Learntainment - The New Student Engagement Mantra

Characterised by short attention span, increased reliance on technology, multitasking and driven by instant gratification, these traits best define a typical GenZ learner of today. They belong to a generation that echos ‘I am me and you must respect me that way I am'.

While they deeply value learning as a key component of their individual growth, their preferred modes of learning are different from previous generations, especially in the post-pandemic world. Their preference has often been seen in need-based learning that is done just-in-time for solving a specific problem through a combination of online platforms. Amy Memon, Regional Head, AACSB International throws light on how the pandemic rejigged these learning methods, some of which may never reverse. “I saw academics move quickly i.e. Emergency Response Teaching. There has been a change in mindset from ‘sage on the stage' to ‘facilitator’. Also, there has been an increase in formative and authentic assessment, along with rethinking on the role of technology,” she says. 

Suresh Ramanathan, Dean, Great Lakes Institute of Management Chennai asserts how attention through entertainment kept the education system going through this crisis situation by drawing its parallel with advertising. “In a study done in the US that traced how advertising evolved from the 60s, it revealed that about 10 per cent of the ads were devoted to entertainment. Today that number is 40 per cent. This means one must entertain before informing. This is a clear battle for attention. The average duration of a millennial, while watching a video on Youtube to decide if it is useful or not, is just 2 seconds,” he explains.

There are plenty of sources from where these students get their information needs fulfilled. Hence, how and for how long an educator keeps him engrossed and engaged is the real challenge. “The more we engage, the more we pique their curiosity. The sense of curiosity must be inculcated at all times. Engagement must first be about cognitive engagement and then emotional engagement,” he believes.

Monica Khanna, Director, K J Somaiya Institute of Management Mumbai begins by quoting Aristotle – “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”

For her, it is important for an educator to think about the purpose of education. “Today, when we talk of the VUCA world, critical thinking is required. One must have good power of observation. Bloom’s taxonomy theory is a great approach to apply here. One’s focus must be on higher-order thinking skills,” she comments. She goes on to suggest how tools such as chalk and talk, case studies, conferences, experiential learning platforms, individual and team assignments, mentor classes, live industry projects, etc have been essential in driving an enhanced learning experience amongst students. 

Madhu Veeraraghavan, Director, TAPMI Manipal further explains that student engagement is driven by character, capacity, customer and quality. He emphasises four tested techniques that engage students well-  role-play, the voting strategy, buzz sessions and inviting guests in class. 

All experts maintain that the foremost idea is to proffer students the utmost joy. And this comes in handy when you give them autonomy, where they learn on their own, through competition that drives stimulation and by relation-engagement.