Engaging the 21st-Century Learner: Classroom Strategies to Connect with Digital-Age Students

A Practical PD to Help Educators Boost Student Engagement and Deepen Learning

Strobel Education Workshops

Hands-On Training to Help Teachers Engage Distracted Digital Learners

Engaging students in today’s digital-era classrooms can be complex. These learners—often referred to as digital natives—have grown up surrounded by technology and are fluent in fast-paced, highly visual, and interactive communication. Their expectations for learning are different: they seek connection, relevance, choice, and rapid feedback. Traditional, lecture-based instruction often falls short.

Less than half of students report feeling engaged in school (Gallup survey)—a challenge that directly affects learning, motivation, and long-term success. This PD training helps educators reimagine classroom instruction using proven, student-centered strategies to create engaging, interactive, and inclusive learning environments. From boosting active participation to managing digital distractions, teachers will learn how to meet today’s students where they are—while guiding them where they need to go.

The Impact of Higher Student Engagement on Learning

  • Boosts academic performance and retention: Student-driven learning improves comprehension and long-term memory
  • Reduces distractions (including phones): Keeps students focused by making learning interactive and meaningful.
  • Sparks curiosity and independent thinking: Voice and choice encourage exploration and ownership.
  • Builds essential real-world skills: Develops the 5 Cs: critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, and character.

 

This PD training gives educators practical tools to build engaging, student-centered classrooms that reflect the needs of today’s learners.

What's Included

  • Digital Resource Bundle: Lifetime Access to Resources
  • Professional Development Hours
  • Downloadable Handout for Note-Taking
  • Break-out sessions & collaboration
  • Interactive engagement

Who This Training Is For

  • Elementary School Teachers
  • Secondary School Teachers
  • Education Specialists
  • School Administrators (Principals, Asst. Principals, Curriculum Directors)
  • Counselors
  • Coaches
  • Special Education Teachers
  • Curriculum Coaches
  • Educational Support Staff
  • Title 1 Teachers & Directors
  • Gifted & Talented Teacher

Training Options​

  • Full-day or Half-Day Training
  • PLC Sessions
  • Before/After School Faculty Meetings
  • Virtual Professional Development
  • Coaching & Support
  • Mini-Lesson Modeling

What’s Included in your PD Course Package

Digital Toolbox Resource

Lifetime Access to Digital Resources.

Downloadable Handout

Implementation workbook for note-taking.

Professional Development Certificate

6 hours of PD Credit.

Training Schedule

Learn how students’ brains process information and why digital-era learners thrive on interaction and novelty. This module covers cognitive load theory, the neuroscience of learning, and practical ways to make lessons more memorable—like movement, visuals, and low-stakes retrieval activities.

Move beyond passive learning. Explore Philip Schlechty’s levels of engagement and practical strategies like Think-Pair-Share, response cards, structured talk, and collaborative tasks. Learn how to build lessons that keep every student involved—mentally and physically.

Engagement increases when students have ownership. In this module, educators will discover how to give students choice in what and how they learn through learning menus, project-based options, and reflective practices. Emphasis is placed on building confidence and independent thinking.

Rigor doesn’t mean more work—it means deeper thinking. Teachers will explore how to challenge students using inquiry, real-world problems, and Webb’s Depth of Knowledge. Strategies focus on promoting academic conversations, critical analysis, and meaningful student output.

Digital-native students crave immediate, meaningful feedback. This module explores how to deliver feedback that motivates and deepens learning using self-assessment, peer reviews, digital rubrics, and student goal-setting.

On average, only 45 minutes of a school day are truly engaged. This session helps educators plan with precision—starting with anticipatory sets, pacing instruction with intention, and ending with reflective routines that reinforce learning and keep students on track.

Participants step into their students’ shoes to experience a model lesson filled with engagement strategies. This immersive module helps teachers reflect on their own classroom structures and walk away with inspiration for immediate implementation

Customize professional learning to meet the needs of your staff and your schedule

Here’s what our On-Site Professional Development Training can look like on your campus…

Full Day or Half Day Training

Schedule one of our highly interactive, customized training sessions for your next teacher in-service day.

PLC Sessions

Have one of our consultants provide in-person professional learning within your staff’s PLC schedule.

Before / After School Training

Let one of our consultants provide training during a faculty meeting either before or after school.

Prefer learning online?

This training is also offered online—same great content, accessible anywhere.

Contact us to learn more about having Strobel Education on your campus for On-site Training.

Share your questions and staff needs below, and a Strobel Education consultant will reach out to you.