Interview with Ellin Oliver Keene on Student Engagement and Motivation

In her book, Keene emphasizes the importance of understanding the conditions that foster student engagement. She notes that many educators mistakenly believe they are solely responsible for motivating students. Drawing on her experiences, she states that engagement must ultimately be a choice made by the student. Teachers can create environments conducive to engagement and engage in discussions with students about their experiences and feelings related to learning.

Keene differentiates between internal motivation and genuine engagement. While internal motivation can stem from a desire for approval from teachers or peers, true engagement occurs when students find intrinsic value in learning. Engagement reaches a deeper level when students become absorbed in a task and recognize the broader implications of what they are studying. She identifies four pillars of engagement: intellectual urgency, emotional resonance, perspective bending, and aesthetic experience.

The concept of student agency is also critical in her work. Keene explains that agency involves a student's ability to approach challenges with confidence and resilience. She believes that both engagement and agency can flourish through effective modeling and conversation about these concepts, rather than assuming that only some students possess them naturally.

Keene further elaborates on perspective bending, which she describes as the ability to engage with differing viewpoints. This openness is vital for fostering discussions and learning from diverse perspectives, especially in today's polarized environment. She encourages educators to create spaces where students can express their opinions and engage with differing beliefs, facilitating both personal and collective growth.

In summary, Ellin Oliver Keene's insights provide valuable guidance for educators aiming to enhance student engagement and motivation, advocating for a shift towards collaborative conversations about learning.