We say we want more student engagement—but what does that actually mean?In this episode, I unpack why engagement has become one of the most overused and misunderstood goals in education. Drawing on current research, classroom experience, and insights from Building Thinking Classrooms, I make the case that engagement is often treated as a stand-in for learning—even though it’s easy to fake and hard to define.Instead, I argue for a shift in focus: away from how students look and toward what students are actually thinking about—and whether they truly own the work.This episode challenges common assumptions, offers practical classroom moves, and reframes what teachers and school leaders should be looking for if they want deeper learning to happen.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• A clear, current definition of student engagement and how it’s commonly understood today
• The difference between behavioral, emotional, and cognitive engagement—and why one matters most
• Why engagement is often measured, but thinking is rarely designed for
• How Thinking Classrooms reframes learning around visible thinking and ownership
• Why hands-on building and non-permanent thinking increase risk-taking and revision
• Simple classroom moves that shift the focus from engagement to thinking
• What administrators should look for instead of “on-task” behavior during walkthroughs

Key Takeaways:

• Engagement is a signal, not the goal
• Students can appear engaged without doing meaningful cognitive work
• Thinking leaves evidence—if the environment is designed to make it visible
• Ownership, agency, and revision matter more than participation and compliance
• Hands-on, erasable thinking lowers risk and deepens learning

Try This in Your Classroom

• Remove one engagement strategy from an upcoming lesson

• Add one thinking demand instead:
• Ask students to build their understanding
• Have them explain their choices
• Require them to revise their thinking
• Reflect on where thinking became visible—and where it didn’t

Reflection QuestionWhat would change in your classroom—or your school—if engagement wasn’t the goal, but thinking was?Join the ConversationIf this episode resonated with you, share it with a colleague and let me know your takeaways.Tag me on social media using #WheresTheFunInThat and share:

• What does thinking look like in your classroom?
• What’s one way you’re moving beyond engagement?

About the ShowThe Tech Ed Clubhouse Podcast explores teaching, learning, play, and thinking in real classrooms. We focus on practical ideas, honest conversations, and strategies that help teachers and students do deeper, more meaningful work.