#learningtargets

[mglearn]

Reposted from @manelymath So many exciting things to share from our 7th grade preap training today. Since learning targets and success criteria are high on hatties list of effectiveness, we have been showcasing different ways of interacting with them in the classroom. One idea, shared from @thepurposedriventeacher , was to have them on the desk for students to see the entire class. So we thought, why not put them in a sheet protector and check them off with dry erase markers as we go! In one lesson we had students check them off at the end as a way to assess students self assessment of understanding. In the second lesson we checked them off as a group each time we completed a criteria. And the best thing is, sheet protectors are so cheap! . . #instructionalstrategy #teacherclarity #hattie #learningtargets #successcriteria #studentselfassessment #studentreflection #formativeassessment #iteachmath #middleschoolmath #middleschoolmathteacher #texasteacher https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Uvt_PBPt8/?igshid=cclsa835wi27

[russgoerend]

In the back of my mind...

My advice to up-and-coming reformers: assume your work will be mandated. What will you build in up front to minimize the harm or foolish use of it?

From the comments on "Mandating the daily posting of objectives, and other dumb ideas" by Grant Wiggins

This is similar to question I continually ask myself while planing/teaching/doing anything as a teacher:

Would I want my sons to be doing what I'm asking my students to do?

[russgoerend]

Whose learning target?

I stumbled across an article titled Know Your Learning Target while futzing around Google looking for articles about learning standards.

I just…I don’t do well with this philosophy. I get that research shows it’s the best way to get results and improve student achievement but…well, is that what we’re all about? Is that the ultimate purpose of the time students spend in school? I get that it’s a component, but is that the end goal? Don’t we want more for them than to able to learn what someone else wants them to learn?

Opening sentence:

The first thing students need to learn is what they’re supposed to be learning.

My sensors started to go off. “What they’re supposed to be learning.” That sounds like someone telling students what they’re supposed to learn. Maybe I was jumping the gun. I kept reading.

Under the heading The Dangers of Flying Blind:

No matter what we decide students need to learn, not much will happen until students understand what they are supposed to learn during a lesson and set their sights on learning it.

My emphasis added.

Hm. I kept reading, hoping this would turn a corner and give students some credit, some agency, some respect as learners.

There were a couple headings that used sharing in them. This made me think there might be some shared responsibility in creating learning targets, as in This is what we, students, want to learn. Here’s how we’ll get there.

Unfortunately, “sharing” was code for broadcasting. As in literally, sharing the existence of learning targets with students.

I just feel like we could set the bar higher, that’s all.