Clinical Field Experience B: Student Engagement Strategies
Effective classroom management creates student engagement through consistency and careful planning of the learning environment. Opportunities to observe and collaborate with other teachers regarding classroom management and engagement is priceless and provides new teachers and veteran teachers the ability to add to their teacher toolbox of strategies.
Imagine you are an observer in your mentor teacher classroom. Your mentor teacher is woman that teach AP Statistics in high school.

Interview your mentor teacher addressing the following:
• How do you arrange your classroom, and how does that arrangement affect student engagement?
• What are some student engagement strategies that are effective in your classroom/for your students?
• What do you do if an engagement strategy does not work the way you thought it would? How do you adjust?
• How do you handle any student misbehaviors without interfering with the lesson and the learning of the other students?
• How do you use school/district provided technology in the classroom? If so, how does that affect student engagement? What are pros and cons to this technology?
• How do you handle student-owned technology in the classroom (e.g., phones)? Do you ever incorporate student-owned technology in the lessons? If so, how?
In addition, with your mentor teacher’s permission, interview or survey a small group of students asking the following:
• What is your favorite classroom seating arrangement you have had so far in your education? Why was it so effective?
• Describe a very engaging teacher or lesson you have had. What made the teacher or lessons so interesting and engaging?
• Do you like using technology in the classroom? If so, what are your favorite ways to use it? If not, why do you not like using technology in the classroom?
• How does it make you feel when a fellow student misbehaves or is disruptive in the classroom?
Use any remaining field experience hours to assist the mentor teacher in providing instruction and support to the class.
In 450-500 words total, summarize mentor teacher and student interviews. In addition, reflect upon your observations, discussions, feedback, and classroom support. Describe how planning classroom environments, including the use of technology, and other engagement strategies can help motivate students to participate more fully and be productive learners. Explain how you will use your findings in your future professional practice.
APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.