Engagement at a Distance: Reflections on Student Learning and Parent Engagement in a Physics Classroom

Abstract

New technology, including online gradebooks and learning management systems, allow schools to remotely involve families in their children's educations. This "engagement at a distance", as well as its impact on student learning, is examined through the lens of the author's experiences as a student-teacher. It is argued that while a holistic and meaningful form of family engagement is ideal, engagement at a distance is more detrimental to student learning than no engagement at all.