Something to ponder. Are your students participating or are they engaged?

                                                

I have been thinking about the terms participate and engage a lot lately.  I was recently at a conference about best practices in teaching and a small debate was started because the terms were used as if they were the same.   Being in curriculum and working with teachers, I know that they often think students that are participating are also engaged.  Are teachers evaluated on the number of students who participate or how many engaged? Is there a set understanding and clear expectations of what participation and engagement is or looks like?  I wonder how many educators know the difference between the two terms.  Below are a set if definitions for each term.  See if you can match the terms to the definitions.

To take or have a part or share, as with others

To occupy the attention or efforts of a person or persons

To be involved with others in doing something

To get and keep someone’s attention, interest

How would you describe the following student examples in terms of participation and engagement?

A.       Student listens to teacher, answers all questions correctly when called upon, no behavior problems and quietly completes all his work.

B.       Student listens to teacher, raises hand to answer questions, but answers are not always correct, ask questions about concept that are beyond the lesson for the day, constantly talking to classmate about today’s lesson and does not complete all his work.

Can you have participation without engagement?