This week we were asked to reflect on the strategies we addressed in class this week, which were: Setting Objectives, Providing Feedback and Providing Recognition. We also had to read the article, Feedback that Fits. Below you will find my reflection of the previously stated topics.
Setting Objectives:
Setting objectives is something that I find extremely important as a teacher. Each unit that I start, I like to let the students know of the overall objective and what I expect them to learn. Some days I give the students our objective for the day. I do this so that students know what we are covering for the day an so they can also see how we will reach our final goal. Setting objectives not only lets the students know what we will be doing, but it also teaches them that using objectives can keep you on track to your final goal.
Providing Feedback:
What kinds of technologies can I use to help students provide feedback?
On a daily basis, I use the same 2 technologies to provide feedback to my students. All work is put into our online grade book, Zangle. Each student receives a grade for the assignment and I also try to note why points were taken off. Another way that I provide feedback through technology is through an online resource called My Big Campus. Students use MBC to submit their assignments or discussions. I, in return, give them instant feedback on the site based on what they completed. All of this feedback is efficient and very timely.
Providing Recognition:
Providing recognition is an area where I need a lot of work. I all to often give the students their assignments and grades, but forget to recognize those who are excelling. Ways that I could do this could include a simple phone call home to parents, certificates or maybe even a monthly newsletter showcasing what we've done for the month and maybe the top students. By providing more recognition to my students, they might have a more positive response to the work we do in class and feel accomplished.
Feedback that Fits
This article discussed a number of important topics regarding feedback and students. The one thing that I gained from reading the article is that not only does the feedback have to be understandable to the student, but they have to be able to use it. As a teacher, it is important to provide our feedback to the students so that they can run with it. We need to be specific and let the student not only know what they can do to improve, but also what stood out to us. This will only help the students to further excel in their work.
I recently was at a seminar regarding co-teaching and one of the things the presenter was talking about was providing recognition to students. I think this is something important that every teacher needs to do. It will get the most out of their student if those students know they will get some kind of recognition. Anyway, the type of recognition that this presenter shared with us was pretty simple, but works wonders. You can make laminated cards that on one side say "I would like to speak to you after class" and then on the other side it would say "I really like the way you are working now". You can also make ones that reprimand the student, but I think they would be more powerful as a recognition tool.
ReplyDeleteIt seems we both struggle with providing recognition. I would like to find some simple but easy ways to do this. As I read Bill's suggestion, it seems like a great idea! Now I need something as a way to recognize students on a major level. Maybe I will make a wall of honor where students can be recognized for great achievements. There are lots of ways and ideas to recognize students. Sounds like we both need to try some and see what works. Let me know if you find something that works well and let me know and I will be sure to share the same.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that recognition is a step that is very often overlooked. Everyone concentrates on fixing the problems, instead of rewarding good work. This is true in schools, work, and life. Although I like the card idea, I also think it is important to publicly reward exceptional work. This will help motivate other students.
ReplyDeleteMy school does rocket recognition awards. We nominate students for a variety of reasons. It is important to not only recognize quality of work, but to also recognize improvement and effort. I like the idea of a wall of honor but you must be careful about how you implement it. Would a student become discouraged because he/she is never on the wall?
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