Keeping students engaged in today’s classrooms is a challenge. With shrinking attention spans and diverse learning needs, teachers need fresh strategies to make lessons stick. For Indian schools, this means blending traditional methods with modern tools while staying budget-friendly. Here are eight practical ways to boost engagement in your classroom.
Fostering student engagement in modern classrooms
1. Understand student interests
Start by knowing what excites the students. A Class 8 student in Mumbai might love cricket, while a Class 10 student in Jaipur could be passionate about folk art. Use surveys or casual chats to discover their hobbies. Then, link lessons to these interests.
Example: A maths teacher in Chennai taught geometry using cricket pitch measurements. Students calculated angles between wickets or the radius of the ball.
2. Use interactive activities
Long lectures rarely work today. Swap them for:
- Group projects: Divide students into teams to solve real-world problems, like designing a rainwater harvesting model.
- Role play: Act out historical events or scientific processes.
- Quizzes: Use apps like Kahoot! for live quizzes. Students compete using smartphones.
3. Mix technology wisely
You don’t need expensive gadgets. Use what’s available:
- Videos: Show short clips from YouTube to explain tough topics, like how dams generate electricity.
- Free apps: Google Classroom helps share assignments. Canva lets students create digital posters.
- Virtual field trips: Explore the Taj Mahal or the Himalayas via Google Earth.
Example: A Pune school used VR headsets (borrowed from a local NGO) to take students on a virtual tour of the Red Fort.
4. Connect lessons to real life
Students tune out when they can’t see the ‘why’ behind a lesson. Fix this by:
- Local examples: Teach percentages using discount offers at nearby shops.
- Guest speakers: Invite farmers, nurses, or engineers to explain how they use school subjects daily.
- Community projects: Clean a local park to teach biology (ecosystems) or civics (public responsibility).
Case study: A Delhi NCR school can partner with an NGO to teach chemistry through water testing in village wells.
5. Encourage questions and debates
Indian classrooms often prioritise silence. Flip this. Let students ask ‘why’ or ‘how’.
- Question boxes: Place a box where students drop anonymous questions. Answer them weekly.
- Debates: Hold monthly debates on topics like ‘Online learning vs. offline’.
- Wrong answers welcome: Reward creative answers, even if incorrect. A teacher can give ‘innovation stars’ for unique ideas.
6. Give timely feedback
Students disengage if they don’t know how they’re doing. Try:
- Weekly check-ins: Spend 5 minutes per student to discuss progress.
- Peer reviews: Let students grade each other’s essays using simple rubrics.
- Digital tools: Use apps like ClassDojo to share feedback with parents.
Example: A school can send voice notes to parents via WhatsApp, highlighting student strengths.
7. Make classrooms flexible
The rows of desks feel rigid. Rearrange spaces to suit activities:
- Reading corners: Add mats and cushions for quiet reading time.
- Lab-style seating: Group desks for experiments or group work.
- Outdoor classes: Teach history under a tree or maths on the playground.
Example: A rural school may use chalkboards on tree trunks for outdoor lessons.
8. Involve parents and communities
Parents are key allies. Engage them through:
- Monthly workshops: Show them how to support homework or manage screen time.
- Festival projects: Assign Diwali rangoli designs (maths symmetry) or Eid recipe fractions.
- Local mentors: Pair students with village artisans or farmers for skill-building.
How NBFCs can help schools
Many schools lack funds for smart boards or tablets. Non-banking financial companies offer low-interest loans for educational tools. For instance, schools can borrow funds from an NBFC to buy second-hand tablets. They can use them for interactive science apps.
Tap online platforms for resources
Online marketplaces help schools find affordable supplies. This way, a teacher can buy maths kits for half the price online. Schools can also sell student-made crafts or art on these platforms to fund projects.
Start small, think big
- Pick one idea: Try a weekly debate or a virtual field trip.
- Use free tools: Use free tools like WhatsApp for parent updates and YouTube for videos.
- Celebrate progress: Share student wins in assemblies or local newspapers.
Final thoughts
Engaged students aren’t just attentive—they’re curious, creative, and confident. You don’t need fancy tools or big budgets. Use local resources, listen to students, and keep it real. An engaged child will walk into class with a smile, not a groan. With NBFC loans for tech upgrades and online marketplaces for cheap supplies, even small-town schools can create vibrant classrooms.