Nurture Signal

Grounded in Research.
Designed for Classrooms.

A digital extension of the Continuum of Engagement with Dr. Amy Berry

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Dr. Amy Berry, education researcher
The Research

Dr. Amy Berry

Education Researcher | Engagement & Learner Agency Specialist

Dr Amy Berry’s work on the Continuum of Engagement has been adopted across schools to help students and teachers develop a shared language for understanding engagement in learning.

Her research highlights that engagement is not fixed, it is fluid, contextual, and responsive to teaching, task design, and learner experience.

The continuum provides a common framework:

Disrupting
Avoiding
Withdrawing
Participating
Investing
Driving
Students working together in a classroom

This language has already helped schools to:

  • Build shared understanding of engagement
  • Strengthen student self-awareness
  • Improve teacher–student learning conversations
  • Create more intentional classroom environments

While the continuum is powerful, most schools today rely on paper based reflections, informal check-ins and anecdotal observations.

A teacher reviewing paper-based classroom notes

This limits the ability to see patterns over time, act on insight in real time and scale practice across classrooms.

Students collaborating in a bright classroom
Who it’s for

Designed for Real Classrooms

It takes only seconds for students to respond, fits naturally into the flow of a lesson, and supports psychological safety, including the option for anonymous participation.

What You’ll See

  • Live student engagement check-ins
  • Student reasoning (“What makes you say that?”)
  • Class-level engagement patterns
  • Session-level insights for reflection

What It’s Not

To protect pedagogical integrity, Nurture Signal does not:

  • Grade or rank students
  • Act as formal assessment
  • Replace teacher judgement
  • Add unnecessary complexity
Proof of concept

Mount Gambier Proof of Concept (2026)

We are currently partnering with the Department for Education South Australia to implement a bounded pilot which commences in Term 2 2026.

This is a small-scale innovation pilot designed to:

  • Test impact in real classrooms
  • Generate evidence for future decisions
  • Explore how digital tools can support learner engagement
Government of South Australia — Department for Education

Frequently asked questions:

What is the Continuum of Engagement?

It is Dr Amy Berry’s framework, which describes engagement as a continuum across six levels — from Disrupting and Avoiding through to Investing and Driving. It gives students and teachers a shared language for noticing and talking about engagement in learning, rather than treating it as simply on or off.

How does Nurture Signal extend the continuum?

It turns the continuum into a lightweight digital check-in. Students indicate where they are in seconds and add a short reason, and teachers see class-level engagement patterns and session-level insights they can act on — making patterns visible that paper-based reflections and informal check-ins tend to miss.

Does it grade, rank or assess students?

No. It is not grading, ranking or formal assessment, and it does not replace teacher judgement. It is designed to make engagement visible so teachers can respond in the moment, while protecting pedagogical integrity.

How long does a check-in take?

Only seconds for students to respond. It fits naturally into the flow of a lesson, and it takes just a moment for the teacher to read the class picture and decide what to do next.

Is it safe for students to answer honestly?

Yes. It is designed to support psychological safety, including the option for anonymous participation, so students can be honest about how engaged they feel without it feeling like a test.

What is the Mount Gambier proof of concept?

A bounded pilot with the Department for Education South Australia, commencing in Term 2 2026. It is a small-scale innovation pilot designed to test impact in real classrooms, generate evidence for future decisions, and explore how digital tools can support learner engagement.

Still have questions?

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