MindShift Podcast
Disengaged Teens: What to Know and How to Help Them Find Their Spark
Feb 11, 2025
Jenny Anderson, a longtime journalist specializing in learning, and Rebecca Winthrop, a Georgetown professor focused on universal education, delve into the complexities of teen disengagement. They explore the different modes of engagement, such as 'passenger' and 'resistor' modes, and emphasize the importance of autonomy in reigniting student motivation. The conversation highlights the disconnect between adult perceptions and teen experiences, offering strategies for parents and educators to empower teens for better academic and emotional outcomes.
30:40
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Quick takeaways
- Fostering agency in teens is essential for their engagement and well-being, allowing them to set meaningful goals and make choices in their learning.
- Recognizing the different modes of student engagement, such as passenger and resister, enables tailored support that can help reconnect teens to their educational experience.
Deep dives
The Importance of Student Autonomy
Agency is crucial for teens' engagement and overall well-being, as it fosters the ability to set meaningful goals and take steps towards achieving them. Research indicates that less than 4% of middle and high school students have opportunities to make choices that enhance their autonomy in learning environments. When educators create space for student input and provide limited choices, students often experience improved performance and heightened emotional investment in their work. This approach contrasts with the traditional view of compliance, suggesting that allowing students a measure of control can lead to significant improvements in their educational outcomes.
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