How to tackle the big dip in student engagement
Educators have increasingly noticed a significant drop in student engagement between Years 7 and 9, often referred to as the “big dip”. A study of NSW Department of Education, which tracked nearly 8,000 students, revealed a notable drop in motivation and engagement during these year levels. Data from the Middle Years Engagement Projects also further support these findings, showing that engagement can decrease by as much as 20% within the decline beginning in Year 8.
Understanding the reasons behind this decline and finding effective strategy to boost engagement is essential for keeping students motivated. In this blog, we’ll explore the cause of the big dip and share practical tips from experienced teachers to help students stay motivated, and on track academically.
The big dip explained
Hormonal changes during adolescence, along with social pressures and shifting priorities, may contribute to a decline in motivation during these years. Adolescents are navigating new dynamics in their personal lives, which can lead many to view school as less important. Year 7 is strongly supported as a transition period from primary school, while Year 10 involves subject selection. This leaves Years 8 and 9 in a sort of "no man's land," where students may not see the relevance of their studies.
Practical tips to tackle the dip in engagement
So, how can educators tackle this dip and boost student engagement? Below are four strategies that have proven to make a significant difference in the classroom.
1. Building stronger rapport with students
One effective way to boost student engagement is by establishing a strong connection with them. When students feel understood, respected, and supported by their teachers, they are more likely to participate actively in the classroom. Start by sharing your own challenges and learning experiences with your students. This humanises you and helps them understand that making mistakes is a part of learning and it’s okay to do so. Collaborative and creative activities can also foster stronger teacher-student relationships, as well as encourage peer bonding. The stronger the connections in the classroom, the more comfortable students will feel engaging with the material.
2. Supporting academic success
To help students overcome engagement dips, it’s vital to balance academic challenges with encouragement. Research shows that scaffolding, which involves teachers providing clear, step-by-step instructions, effectively foster independent learning. This method equips students to tackle greater challenges and builds strong academic resilience. Recent research from NSW on teaching practices shows that explicit teaching, where teachers model tasks for students, results in better learning outcomes, particularly for disengaged students.
Another effective way to enhance academic success is by linking classroom content to real-world contexts that are relevant to your students. When students can relate their studies to topics that interest them—such as sports, popular culture, or current events—they are more likely to stay engaged and focused.
3. Offering engaging, exciting learning opportunities
Research indicates that keeping lessons exciting and giving students autonomy in how they learn can help reignite enthusiasm. Providing differentiated tasks that allow students to select activities aligned with their strengths or interests also keeps students motivated. For example, using choice boards with different activities or project-based learning can make lessons more dynamic and relevant.
Canada has had success with this approach, where giving students more responsibility over their learning has led to increased engagement and academic success. In the middle years, the key strategy is to give students control over their learning journey to lessen disengagement.
4. Strengthening home-school connections
Research from the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth represents that when parents are involved in their child’s education, it has a positive impact on student engagement and achievement. To handle disengagement, it’s crucial to maintain a strong connection between home and school. Open communication with parents and caregivers can extend the support network for students who are struggling.
You can help parents ask more specific questions that encourage deeper discussions with their children about school. Questions like, “What’s one thing that made you smile today?” or “Did you face any challenges in class?” can help uncover areas where students might need extra support.
How Atomi can help
Atomi is an online learning and teaching platform designed to help students overcome challenges that they face. Their platform offers tools that help teachers track student progress, provide personalised feedback and build students’ accountability. With curriculum-specific content, interactive lessons and real-time insights, Atomi keeps students focused and engaged in their learning.
If you’re looking for practical ways to tackle the dip in student engagement and keep your students motivated, check out their latest Classroom Connection Toolkit.
Packed with helpful guides, templates, and activities, the toolkit aims to support teachers in creating an engaging classroom environment for students.
Download the toolkit now or get started with Atomi for free.
*This blog post is a paraphrased summary of insights from Zoe Ng's original Atomi blog.
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