Literature - Define ENGAGMENT

Define ENGAGMENT

As stated in it's most basic definition, the online Merriam-Webster dictionary defines engagement; 

However my research requires a more specific definition.

According to The Education Glossary "generally speaking, the concept of “student engagement” is predicated on the belief that learning improves when students are inquisitive, interested, or inspired, and that learning tends to suffer when students are bored, dispassionate, disaffected, or otherwise “disengaged.” (the education glossary, 2015)
However I have also found several alternative definitions that take a different approach to what defines engagement. 

It also defines "engagement refers to the degree of attention, curiosity, interest, optimism and passion that students show when they are learning"  (the education glossary, 2015)

Both these descriptions of engagement are valid to my research and are both helpful for me in trying to fully understand what exactly engagement is. 

"In many contexts, however, student engagement may also refer to the ways in which school leaders, educators, and other adults might “engage” students more fully in the governance and decision-making processes in school, in the design of programs and learning opportunities" (the education glossary, 2015)

This definition, referring to the role the adult/ teacher takes in engagement is very relevant to what I am looking for within my research. 

I also found some points of this paper by Skinner, Furrer and Kindermann (2009) very helpful in understanding that engagement is not such an easily defined word!  

"At its most general, engagement refers to the quality of a student’s connection or involvement with the endeavor of schooling and hence with the peo- ple, activities, goals, values, and place that compose it" (Skinner, Furrer, Kindermann 2009 pg. 494) 

Skinner, Furrer and Kindermann 2009

With these new found definitions in place I feel the basic pieces for my research are really in place.

References 

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/engaged
http://edglossary.org/student-engagement/
https://www.pdx.edu/psy/sites/www.pdx.edu.psy/files/Skinner,%20Kindermann,%20%26%20Furrer_EPM_2009_1.pdf