Thrive in Action Blog Series: Student Voice, GPS 1 - Listening to Students
The Thrive In Action blog series highlights practical applications for Great Pedagogy Strategies (GPS) within the EdConnective Thrive Framework, summarized here. The EdConnective Thrive Framework is unique in that it can be applied to teaching actions seamlessly whether learning is in-person or remote. This week we get more familiar with:
Student Voice, GPS 1- Listening to Students: Teacher frequently creates space to listen to students about instruction and class culture, including through surveys, class meetings or advisory councils, and implements the feedback provided by students.
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In order for classrooms to truly be student-centered, teachers must engage in a process of listening to students (really listening to what students say they want and need), reflecting on what they have heard, and planning for active adjustments to the classroom community and instruction. When students’ see that their voices are valued and that they have the power to make a positive impact on what goes on in the classroom, they will be more invested in what happens there. Listening to students and their families means creating space to gather and implement their feedback about instruction and the learning community.
Surveys, established student advisories, and quick feedback at the end of a lesson are different ways teachers can establish space to listen to students. One particular way this GPS can be put into action is by having students complete a KWL chart at the start of a new unit and focusing on the “Want to Know” section of the graphic organizer to inform what content will be learned in that unit. Alternatively, a quick “fist to five” at the end of a lesson where students use their fingers (on a scale of zero to five) to respond to questions such as, “How much fun did you have in class today?” or, “How much did you enjoy working in groups in this lesson?” is a faster way to gather immediate student feedback.
In a virtual setting, there are resources like PollEverywhere, WordCloud, Zoom surveys, and Google Forms to gather both student and family input. Being strategic about which resource to use at each stage of learning is key; for example, a Google Form may be helpful in providing student input regarding a project you’re launching soon, but using a Google Form at the middle of a project may be less effective. Instead, a quick PollEverywhere may be a better space for students to provide rapid feedback at the end of a project. In each of these strategies, data is collected digitally and can be easily analyzed and shared by the teacher.
Download a summary of the EdConnective Thrive Framework here. EdConnective provides 1:1, personalized non-evaluative coaching to teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators, as well as small group coaching and large group training.