The Engagement Illusion: Why Attention Doesn’t Equal Learning

Brief description of the episode

Student engagement is one of the most talked-about challenges in K12, yet teachers, students, and district leaders rarely agree on what it looks like or how to measure it. Brian Shaw, CEO of Discovery Education, unpacks new research from the Education Insights Report and reveals a striking perception gap. The conversation explores what signals truly indicate engagement, how AI can meaningfully support teaching time, and what it takes to scale successful pilots across diverse districts. If you build or lead in EdTech, this dialogue is a must-listen for understanding how engagement connects to achievement, motivation, and real learning outcomes.