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Engaged learning 5.3.4

Learner engagement is key for effective learning to take place. Learners are engaged not only when we see participation, activity, use of a piece of technology here and there but when, after evaluation of the engagement process, we are able to note without reason to doubt that there is:
Creativity; critical thinking which generates new ideas and opinions/questions; application of knowledge to solve real problems in the local and global communities; collaboration between learners to create new and relevant content using a series of platforms e.g. google docs; ability of the learner to evaluate themselves in a series of tasks that the teacher gives from time to time. To mention but afew. These and a lot more can be used gauge effectiveness of learner engagement.

Much as presence of technology in a lesson in itself is not proof of learner engagement, the role of technology in ensuring learner engagement cannot be down played. Phones have been used by teachers to engage learners through platforms like twitter when they (teachers) allow the learners the freedom to share their thoughts out in a feed and the feeds (at times) are displayed for general follow up and follow through by colleagues via a display screen in class. This enables learners who would have hesitated to raise their hands and make their contributions to ably participate and have their say in the classroom. Polleverywhere has been used for a similar function. Kahoot - a popular tool for quizzing the learners and giving them live display of their score (with complete anonymity) - allows learners to evaluate and assess themselves in real time and with passion.
Limitations of technology as an engagement tool comes to light when we fail to control it and it causes the learners revert back to their default noneducational activities. The teachers therefore have to play the umpire role as technologies are introduced in the classroom. With proper supervision, planning and design of lesson activities by the teacher the ways in which we can use technology to enhance learner engagement are unlimited.

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