Five Paths of Student Engagement

"Shirley and Hargreaves have hit the mark with this newest look at engagement and its fundamental role in learning. COVID-19 has changed the learning process to the point where student engagement and its link to authentic learning is now more critical than ever. This is a must-read for those who provide learning opportunities."

“In the recent past, well-motivated educational policymakers sought to install more ambitious curricula and secure higher student performances. But they left out a crucial variable: sustained student engagement. In this original, provocative, and engaging book, Dennis Shirley and Andy Hargreaves synthesize fundamental ideas from the social sciences and draw as well on their practical experiences around the world. Readers will come to understand how to nurture students who desire to learn and succeed in doing so.”

“This book not only provides clear examples of how to get students engaged in learning, it also explores the research behind the different dimensions of engagement itself. For educators and researchers who seek greater clarity on how to improve student academic outcomes and performance, this book will be an invaluable resource.”

“With Five Paths of Student Engagement, Shirley and Hargreaves have given us not just food for thought, but fuel for action. Their analysis reminds us why student engagement is an educational must-have and cogently lays out the policies, like overemphasis on standardized testing, that can undermine it. As we reimagine learning beyond COVID, I’m grateful to have this clear articulation of the paths to engagement along with the recognition that teachers’ judgment and students’ voices are key to all of them.”

“Every teacher, at some point in their career, will struggle with the enigma of engagement. Too often, engagement has become a misnomer for teaching fun lessons or getting distracted by digital technology. In response, Dennis Shirley and Andy Hargreaves set out compelling evidence and a powerful argument that will help all educators achieve greater engagement for their students. As these world-renowned authors say: ‘Engagement is both a journey and a destination’ for all and their book shows how we can truly engage all our students cognitively, emotionally, and spiritually.”