Social Engagement Overview
Essential Question
How can teachers improve social engagement in their classrooms to shift from student engagement to student empowerment?
Module Goal
To create an understanding of socially responsive teaching practices that allow for student empowerment in the classroom
Module Objectives
Participants will explore social empowerment strategies within the classroom.
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Participants will reflect on how they are encouraging social empowerment within their classroom.
What is Social Engagement?
Social engagement is defined as a students’ involvement in the classroom community, be it through participation in activities and assignments or communication with peers (EdTech Times, 2013).
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How can we improve social engagement in our classrooms?
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Social engagement can be improved through peer relationships, student-teacher relationships, encouraging social responsibility outside of the classroom, and building confidence in students’ understandings of classroom activities and procedures. When students feel encouraged and comfortable, they are more likely to participate. Cooperative learning techniques allow for classrooms to become true learning communities (Berman, 1990). Fostering social empowerment focuses on building students' intrapersonal and interactional skills.