Factors Influencing Student Engagement

Maria DeVito Sacred Heart University, mariadevito@gmail.com

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess and outline major factors influencing student

engagement in the middle school context. In order to contribute to the existing body of

research and to benefit students by outlining the particular aspects of learning experience

that are related to engagement, a case study has been carried out, which sought to analyze

the students’ schooling experience as a source of valuable data. Qualitative methods of data
collection were applied during the study. The survey, focus-group interview, and

observations allowed classifying the factors influencing the levels of engagement among

the study participants into five major clusters: 1) communication, collaboration, active

involvement into learning activities, and enriching educational experiences; 2) interactions

between students and teachers; 3) levels of academic challenge; 4) supporting classroom

environment; and 5) supporting family environment. These clusters unite factors that were

found to produce the greatest influence on students’ eagerness to participate in in-class

activities and on students’ perception of the importance of education, as well as desire to

succeed academically. Key words: student engagement; behavioral engagement; emotional

engagement; cognitive engagement; learning community; family engagement; classroom

environment; instructional style.

3 - Always 2 – Sometimes 1 – Never

Classroom Activities 3 2 1

1. The pupils participate in various activities and formulate

new ideas

2. The pupil foster active collaboration of learning to his/her

classmate

3. The pupil has an interest in active participation

4. The pupil innovate new ideas to come up with an output

5. The pupil create information with his/her classmate in

order to achieved the learning targets

 6. The pupil recognize the importance of group activities

inside the classroom

7. The pupil develop new insights to gain access for a better

grades

8. The pupils improve social support for learning and

encourage his/her to take classmate to take risks, ask

questions, and make mistake

9. The pupils connect opportunities to develop abilities in

critical thinking

10. The pupils gain high grades by involving herself/himself

in classroom activities.

Clas1sroom Participation

1. The pupil participate in oral recitation

2. The pupil participate in all kinds of group activities

3. The pupil contribute a better idea to have a better outpu4

4. The pupil do the assigned task at all times

5. The pupil develop intellectual curiosity, reasoning,

analyzing, problem solving, communicating

6. The pupil experience s learning inside and outside of

school by exposing them to digital technologies in

knowledge building environments

7. The pupils engage themselves in multi intelligences

activities
 8. The pupil promote sense of ownership and responsibility

for their own learning

9. The pupil use work that is relevant, interesting, and

connects with s1 aspirations

10. The pupil encourages his/her classmate to participate in

group activity

Thank you!