Many children describe school as "boring", leaving parents searching for answers and solutions. Dr Amanda Bourgeois and Professor Annemaree Carroll from The University of Queensland's Learning Lab investigate this common issue and offer insights for parents and educators. Their research reveals that students report feeling bored during a significant portion of class time, with boredom being the most prevalent emotion among Year 10 students surveyed. This finding raises concerns, as emotional engagement plays a crucial role in effective learning.
Bourgeois and Carroll identify several potential sources of boredom, including unengaging lesson content, underlying learning difficulties, and masked emotional or social issues. The researchers emphasise the importance of distinguishing between occasional boredom and persistent disengagement across all subjects.
To address this challenge, the authors recommend:
- Encouraging open communication between parents and children to pinpoint specific causes of boredom
- Assessing potential learning difficulties or sensory impairments
- Exploring possible emotional or social issues underlying reported boredom
- Collaborating with teachers to enhance student engagement and motivation
