Ways to boost student engagement?

What if every student in your classroom saw the reason for what they are learning at school?

What if they understood the WHY?

Why their learning is relevant to the real world, how the knowledge and skills they're building are valuable and where they're applied beyond the classroom.

Several recent studies have looked into student engagement -- and with the findings in front of us we can now say with certainty that connecting learning with real life leads to increased engagement. 

Making these connections goes a long way to satisfying students that what they're learning at school is not a waste of time. And we need it! 25% of all 15yr old students in Australia claimed that school has been a waste of time; this rises to 31% of disadvantaged students. (Source: OECD, PISA data 2022)

Forward-facing

But there's another key to unlock real student engagement and motivation and it's to do with the future.

What if every student in your classroom was excited about a vision for their future? - An idea about their possible place in the world, one that they really want to make happen (even if they'll probably change that idea a few times along the way). An aspiration that they can express.

Now, what if they not only understood the real world relevance of their learning but also its specific relevance to that future they imagine? 

Hello motivation!

This is where the power and importance of aspirations comes in for driving engagement.

What if every student in your classroom was excited about a vision for their future, that you also knew about, AND they understood how their learning connects to those hopes and dreams? 

Would they then be more likely to see the purpose in what they are learning?

The studies all say yes.

Yes, they will be most engaged in the learning that seems to lead towards the future they are most excited about. So if maths seems relevant to a sports-mad student (such as statistics!), then maths is engaging. Or at least, the parts of statistics that are used in pro sport analysis.

Students who are supported to have conversations about their aspirations, explore and test out their aspirations and learn about what it takes to get there are more motivated to learn, show higher use of all learning strategies and have more successful long term outcomes.

We all know students and young people who would be transformed if they could envisage a place for themselves in the world and be motivated to make it happen. We know how that could cut through the apathy, disengagement and even behavioural issues.

Quite simply:

“Young people who cannot picture their future are less likely to invest in the present.”

- Andreas Schleicher, 2025

A whole school approach to aspiration and agency 

At BECOME we've spent years exploring how young people develop ideas and aspirations for the future. 

We contribute to research, explore the evidence and work directly with schools and systems- so we have a picture of what's happening that goes from the biggest data sets to real schools, real cohorts, real classes.

Based on all of that experience, we know that ALL teachers within a school community play a powerful role in shaping students' aspirations for the future.

Teachers shape how a student sees themself as a learner.

They shape the kinds of careers students link to subjects -- and this often determines which careers students aim for, and which they discard as irrelevant. 

They - and school communities - shape what success means. 

And above all, teachers influence what questions students ask about the role they might play in the world. Who will I become and what is my place in the world? 

Heart of the Future

A brand new online short course from BECOME supports all teachers in shaping students' ideas for the future -- and ensuring engagement today. 

In this engaging, 2.5 hour training module, teachers get a distilled view of important recent evidence.

Together with specialists and educators, they learn how optimism and confidence rise in students who take action to bring about a future they really care about.

We learn about crucial career readiness indicators from authorities like the OECD, how these indicators pinpoint the importance of an adult at school knowing young people's aspirations - and how this links to belonging and wellbeing.

In this dynamic short course you will learn:

• How and why all teachers have a huge impact on student aspirations for the future
• Great ways to connect the knowledge and skills you're teaching to a wide range of careers - and you'll get access to innovative tools to help
• How to embed great conversations with students about career ideas and decisions - without needing to know all the complex pathways and labour market information
• Practical and inspiring activities and approaches from real leaders in Australian and New Zealand schools.

All educators can gain from students who are more engaged and active in their learning. 

Careers practitioners benefit from recommending the course to colleagues, particularly those teaching years 5-9 or with a wellbeing or pastoral care remit.

School leaders will see the connection to school strategies about the whole learner, a community of belonging, and learner engagement.  

For further information, to download the course overview, or to secure your spot, visit our Training for Teachers page.