, as well as how to register, view the FSSE website.
Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE)
Also adapted from the NSSE, the questionnaire highlights the unique missions, objectives, and student populations of two-year community colleges.
For more information on this tool, as well as how to register, view the CCSSE website.
Student Engagement Questionnaire (SEQ)
Administered at key stages, this resource collects data on students’ holistic experiences.
For more information on this tool, as well as how to register, view the website here.
College Student Experience Questionnaire (CSEQ)
This questionnaire aims to assess college students’ perceptions of their overall learning environment.
Here is a link for the CSEQ. Please note that this tool has been closed; however, institutions and independent researchers can apply to license items from this questionnaire for local assessment and research purposes.
College Student Expectation Questionnaire (CSXQ)
This questionnaire specifically examines new students’ perspectives on college activities and campus environment.
For more information on this tool, as well as how to register, view the website. Please note that this tool has been closed; however, institutions and independent researchers can apply to license items from this questionnaire for local assessment and research purposes.
Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement (BCSSE)
Similar to the CSXQ, this questionnaire also assesses beginning students’ engagement dimensions.
For more information on this tool, as well as how to register, view the BCSSE website.
College Senior Survey (CSS)
Geared for graduating seniors, this exit survey addresses student engagement and beyond.
For more information on this tool, as well as how to register, view the website.
Free personalized resource for you - take the quiz
7 Evidence-Based Strategies to Increase Student Engagement
Increasing student engagement promotes learning, retention, and academic success (Carini et al., 2006). The following evidence-based strategies can significantly enhance student engagement in the classroom.
1. Active learning
Active learning techniques, such as group discussions, solving tasks, and peer teaching, engage students more effectively than passive listening.
Research shows that active learning promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and knowledge retention (Freeman et al., 2014).
Incorporating activities that require students to apply concepts can improve engagement by making the material more relevant and interactive.
2. Formative assessment and feedback
Frequent formative assessments, such as quizzes, reflections, or low-stakes tests, provide opportunities for students to monitor their progress.
Timely and specific feedback helps students stay engaged and motivated by giving them a clear sense of how they are performing and what they can improve on (Hattie & Timperley, 2007).
Feedback should focus on both effort and achievement to keep students motivated.
3. Collaborative learning
Strategies such as group work, peer assessments, and cooperative projects foster engagement by promoting interaction among students.
Group activities help students feel connected to their peers and the material, improving engagement through social support and collective problem-solving (Laal & Ghodsi, 2012).
Student engagement through a different lens - Candy Suiso
To learn about an incredible collaborative learning project involving their creative media program, check out this TEDx Talk by Candy Suiso.
4. Culturally responsive teaching
Integrating elements of gamification, such as point systems, badges, and leaderboards, can increase engagement by making learning more interactive and enjoyable.
Research indicates that gamified learning environments can boost motivation and participation, particularly for students who are motivated by competition and achievement (Dichev & Dicheva, 2017; Gay, 2018).
We will dive deeper into student engagement platforms in just a bit; however, you may want to view this video to learn more about incorporating games in your classroom.
10 Strategies & tips to increase student engagement
5. Personalized learning
Tailoring instruction to individual students’ needs, interests, and learning styles helps increase engagement by making lessons more relevant and accessible.
Personalized instruction often leads to greater academic performance and motivation (Pane et al., 2015). One way to implement this strategy is to use technology to offer adaptive learning paths.
6. Clear and high expectations
Setting high expectations and communicating them clearly encourages students to engage by giving them a clear sense of purpose.
Research suggests that students are more motivated and perform better when they are challenged with high expectations, provided that appropriate support is in place to help them succeed (Marzano, 2007).
7. Active teacher presence
An active, supportive teacher presence in both face-to-face and online classrooms helps to maintain student engagement.
Teachers who actively participate in discussions, provide feedback, and demonstrate enthusiasm for the subject matter tend to foster higher levels of engagement in their students (Baker, 2010).
4 Tips for Promoting Flow States in the Classroom
Promoting a state of flow in the classroom — where students are fully immersed and engaged in learning — requires a strategic approach that blends effective teaching practices with an understanding of what drives student engagement.
Goals
Set clear goals that are challenging yet attainable. When students understand the purpose of their tasks and see a direct connection to their learning objectives, they are more likely to enter a state of flow (Locke & Latham, 2002).
Skills vs. challenge
Flow occurs when there is a balance between the challenge of the task and the student’s skill level. Tasks that are too simple may lead to boredom, while tasks that are too difficult can cause anxiety. This balance is crucial for maintaining engagement and encouraging a state of flow (Cevikbas & Kaiser, 2022).
Foster autonomy
Allowing students some degree of choice in their learning activities increases their intrinsic motivation.
This can be achieved through flexible learning spaces where students can decide how and where to work, as well as through personalized learning approaches that tailor tasks to individual interests and strengths (Kariippanon et al., 2019).
Peer interaction
Collaborative learning activities, such as peer review and group work, enhance engagement by providing social interaction and shared problem-solving opportunities.
These activities should be structured to ensure that all students contribute and learn from each other, which also supports a flow experience (Kariippanon et al., 2019).
Relationships are an influential aspect of student engagement. Understanding this stimulus, peer support will have an equally positive impact on student engagement.
Student engagement platforms are digital tools designed to enhance involvement, participation, and interaction in educational settings.
They offer various features that nurture collaboration, communication, and personalized learning experiences. Examples of popular student engagement platforms include Nearpod, Padlet, Kahoot!, Flip, Google Classroom, Mentimeter, and Pear Deck.
Learning platforms that incorporate parent communication include Remind, ClassDojo, Seesaw, and Edmodo.
Pros
Such student engagement platforms offer numerous advantages in enhancing students’ educational experiences. They foster active learning by encouraging student participation and interaction, which has been linked to improved academic outcomes (Alsubhi et al., 2019).
Additionally, these platforms facilitate personalized learning, allowing educators to tailor content to individual student needs, thereby improving retention (St-Hilaire et al., 2021).
The interactive nature of these tools also promotes collaborative learning, helping students develop critical thinking and teamwork skills (Resta & Laferrière, 2007).
Cons
While student engagement platforms offer significant benefits, they also present challenges. One concern is the potential for increased screen time, which could negatively impact students’ psychological wellbeing, including increased distractibility, less emotional stability, inability to finish tasks, and reduced attention spans (Twenge & Campbell, 2018).
Further, the over-reliance on digital tools can diminish face-to-face interactions, potentially weakening students’ social skills and real-world communication abilities (Turkle, 2016).
Top 17 Exercises for Positive Education
Use these 17 Positive Education Exercises [PDF] to enhance student engagement, resilience, and wellbeing while also equipping students with valuable life skills.
As you may already know, PositivePsychology.com offers a wealth of valuable resources, including student engagement tools. With worksheets, articles, and various tools, we’re confident you’ll find these materials incredibly useful.
Worksheets
Reflection is often helpful in maintaining engagement in a task. It will help the students determine what is helping them be successful and what may be holding them back. Our Student Work Reflection worksheet can help students organize their thoughts concerning school projects.
Appropriate but rigorous goals will also help promote academic engagement. Our Student Session Notes worksheet may be modified from a counselor’s focus to a student success coach’s focus. In this resource, students list the goals discussed and what next steps to take to achieve those goals.
Articles
Our article How to Motivate Students focuses on increasing student motivation. It contains an explanation of the science of motivation as well as advice on how to incite student motivation in the classroom and in the virtual setting.
Once students get a taste of success, they will want to work hard to maintain that success. Help students get that first bite of academic achievement by reviewing our Ensuring Student Success article. In this piece, you will learn about science-backed strategies to help students succeed, including information on success plans and success coaches.
Tools
Positive education is an approach to cultivating student motivation and academic engagement. Our 17 Positive Education Exercises will help you develop the skills to implement positive education. Some of these exercises address finding flow in the classroom, classroom service projects, and value visualization, just to name a few.
A Take-Home Message
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, student engagement is the key to unlocking potential and fostering lifelong learners.
By embracing innovative strategies that prioritize active participation, relevance, and collaboration, educators can transform their classrooms into dynamic spaces where curiosity thrives and knowledge flourishes.
As we continue to explore and implement these principles, the goal remains clear: to inspire students to not only absorb information but actively engage with it and apply it. With the right strategies, every student can be empowered.
Student engagement may look like the following: active participation, attentiveness, completion of assignments, attendance, positive attitude, interest/curiosity, connection to school, critical thinking, persistence, metacognition, collaboration, communication, interactive learning, seeking feedback, and self-reflection.
Why is student engagement important?
Student engagement ensures that the student succeeds academically and develops the skills, attitudes, and resilience needed for lifelong learning and success.
What factors influence student engagement?
The following are a few factors that may influence student engagement: learning styles, motivation, social–emotional factors, student interests, self-efficacy, student-teacher relationships, school culture, parental involvement, and peer influence.
References
Alsubhi, M. A., Ashaari, N. S., & Wook, T. S. M. T. (2019). The challenge of increasing student engagement in e-learning platforms. In 2019 International Conference on Electrical Engineering and Informatics (pp. 266–271). IEEE. http://doi.org/10.1109/ICEEI47359.2019.8988908
Baker, C. (2010). The impact of instructor immediacy and presence for online student affective learning, cognition, and motivation. The Journal of Educators Online, 7(1). http://doi.org/10.9743/JEO.2010.1.2
Carini, R. M., Kuh, G. D., & Klein, S. P. (2006). Student engagement and student learning: Testing the linkages. Research in Higher Education, 47(1), 1–32. http://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-005-8150-9
Cevikbas, M., & Kaiser, G. (2022). Promoting personalized learning in flipped classrooms: A systematic review study. Sustainability, 14(18), Article 11393. http://doi.org/10.3390/su141811393
Dichev, C., & Dicheva, D. (2017). Gamifying education: What is known, what is believed, and what remains uncertain: A critical review. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 14(1), Article 9. http://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-017-0042-5
Estévez, I., Rodríguez-Llorente, C., Piñeiro, I., González-Suárez, R., & Valle, A. (2021). School engagement, academic achievement, and self-regulated learning. Sustainability, 13(6), Article 3011. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063011
Fredricks, J. A., Blumenfeld, P. C., & Paris, A. H. (2004). School engagement: Potential of the concept, state of the evidence. Review of Educational Research, 74(1), 59–109. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543074001059
Fredricks, J. A., Filsecker, M., & Lawson, M. A. (2016). Student engagement, context, and adjustment: Addressing definitional, measurement, and methodological issues. Learning and Instruction, 43, 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2016.02.002
Freeman, S., Eddy, S. L., McDonough, M., Smith, M. K., Okoroafor, N., Jordt, H., & Wenderoth, M. P. (2014). Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 111(23), 8410–8415. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1319030111
Gay, G. (2018). Culturally responsive teaching: Theory, research, and practice. Teachers College Press.
Hong, W., Zhen, R., Liu, R., Wang, M., Ding, Y., & Wang, J. (2020). The longitudinal linkages among Chinese children’s behavioural, cognitive, and emotional engagement within a mathematics context. Educational Psychology, 40(6), 666–680. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410.2020.1719981
Kariippanon, K. E., Cliff, D. P., Lancaster, S. J., Okely, A. D., & Parrish, A. M. (2019). Flexible learning spaces facilitate interaction, collaboration and behavioural engagement in secondary school. PLOS ONE, 14(10), Article e0223607. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0223607
Li, Y., & Lerner, R. (2013). Interrelations of behavioral, emotional, and cognitive school engagement in high school students. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 42, 20–32. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-012-9857-5
Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2002). Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation: A 35-year odyssey. American Psychologist, 57(9), 705–717. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.57.9.705
Mandernach, B. J. (2015). Assessment of student engagement in higher education: A synthesis of literature and assessment tools. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 12(2), 1–14.
Marzano, R. J. (2007). The art and science of teaching: A comprehensive framework for effective instruction. ASCD.
Pane, J. F., Steiner, E. D., Baird, M. D., & Hamilton, L. S. (2015). Continued progress: Promising evidence on personalized learning. RAND Corporation.
Resta, P., & Laferrière, T. (2007). Technology in support of collaborative learning. Educational Psychology Review, 19(1), 65–83. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-007-9042-7
Sá, M. J. (2023). Student academic and social engagement in the life of the academy—A lever for retention and persistence in higher education. Education Sciences, 13(3), Article 269. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13030269
Schlechty, P. C. (2002). Working on the work: An action plan for teachers, principals, and superintendents. Jossey-Bass.
Senior, R. M., Bartholomew, P., Soor, A., Shepperd, D., Bartholomew, N., & Senior, C. (2018). “The rules of engagement”: Student engagement and motivation to improve the quality of undergraduate learning. Frontiers in Education, 3, Article 32. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2018.00032
St-Hilaire, F., Burns, N., Belfer, R., Shayan, M., Smofsky, A., Vu, D., Frau, A., Potochny, J., Faraji, F., Pavero, V., Ko, N., Ching, A., Elkins, S., Stepanyan, A., Matajova, A., Charlin, L., Bengio, Y., Serban, I., & Kochmar, E. (2021). A comparative study of learning outcomes for online learning platforms. In I. Roll, D. McNamara, S. Sosnovsky, R. Luckin, & V. Dimitrova (Eds.), Artificial Intelligence in Education: 22nd International Conference, AIED 2021, Utrecht, The Netherlands, June 14–18, 2021, Proceedings, Part II (pp. 331–337). Springer.
Trowler, V. (2010). Student engagement literature review. Higher Education Academy.
Turkle, S. (2016). Reclaiming conversation: The power of talk in a digital age. Penguin.
Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2018). Associations between screen time and lower psychological well-being among children and adolescents: Evidence from a population-based study. Preventive Medicine Reports, 12, 271–283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.10.003
Xu, X., Shi, Z., Bos, N., & Wu, H. (2023). Student engagement and learning outcomes: An empirical study applying a four-dimensional framework. Medical Education Online, 28(1), Article 2268347. https://doi.org/10.1080/10872981.2023.2268347
About the author
Tiffany Sauber Millacci, Ph.D., is an educator who works with both university and elementary students. As a lifelong learner, she is driven by a passion for research and enjoys translating her findings into writing to share her knowledge with others.
Just because a student is not throwing spitballs and shouting out does not guarantee that they are truly engaged in learning.
Measuring student engagement is important because it provides insights into how actively and emotionally invested students are in learning.
Promoting a 
