nguage Arts (TCTELA) journal and shares my journey navigating student disengagement through a traditional, analog-heavy approach. As a first-year 8th grade ELA teacher in a Title I school, I discovered that paper-and-pencil tasks weren’t enough to hold my students’ attention—especially late in the school day. I reflect on how integrating gamified digital tools like Quizizz, Kahoot!, and Quizlet transformed my classroom into an interactive, student-centered space. The article explores how a blended approach—balancing both digital innovation and tactile, traditional methods—helped me better meet diverse learning needs, foster student agency, and reflect deeply on how technology supports cognitive engagement and self-regulated learning. This piece is a practical reflection on how adaptability and research-informed strategies can reshape classroom engagement.
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The Traditional Approach: A Struggle to Engage (Published Article)
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July 10, 2025 .
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Addison,
Congratulations on finishing your first year of teaching. It's a difficult struggle and makes one reconsider selection of the profession. It does get much better. You've discovered that you have to meet students where they are, craft a strong relationship, build trust, and then... can you get to "teaching" them content. If gamification is what gets you to that point, then it's a win-win situation.
Kudos to you for sticking it out. It only gets better.
Hang in there and continue to build your PLN both online and offline. It's there where you will find the support you need to make it to the next day.
Pam
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