Within the realm of education, the exploration of participant engagement is a relatively recent endeavour, spanning only the last quarter century. In contrast, the performing arts have navigated the intricate dance between artist and audience for millennia. Drawing on the academic research into audience and performance, this poster presentation reimagines student engagement through the arts-based lens of audience experience. Key insights from this investigation include the four integral components of positive audience engagement—knowledge, risk, authenticity, and collective engagement—emerging as significant indicators of student engagement. Paradoxically, while both performance artists and educators share a common goal of nurturing positive engagement within a transactional experience, the current metrics for student engagement diverge significantly. Presently, student engagement is predominantly conceptualized based on determinations by agents—teachers, parents, and principals—focusing on observable indicators such as task completion, working quietly, and achieving high marks. Unfortunately, these metrics inadequately reflect the dynamics of modern, cooperative learning environments. This poster presentation advocates for a paradigm shift in consideration of student engagement, urging educators to draw inspiration from the principles embedded in the performing arts. The proposal emphasizes a reevaluation of responsibility, moving away from an individual-centric approach to a shared model that encompasses the student's voice and the collective experience. Join us in envisioning a more comprehensive framework for student engagement that aligns with the transformative dynamics of contemporary classrooms.

Authors:
Jenise Boland, Simon Fraser University, Canada
Lana Penner, West Point Grey Academy, Canada

About the Presenter(s)
Jenise Boland, MEd cantab, is a PhD candidate at Simon Fraser University and full time classroom practitioner teaching Social Studies and Humanities at the secondary level in Vancouver, British Columbia.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

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