Your Voice: Boosting student engagement in class, a step towards a plastic-free world (long letters)
This week, readers write about increasing student participation in lessons and express support for a government scheme that tackles plastic pollution
While long-time online learning and electronic devices may be causing students to become passive in class, one reader says there’s an argument for better use of study tools and learning applications. Photo: ShutterstockHave something to say? Send us a letter using this form.
Boosting student engagement
Lam Yu-shuen, Tak Nga Secondary School
Students are becoming increasingly passive and inactive in school. It is common to see students not being responsive in class; not answering questions, asking any or even showing enthusiasm in a lesson. This inactivity also means a teacher will not know if a student has understood the content and material.
One potential cause is electronic learning devices. Despite using them for learning, students become distracted by a tablet’s games and social media applications. Therefore, they may not concentrate on the teacher and pay more attention to their devices. How can they respond to the teacher if they do not even listen to them?
Another explanation is that students are not as academically inclined after the long periods of online lessons brought on by the pandemic. Students have become careless with schoolwork, do not want to spend time in school and are unmotivated in lessons.
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Taking the consequences of BYOD (bring your own device) and long-time online learning into consideration, we can introduce two effective strategies to improve the inactive atmosphere in classrooms.
It is difficult to place a hard ban on devices or monitor each student when they use them. However, we can act in a diametrically opposite way by encouraging students to use tablets in lessons. If we use online learning applications like Desmos, Quizlet and Kahoot!, students might enjoy the relatively interesting learning process.
Most of these apps have a function that allows teachers to monitor participants, which means teachers can deduce who is doing other things in a lesson. And students’ performance in these study apps will give teachers an idea of whether they need to adjust their teaching pace.
Other than useful online applications to attract student attention, another strategy is schools arranging more outdoor learning opportunities. From attending programmes to visiting museums, there are many different ways to learn that are not simply reading a textbook.
If a school were to provide meaningful trips for students, no one would want to stare at a screen. These trips might also help students remember what they learn better as the knowledge will be connected to a remarkable experience.
The lack of student participation is a pressing problem. Hopefully, the situation can be improved by making adjustments like the ones proposed above.
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A cleaner, healthier environment
Victoria Cheung, Pope Paul VI College
I am writing to express my support for the “producer responsibility scheme” (PRS) government initiative on plastic beverage containers and beverage cartons.
This scheme is a crucial step towards mitigating the rampant plastic pollution that threatens our environment and public health. By mandating that drink suppliers take responsibility for the life cycle of their products, we can significantly enhance recycling rates and reduce waste.
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Plastic pollution is a pervasive issue that not only harms wildlife but also contaminates our ecosystems and affects human health.
PRS is a proactive measure that aligns with global efforts to combat plastic waste. However, for this scheme to succeed, it is essential to engage the public effectively and encourage widespread participation in recycling initiatives.
Implementing a reward system for individuals who return containers for recycling could greatly increase participation.
For instance, offering small discounts or loyalty points at local stores for each returned container would motivate consumers to return their items instead of discarding them. This not only promotes recycling but also encourages responsible consumer behaviour.
These incentives can be particularly effective if marketed well, such as showcasing stories of community members who are making a difference.
In addition, leveraging social media platforms to share information about the PRS and its benefits can amplify outreach.
Visual content, such as infographics and videos illustrating the recycling process, can captivate a broader audience. Collaborating with influencers who advocate for sustainability can further enhance visibility and encourage community participation.
Your Voice: Promoting environmental initiatives (long letters)
The success of the PRS hinges not only on compliance from producers but also on the active involvement of the community. By implementing incentive-based programmes and educational initiatives, we can create a culture of recycling that resonates with individuals and communities alike.
In conclusion, the producer responsibility scheme is a promising initiative that can lead to significant progress in managing plastic waste. By fostering public participation through engaging incentives and educational outreach, we can collectively work towards a cleaner, healthier environment.