ENHANCING STUDENT ENGAGEMENT THROUGH ACTIVE LEARNING STRATEGIES

Abstract

Student engagement plays a crucial role in the learning process, directly influencing motivation, participation, and overall academic performance. However, many educators struggle to keep students actively involved in classroom activities. Traditional teaching methods, which often rely on passive learning, may not effectively capture students' attention or promote deeper understanding. This action research aims to examine the impact of active learning strategies on student engagement. Specifically, it seeks to identify which strategies most effectively enhance engagement, how they influence students’ attention, motivation, and collaboration, and how increased engagement affects academic performance. This action research employed a cycle of Action, Observation, and Reflection as its methodology. Active learning strategies were introduced, and student engagement was closely observed to assess their effectiveness. Based on these observations, adjustments were made to enhance the learning experience. This continuous cycle allowed for ongoing evaluation of how the implemented strategies influenced both student engagement and academic performance. The findings reveal that the use of active learning strategies increased students’ engagement and participation in classroom activities. These strategies enhanced students’ focus, motivation, and collaboration, fostering a sense of ownership while promoting teamwork and communication. Approaches such as collaborative group work, peer teaching, and “reflect and discuss” activities were particularly effective, as students were noticeably more active and participative. They demonstrated greater focus and involvement during class.  However, the Pre-test and Post-test data showed that the use of active learning strategies had a limited impact on academic performance. Specifically, 62.06% of students scored lower on the Post-test, while a combined 38.24% either improved or maintained the same scores in both assessments. The researchers emphasize that employing a variety of active learning strategies is effective in increasing students’ engagement within the classroom environment. These strategies positively influence students’ interest, motivation, and participation in the subject, even though their impact on academic performance may be limited. Therefore, the consistent and varied use of active learning approaches is recommended to foster greater engagement, sustained interest, motivation, and collaboration among students in the learning environment.