Previously, we mentioned how gaps in foundational knowledge and long feedback loops can make subjects seem challenging to students. In this post, we will discuss the link between unengaged learning and its negative consequences.
Why Engagement Matters?
Have you ever found yourself completely bored by a drama, reaching for your phone or switching channels? Conversely, have you ever been so engrossed in a show that you couldn’t look away for hours? Was there a huge difference in your viewing experience?
Similar to the way that we can be captivated or bored by a drama, students can experience varying levels of engagement in their learning which can affect their learning outcomes. Unengaged learning occurs when students are bored and become partially involved in the educational process.
They exhibit behaviours such as inattentiveness in class, low participation, poor academic performance to a lack of motivation to complete assignments. This is unsurprising given our brain’s innate desire for stimulation and challenge. When deprived of cognitive engagement, our minds wander, diminishing focus and hindering our ability to retain information.
When students tune out, their grades and well-being often follow suit. Disengaged students often find learning to be much harder than it actually is. This happens because the brain allocates fewer cognitive resources to processing information, making even simple concepts seem overwhelming. This distorted perception of learning creates a cycle of frustration and difficulty.
Left unchecked, student disengagement can snowball into poor academic performance. A growing body of research indicates a direct link between disengagement and elevated stress levels. As students fall further behind, feelings of overwhelm and anxiety intensify.
Outcomes Over Learning: A Recipe for Disengagement?
Unfortunately, some parents and schools become overly focused on getting good grades, which has overshadowed the cultivation of genuine learning in many educational settings. This excessive emphasis on test scores creates a stressful and anxious environment where teens feel pressured to succeed at all costs.
When only the final results matter, students prioritize achievement over understanding. This narrow focus on outcomes causes students to neglect the learning journey itself, stifling curiosity, skills development and a love for learning.
When learning becomes solely a means to get good grades, the joy and intrinsic motivation associated with the process of learning often disappears. Opting for quick wins, many students end up prioritizing memorization over deep understanding to boost their grades.
This shortcut, while effective in the short term, undermines the development of foundational skills and competencies that are crucial for adaptability and handling complex tasks. This creates significant obstacles in the future when students progress to higher education or enter into the professional world.
Furthermore, pressuring disengaged students to achieve specific outcomes can create feelings of resentment and intensify their stress levels. As the gap between expectations and their perceived capabilities widens, students may experience an internal conflict that undermines their sense of control and autonomy.
Young students are naturally curious and get interested in things easily. When these eager learners become disengaged, is the problem with the student or the environment? Follow to find out more in part 4.
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