Lightning Talk: Student Engagement: Whose problem is this really?

Student engagement is an important aspect of learning and teaching at UWS, yet it often seems burdened by the notion that it is solely the responsibility of educators. In this lightning talk, I will challenge that assumption by exploring student engagement as a shared concern, one that involves both staff and students, and ultimately, the entire UWS community.

During my five-minute presentation, I will begin by questioning the traditional view: Is student engagement an isolated challenge for teaching staff (Lawson and Lawson, 2020), or does it also reflect the attitudes, practices, and responsibilities of students (McMahon and Portelli, 2004). I will share practical examples drawn from our own UWS experience where innovative engagement strategies have emerged from collaboration between students and staff (Kahu, 2013).

The examples of these specific cases will demonstrate how mutual responsibility can transform engagement from a persistent problem into an opportunity for collective growth. There will be a focus on the exploring the distinct nature and issues of international students.

Key points to be covered include:

Redefining Roles: I will discuss how reimagining the roles of both students and staff can create a more dynamic and interactive learning environment. This involves shifting from a top down approach to one where feedback and co creation are fundamental.

Actionable Strategies: Practical strategies such will be showcased. I will explain how these strategies are effective in isolated instances and can be scaled and adapted across various UWS departments.

Finally, I will outline how these initiatives can be adopted more broadly within UWS as the university can nurture a culture where engagement is seen as a collaborative achievement rather than a one sided obligation.

Kahu, E.R., 2013. Framing student engagement in higher education. Studies in higher education, 38(5), pp.758-773.

Lawson, H.A. and Lawson, M.A., 2020. Student engagement and disengagement as a collective action problem. Education Sciences, 10(8), p.212.

McMahon, B. and Portelli, J.P., 2004. Engagement for what? Beyond popular discourses of student engagement. Leadership and policy in schools, 3(1), pp.59-76.

Takeaways:
• This talk will invite participants to reflect on their own perceptions of student engagement and consider how rebalancing responsibilities can lead to innovative and inclusive practices.
• The insights shared will be applicable across UWS, offering a path for harnessing the potential of our academic community.