The Engagement Theory is a model for learning in technology-based environments developed by Greg Kearsley and Ben Shneiderman. It synthesizes elements from past learning theories and is based on the idea that students learn most effectively when they find lessons meaningful and are highly interested in tasks. The theory promotes working collaboratively, project-based learning with an authentic focus. Its main tenets are that learning is most effective when students relate through collaboration, create using project-based approaches, and donate by focusing on authentic tasks with outside customers.

1. Group Members: Shamara Andrews, Faith Daway, Shauna Gregory, &
Stacy- Lou Josephs
Course: Educational Technology
Instructor: Mrs. Jacqueline Smith
Year: 2014

2. What is the Engagement
Theory?
The Engagement Theory:
Is a model for learning in technology-based
environments
Was developed by Greg Kearsley & Ben
Shneiderman
Synthesizes many elements from past theories of
learning.

3. What are the Main Tenets of the
Engagement Theory?
The Theory of engagement is based on:
Motivation
the idea that when students find lessons
meaningful and have a high level of interest in
the tasks, they learn more effectively, tend to
retain the information, and are able to transfer it
to other contexts.

4. Principles of Engaged Learning
1. Relate: learning through collaboration
Activities should emphasize
team efforts which emphasize
communication, management,
planning, and social skills
When students are able to
discuss and defend their ideas
motivation to learn increases
(Kearsley & Shneiderman, 1998)

5. Principles of Engaged Learning
contd.
2. Create: learning using a project-based approach
Activities should be “creative”
and “purposeful”
When students have opportunities
to define, organize and complete
their own projects, they develop a
sense of ownership of the project
and of their own learning
(Kearsley & Shneiderman, 1998)

6. Principles of Engaged Learning
contd.
3. Donate: learning using an outside (authentic) focus
Activities should have a meaningful and realistic
focus “ideally each project has an outside ‘customer’
such as a campus group, community organization,
school, church, library, museum, government agency,
local business, or needy individual”
When students engage in realistic projects, they can
be better prepared when they enter the workforce in
a given field.
(Kearsley & Shneiderman, 1998)

7. Engagement Theory Framework

8. How to Engage Students
Provide those qualities that are most
likely to appeal to:
the values
interests
needs of the students involved

9. What Activities to Provide
Students should be meaningfully
involved in their learning through:
1. interactive tasks
2. worthwhile tasks
3. authentic tasks.

10. What does the Theory
Promote?
working collaboratively
project based learning
an authentic focus

11. References
Kearsley, G., & Shneiderman, B. (1998).
Engagement theory: A framework for
technology- based teaching and learning
Educational Technology, 38(5), 20. Retrieved
from
http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm
http://edutech-hasina.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-
post.html
The Framework for the Engagement Theory
http://edutechmukhtar.blogspot.com/2011/10/frame-work-for-engagement-theory.html