Testing Hypotheses…
I really like the idea of giving the students the privilege of setting the goal(s) and desired outcomes of a unit/lesson/activity. Allowing them to have that control helps them develop a higher interest level in the activities and process, as well as for having a higher sense of accountability to accomplish the set goal(s). Younger students would need a bit of practice doing this, but reviewing how to set learning goals and set learning objectives would be something that all students should review each year. Reflection will also be a huge part of this process so that students can see what worked or didn’t work and be expected to look at what the causes may have been, as well as what changes may be needed for future success. Understanding and having a purpose for what they are doing is a driving force for successful learning.
Homework and Practice…
Many schools are changing the way that both students and teachers use homework. The validity of traditional homework is being questioned. Homework at the higher grades is being used in the way that homework for primary grades has been being used for years…as effort and extra practice. Homework can provide inconsistent and inaccurate feedback of a student’s understanding. Factors of a student’s home life can also be contributors to poor homework performance, which isn’t always a fault of the student. Simple, interactive homework opportunities, that could even be done at school during study halls, seem to be much more fulfilling and provide a much better picture of student understanding. One great example would be to have students complete blog posts on a topic or on a choice of questions, similar to the homework we have for our courses, and expect interactions among peers by commenting requirements. This would allow for students to contribute their thoughts and to have dialogue with each other, without a teacher directing it.
Similarities and Differences…
Discussion of similarities and differences occur constantly, sometimes formally, while others are informal. Organizers are often used in the younger grades, where higher grades may be expected to submit more written responses. Using metaphors is something that I introduce to my students, but it can be a bit difficult for them to use as a tool to compare until late in the school year. One tool that I really find useful for them to use is analogies. We constantly use analogies to compare the similarities between things. It really helps students understand the concept we are learning about or the function that is happening. One example I use in my class is to have students look at the levels of the human, and ask them how they levels of our school compares (ie: cells = students, tissues = classes, organs = grades, systems = schools, human body = district).
I agree with you on the validity of homework!! I have a hard time giving my 6th graders too much homework. Some of them have so many expectations at home that doing homework is next to impossible. I like your idea of a blog, but yet again this is something I would have to give them time in class to accomplish. Some of my students don't have access to computers at home and couldn't complete the assignment!! Overall, I think homework needs to be reevaluated on every level and decided if it is really that beneficial.
ReplyDeleteI wrote about how effective homework assignments can increase students' motivation, but I hadn't thought that testing out a hypothesis could have the same effect. But you make a very good point. Finding ways to get students interested is a big part of the battle.
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun when Blogger decides that you are logged in as the wrong version of a Google account and displays an error message and loses the comment. (it had been so long since the last time that I stopped writing in Word and pasting it in)
ReplyDeleteI believe I had written a diatribe about how I have an irrational curmudgeonly fear of giving students unfiltered school sanctioned blogs. Unless it is in a closed system, like pbworks or edmodo, you are opening up the chance that young children will write something for the public that can't be unread or the comment section will be filled with undesirable things.
I also agree on the homework points, particularly due to the ways the current chaos in my life is affecting my son who is in 6th grade. First, making parents aware of what is even required is very important and not often handled well. Second, he has lost assignments as we drag him around between our current and the new house, but worse, has to stay 45 minutes after school the day he does not turn one in. I get the idea of extra dedicated study time there, but the additional chaos that causes only exacerbates an already complicated situation, avoidable if homework requirements were reassessed.
ReplyDeleteI like that you said the homework can be done at school. I have a hard time with some of the kiddos home situations and I know the homework there just does not help and actually leads more issues.
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts on student accountability. Although I completely support interventions and helping struggling students but there always must be an accountability piece for the student because in the end, it is up to them. Many of these strategies do put a great deal of accountability on students, which I feel will help them in the long run.
ReplyDelete"One great example would be to have students complete blog posts on a topic or on a choice of questions, similar to the homework we have for our courses, and expect interactions among peers by commenting requirements."
ReplyDeleteWith Google Apps you can now add a Blogger account, so if it is set to be private and only viewed by those with the link for it I think this is a great way to make it easy for kids to post. Homework is changing, and I agree with you that the busy work that was always given is something that should be more reflective in practice. Kids go to school 8 hours a day, they shouldn't have it follow them home for another 2 hours.