The Traditional Approach: A Struggle to Engage (Published Article)

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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