"If we don't empower S 2make choices &learn how 2 react 2 the consequences of -ive decision making when will S learn-reflection is a gr8 tool" That was a tweet I posted in connection to a chat forum about differentiated learning this morning and it has been playing on my mind. As teachers we need to empower our students to make choices and decisions and to understand that their are positive and negative outcomes or consequences to the decisions we make. This is not new - this is not something we don't already know but is it something that challenges us, or should challenge our thinking. What do we really do to give students autonomy? Real decision making opportunities where the outcome will be positive or negative and they have to understand that their is a consequence to their choice? Reflecting on the choices and decisions that they make as learners and how those choices had impacted the learning. Not just reflecting on understanding and knowledge. We use wonderful Visible Thinking Routines and other tools for reflection but most of the reflection we see is about the understanding or the knowledge gained. Kath Murdoch talks about a strategy of 'Split Screen' - when this idea is taken into Reflection and we are asking students to think, perspective . . . purpose . . . mindset . . . growth. We are well into the PYP Exhibition. It is a process that empowers students to take their learning to places that inspire them . . . it gives students the opportunity to be independent, to make decisions about so many things on so many levels, and even in just the last 4-5 weeks they have matured, they have realised that there are consequences to each decision, to every choice they make. This a 'sparking' place to be! When students understand that, when you are organised and independent, self-motivated and understand the process . . . you will most likely feel energised and tingle! when you are not organised, aware and fully engaged; for whatever reason; because you can't get the help you need or are not reacting to the decisions and choices you make then it is not a "tingle' but more like a 'choking' feeling. As teachers we need to ensure that they are reflecting through the 'Split Screen' on both understanding and knowledge AS WELL AS, on the choices and decisions that they make as learners. The responsibility is ours to make sure they have the support they need, the tools to support their progress and the opportunity to take risks. Comments are closed.
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AuthorTeaching in an IBPYP school; interests: student agency, technology integration, growth mindset & the continuous cycle of improvement that is the world of education, learning and being! Archives
June 2018
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