Good morning, #HackLearning ! I’m ready to talk Voice.
Sylvia, Writing Coach / Reading Tchr @BrandonHSEagles & moderator of the #HackLearning slow chat ... join me each week extending the conversation & growing our practice, life long learners! 😍
Ben here, English teacher and media literacy advocate. Got 3 extra 12yo’s in the house this morning so maybe this is me seeking refuge... good morning! #HackLearning
Student voice ... true change can only happen when we realize that "options" and empty "listening" is not student voice ... it is the crap we do to placate the students. Now make sure that shirt is tucked in and that belt is tight. #HackLearning
Good Morning. Rhonda from GA and I’m a Technology Instructional Coach atva high school. I think GA has officially by-passed Fall and went straight to Winter. #HackLearning
Morning, #hacklearning. I'm Brian. I teach middle-school students English in Colorado. Looking forward to talking student voices. (Contrary to what reality TV might tout, there's invariably more than one voice.)
a1. #hacklearning student voice being evident in a school culture is more than just about subjects or lessons. Kids are included via organizations/committees at critical stages of decision making processes. schoolwide or dept. specific, student representation is always visible.
A1 Haven't answered yet because there are so many to think of! They teach me something every day. I give them choice I think and then they ask for something different and it stumps me. Working on it...
#hacklearning
A1- When you give students a voice in the classroom you empower them. In my classroom students experienced leadership roles when they had a voice. #HackLearning
One thing to keep in mind is student voice includes ALL students. We have to figure out how to reach every one. We know there is no one-size-fits-all for this. #HackLearning
A1 Paula from Ky. I learned that I wasn’t really listening and making a lot of assumptions because I wasn’t asking. I cleaned up my listening ears. #hacklearning
A1 I had a S tell me in a RDG response journal that her g’ma was the abuser in memoir written by a local young lady ... her voice was powerful as she told me how her father tried to protect her from thinking poorly about her g’ma ... I read more of their voice now #HackLearning
Remember, we chat live on #SundayMornings, but @SylviaEllison drills down on the chat with #HackLearning's daily slow chat. Be sure to weigh in this week about student voice.
Good morning, #HackLearning ! I’m ready to talk Voice.
Sylvia, Writing Coach / Reading Tchr @BrandonHSEagles & moderator of the #HackLearning slow chat ... join me each week extending the conversation & growing our practice, life long learners! 😍
A1: When student voice is present in your classes, there is more palpable engagement. The students come back and remember what and how they learned because they hand in the how they learned and how it was expressed. #hacklearning
A1: Student Voice is student choice for me. But with my recent 1hr return to a classroom type environment I’m learning that I have to direct their choice because they’ve been indoctrinated to not have one with regards to school. #HackLearning
A1: without #studentvoice we are doing it wrong.
We must seek their perspective in order to better engage Students.
More specifically the under represented voice.
#hacklearning
A1: I’ve learned that student voice isn’t just about students being heard on our terms; student voice is about giving kids a seat at the table, hearing their ideas & then acting on them! It’s about promoting agency, empowerment & self-direction! #hacklearning
Once I break a fast, eating is just a hassle. My diaphragm goes from pushin in/&out to just competing with the stomach & it’s more of a pulling and dragging feeling
#hackthemind#hacklearning
... unlearning , refocusing
I agree .. true voice is authentic listening, thinking, connecting, & risking the moment to share true thoughts & feelings ... the art & science is verbal processing. 😎 #HackLearning
Student voice ... true change can only happen when we realize that "options" and empty "listening" is not student voice ... it is the crap we do to placate the students. Now make sure that shirt is tucked in and that belt is tight. #HackLearning
A1: Students have great ideas and input to offer when given the chance. Sometimes they're uncomfortable shaing those though if it's not part of the norm. Need to feel safe to even take the risk first. #hacklearning
A1: when you truly listen to Ss and then respond with compassion and honest guidance, you have a relationship where true teaching and learning can occur. #hacklearning
@hackmylearning#hacklearning A1 - this year when Ss finish a project, I hand them the rubric to self assess. Then we sit down and I ask them to explain their choices. I hear so much more about their process and decisions, even personal info about why they made them.
Q1: As an administrator, student voice has a significant impact on my job duties and performance. Student voice is very simple for me, their voice is the drive behind our school’s success, mission, vision, and goals. If I’m not listening, I am failing! #HackLearning
A1- matching learning goals with tools is essent to ensuring relevance #HackLearning - here are some of my favorite Tech Tools for Active Learning and student voice in Classrooms https://t.co/QpljeNMGRv
A1: I’ve always seen Ss voice as understanding they are little people...what they say matters...not their age...sometimes as the adult we have to project their voice from our bodies to get others to take them seriously. #HackLearning
A1: I learned that that we need to value student voice. Last week my T @kmcullen806 responded to a playground conflict by asking questions and then having the students write multiple system solutions. We used their solution and problem was solved. #hacklearning
A1: Student voice whether direct or indirect, verbal or nonverbal provides tremendous insight to our young people. Often times we only need to ask the questions or watch the behaviors to better understand our students and their individual needs. #HackLearning
In our HS we brought donuts and coffee in for students identified by some teachers as hard to reach. We asked them why they "try" in some classes and not others. They were CLEAR! Relationships! Might be tough to hear what students have to say. #HackLearning
Student voice is empowerment. It may not be visible all class period long or everyday but when students leave your class, will they say they were able "hear" each others' voices in the curriculum and learning experiences throughout the year? The answer NUST be yes. #hacklearning
A1 Voice need not mean only "talking lots in class." Offering multiple channels & back-channels for speaking, writing, drawing, gesturing can invite participation from a range of extroverts, introverts, & those in between depending on the day or task. #hacklearning
A1 When I started listening with an ear to hear, I was surprised by some of the things I heard. Today’s students aren’t the same as yesterday’s. #hacklearning
A1: When a teacher, principal, etc. allows student voice, it says, "Hey this isn't MY classroom, MY school, etc. But this is OUR classroom, and OUR school." It gives kids ownership and creates a shared environment of learning. #HackLearning
A1 Paula from Ky. I learned that I wasn’t really listening and making a lot of assumptions because I wasn’t asking. I cleaned up my listening ears. #hacklearning
A1: Student voice whether direct or indirect, verbal or nonverbal provides tremendous insight to our young people. Often times we only need to ask the questions or watch the behaviors to better understand our students and their individual needs. #HackLearning
A1: The biggest lesson I've learned is that the students with the "loudest" voices are usually the popular students. Less popular, low achieving, or shy students want to share but often feel no one will listen. We need to give ALL students a voice. #hacklearning
A1: when student voice is part of learning its more personal. More of sense of agency. Supports empathy and SEL. Learning is social and about relationships.
Stories
#HackLearning
If we create a safe environment rooted in mutual trust & respect, kids will be honest with us; sometimes maybe brutally honest and that’s ok! We need to listen to how our kids are experiencing school so we can continue to iterate & improve! #hacklearning
A1: Through student voice I’ve seen students come up with decisions/rules/ideas that better suit their needs than the ones the adults have decided on for those same students. #HackLearning
Great observation! We need to find ways for the more introverted, the less "popular to also find their voice. Some of these Ss flourish online without the pressure of others looking on. #HackLearning
A2: In Novi we have brought a group of students to our teacher PD to share results of our annual student survey. They share their perspective of life as a student in our classrooms. #hacklearning@HoppenstedtD
Morning, Mark. Happy weekend to you, too. I've been enjoying life outside lately while the weather's lovely. Now enjoying #hacklearning while it's still dark :)
The problem with student voice is that we have to first accept that they are all placed in a confining ... what are we doing to help them escape this box?
#HackLearning
Hey, everyone, take a quick second to retweet Q2 and invite your PLN to join us for the remainder of today's live #HackLearning chat. Maybe tag one of your fav hashtags in your retweet.
A2 Construct a creative space for Ss to report on what is happening or how they would improve practices. Make it an intentional learning space to grow #studentvoice. Check out: Student Voices Needed in School Reform https://t.co/VxFI0TmgPU via @edutopia#HackLearning
I’m teaching a class called Student Voice this year. 1 class per cycle for each grade 8 section. I’ve really enjoyed our conversations so far. #hacklearning
a2. #hacklearning a few years ago we did a future summit. it was a group of 60+ stakeholders from our community. students were thee too from diff. grade levels. they brought insights, feedback, follow ups. our mission/vision was updated accordingly. we need more such events.
A2: It starts with a safe space for the expression of ideas and showing Ss that their ideas matter by giving them serious consideration and using those ideas in some tangible way to impact the way material is covered. #hacklearning
Every two weeks I have lunch with 8 students, plus our student body president, and ask:
What’s going well?
What needs to change?
What would you like to see more of?
#hacklearning
A2: Platforms for Ss voice...start simple, listen in your classroom...then help your Ss get their voices out in the local community and then go global...Ss already use social media...help them harness the power #HackLearning
A2 We offer several seats on our School Advisory Counsel to our students ... we ask for their opinions on our school improvement goals so that they can give us the student perspective to consider ... are we really in the right track? #HackLearning
A2: We provide students a platform by including them in decisions; not just fun decisions like the theme for spirit week but also important decisions like the vision for the school & the hiring of new staff! Kids need input in the decisions that directly impact them #hacklearning
Thanks for offering your thoughts at today's live #HackLearning chat. Hope you'll be a regular visitor. Oh, we keep it moving throughout the week at our slow chat. Feel free to weigh in daily.
but do those rules even matter ... let's be honest every rule that a student creates has to fit into the vision created by the teacher/admin. #hacklearning
This is key! Student voice allows us the opportunity to hear how our students are experiencing school. Not what we think they are experiencing, but what they are telling us they are experiencing. #HackLearning
A2: I use https://t.co/cUn7H6H7MH to allow Ss and parents to give me anonymous feedback about what we are doing in class, what works for them, and what doesn't, etc. #Hacklearning
A2: I had to first gain the trust of my Ss and assure them that our area was Vegas...what happens here stays here (within reason of course). Once I got that established, I began asking them for weekly Glows and Grows because the class was new & we’d modify daily. #HackLearning
A2: IT's about surveying(formal & informal) them- how they learn & where their strengths and weaknesses.Choosing activities &curriculum materials that vallidate their needs & choices but also making choices for them that help them to grow( work on their weaknesses) #hacklearning
A2: I think it starts with everyone agreeing on how we will treat each other and seeing what we all think is important in our classroom. This helps us hear each other and feel our voice is valued. #hacklearning
A2: We began PBIS clubs last year that students choose a club of interest. The purpose is to deepen connections with students schoolwide. One club is “Our School Our Voice.” Ss K-5 join this club and determine how to improve our school. #hacklearning
A2: Include Ss on as many teams as possible. We should include them in decision making processes that affect them. I think we're too scared sometimes to allow student voice where it could easily be implemented. #hacklearning
We had subs - it was an all day School Improvement meeting. We kicked it off to give us a frame of reference from students and their perspectives. It was eye opening for some of our team members. #HackLearning
I’m teaching a class called Student Voice this year. 1 class per cycle for each grade 8 section. I’ve really enjoyed our conversations so far. #hacklearning
Right now our students shine a light on what is important to them by creating our Morning Announcements on the BNN (Byram News Network). In class the students often have choice in HOW they demonstrate learning. #hacklearning
A2- Allowing ss to have choice in the classroom. Ss can choose how they show what they know. This provides a creative experience for ss and a deeper understanding of the content. #HackLearning
A2 Ask them. Then be prepared for harder part: Coaching those who feel obliged to monopolize conversation to pick their spots & those who don't know what to do, or fear uncertainty of speaking up in circumstances where there's no slam-dunk right answer, to risk it. #hacklearning
A2: easy. Video is a perfect platform. 80% of kids are making videos already on a daily basis. Snapchat, Instagram, etc
Leverage that for putting #studentvoice in every learning experience.
#HackLearning
These conversations are the best WHEN I’ve built a relationship & trust with the student(s). They are more open & honest with their response.
#hacklearning
Every two weeks I have lunch with 8 students, plus our student body president, and ask:
What’s going well?
What needs to change?
What would you like to see more of?
#hacklearning
A2b I’ve asked students to teach us something they are the experts in but they didn’t want to take center stage ☹️ They much preferred when I shared something they are awesome at on their behalf #HackLearning
A2: Journal writing, appropriate social media, presentations at faculty meetings & school board meetings, one-on-one listening, being creative through art/video, speaking at school assemblies . . . #hacklearning
In our HS we brought donuts and coffee in for students identified by some teachers as hard to reach. We asked them why they "try" in some classes and not others. They were CLEAR! Relationships! Might be tough to hear what students have to say. #HackLearning
#HackLearning Q1
When this guy gets to read a question on #stuvoice for a @Flipgrid Twitter Chat, you know your ss are comfortable in "leading the way". Twitter provides the platform and good people like @AdamShortShorts from @Flipgrid "hear them loud and clear". @annkozma723
This is a great question....would it work? Only certain age groups? What would they talk about? Set up a student panel to speak freely about their experiences at school? #HackLearning#edchat#cultureEd
#HackLearning A2 we do badging in the #makerspace to give students open access to some tools and materials. This also makes them responsible for cleaning, maintaining and helping others. They definitely become partners at that point. #MakerED
A2 As admin, I have an open door policy. Ss come in regularly to give me ideas on what needs to improve, how a teacher is doing, anthing they find fair or unfair. Most of their feedback is helpful (they have a clear idea of what good teaching looks like) #HackLearning
If you don't have students coming up to you asking for assistance in advocating for them you might not have a "student voice" conducive environment #hacklearning
Thanks for joining today's live #HackLearning chat, Erika. Hope you'll weight in throughout the week as we slow chat about student voice daily with @SylviaEllison on the #HackLearning slow chat.
A2 Reconize the process as a continuum. When Ss have a voice in their learning-there is a shift from teacher-centered to a learner-driven classroom culture. #HackLearning
When students push back. Don't take it personally. Use this as an opportunity to teach them how to use their voice respectfully and successfully. #HackLearning
A2 bring Ss into PD to cofacilitate w adults or even run sessions, cocreation of curriculum, determine the PBL projects they want to accomplish, build spaces for kids to pursue their own learning interests, support use of connectivity to expand their access #hacklearning
So many ways ➡️ formal/informal class discussions, emails, texts (@RemindHQ), @Flipgrid, @Socrative, creative writing/journals, student forums... the possibilities are endless, even for quiet/silent students. Teachers just have to make sure they are LISTENING 👩🏻🏫👂#HackLearning
A2 We have a student officer on our PTSA and a S rep on our school board. I try to direct my 15 yr old to inititiate change in things he doesn’t agree with and start a new club for something he’s interested in. Understand the power of voice. #hacklearning
Q2: My high school created an ambassador leadership team which represents all of the demographics of our school. They initiated a school-wide survey proposing changes to our cafeteria food. Trust me, administration listened when they proposed their data and changes! #HackLearning
A3: When Ss push back I try to understand the WHY behind what they are saying. It takes a much longer conversation that often have follow up conversations to make sure any adjustments have been successful. #hacklearning
As a school leader I used the 15 minute meeting with my staff. It was highly effective and efficient. I wonder if we could have a similar format with students in class. Here is the link. #hacklearninghttps://t.co/0XRhvPsIwT
A2 bring Ss into PD to cofacilitate w adults or even run sessions, cocreation of curriculum, determine the PBL projects they want to accomplish, build spaces for kids to pursue their own learning interests, support use of connectivity to expand their access #hacklearning
A2: Student feedback should be taken in a consistent way and reflected upon by administrators and teachers. We should listen to students to find out how effective our learning is. I have monthly chats with a student focus group and encourage admin to do the same. #hacklearning
A3 I choose to get curious instead of confrontational ... I’m love the why behind the what ... sometimes there is misunderstanding and sometimes there is mistake ... Ss will not be open-minded if I’m not. #HackLearning
Thanks for this, Angela. Appreciate you joining today's live #HackLearning chat. Remember, we keep the chat going at our daily slow chat at #HackLearning. Be sure to share a thought or a resource daily.
Often the problem isn't the message, it's the tone. Teach Ss to speak for themselves politely, in a way that will ensure their voices are heard. Teach them the importance of word choice, tone, facial expressions & body language. These are lessons for life. #hacklearning
start by not lying to ourselves ... thinking that by giving them options in class is true student voice ...we have to create opportunities for them to think beyond the school walls. Make actual decisions for themselves and let them safely fail #hacklearning
A3: we must listen, acknowledge their concern, empathize, give them insight to the issue/concern as much as possible.
Ask them how they think the issue could be improved.
Work with them, but do not automatically shutdown their concerns or ideas.
#hacklearning
A3 (2/2): So when we get pushback, we should ask ourselves :Are we clear in what we want them to do and why? Have we establishing a trusting relationship? If the answer's no, refocus and reprioritize. #hacklearning
A3 Politely, open-mindedly. Sometimes, that means hearing message & acting on it, yet also supporting messenger in how to craft voice more effectively for target audience. Tweak tone, diction, register. Revision's not just for writing. #hacklearning
A2 at #aiacaesafeschools summit on Fri teens from @msdnasagv reminded me that we adults need to listen more and talk less in presence of teens - they have insights we’ve forgotten abt most important role of Ts and school as community #hacklearning
Often the problem isn't the message, it's the tone. Teach Ss to speak for themselves politely, in a way that will ensure their voices are heard. Teach them the importance of word choice, tone, facial expressions & body language. These are lessons for life. #hacklearning
#HackLearning A3 I always try to remember what it was like and how I felt about things when I was their age. I try and remember that the context of the idea or feeling is as important as the feeling itself. Just because I have more experience doesn't mean I'm right.
We need to have Ts trained on how to amplify Ss voice within the walls of our schools on issues that impact their lives. We need to promote Debate, JSA, Model UN, GIN, DI clubs that give kids the chance to learn these skills! #hacklearning
A3: Ask why they're pushing back and LISTEN to their answers. Support them if appropriate. Begin conversations with the teachers & leaders to look for opportunities to improve/change. #hacklearning
Every two weeks I have lunch with 8 students, plus our student body president, and ask:
What’s going well?
What needs to change?
What would you like to see more of?
#hacklearning
We know that is not going to happen anytime soon ... but what we can do is buck the system... sometimes kids just need to know how to work within a restrictive system and still get what they want. #hacklearning
My students were asked to present their learning at a staff meeting, they weren’t comfortable doing it live. They were comfortable filming it in @Flipgrid So I shared their grids 👍👍 #HackLearning
A3 assume adults aren’t always right and that S POV may be different because of our confirmation biases and cognitive inflexibility as adults - we need to see kids as reflective partners in our work too #hacklearning
a3. #hacklearning by removing ourselves out of the equation. seeing things from a neutral pov can help dig deeper and find out real issues that may lie underneath. often times their push back has genuine feedback but without the right words. we can help them with the words.
We know that is not going to happen anytime soon ... but what we can do is buck the system... sometimes kids just need to know how to work within a restrictive system and still get what they want. #hacklearning
Completely agree! As the school leader we talk a lot about tone and approach with students. It important to set ourselves up for successful outcomes. Some days will be better the others but we have to make consistent effort. #hacklearning
Often the problem isn't the message, it's the tone. Teach Ss to speak for themselves politely, in a way that will ensure their voices are heard. Teach them the importance of word choice, tone, facial expressions & body language. These are lessons for life. #hacklearning
Instead of worrying about how we respond when student voice pushes back on the adults in schools; instead, we should worry about the fact that we don’t encourage our kids to push back enough. We want self-advocacy but only to a point IMO! #Hacklearning
A3: Keep in mind the difference between how DO we respond when student voice questions or push backs against the teacher's or school's authority vs. how SHOULD we respond. We should be encouraging different perspectives and student advocacy. Yay when Ss do! #hacklearning
A3: This is the crucial point...if we only listen when Ss agree with us that’s not true Ss voice...if we say we’re inviting Ss voice we’re willing to hear them no matter the message and willing to act on their voice even if it makes adults uncomfortable #HackLearning
A3: Our response to this situation will either gain trust or lose their trust. This is our opportunity to learn & grow. We should embrace it. We must be open to hearing and reflecting on their criticisms. Ask Qs w/o judgement... “tell me what I don’t understand.” #hacklearning
Absolutely. This is another important life skill. We all deal with systems we may not always agree with, but we have to find a way to make it work for us. #hacklearning
Many of our 20 #HackLearning books are filled with amazing hacks that help us empower students and amplify their voices. Look inside any title on this one page today. You'll also find amazing sales.
#sunchat#k12https://t.co/6nfh6KOsKz
A3 Ask critical questions. What genders/ethnicities are missing in S leadership? Push-back in the older grades may come from Ss who do not see themselves in the adult leadership around them. Even books have a hierarchy of an ethnicity/gender gap. #Hacklearning
They also need to see teachers model that behavior ... if teachers are not advocating for them/speaking out than how will kids ever get empowered to do so. #hacklearning
Join #HackLearning chat Oct 28 at 8:30-9:00am EDT when Rachelle Dene Poth @Rdene913 will be guest moderator leading chat on the "hacky" topic of High Engagement
Thank for sharing, Tim. I could see using this in my ELA class as one structure for talking about shared-text or choice reading, as well as debriefing a task or assessment, or unit. #hacklearning
What exactly do we think will happen? Lord of the Flies... Attica? Student leadership training is a key to promoting a school culture that gives students a seat at the table and turns students into true stakeholders. #hacklearning
You say you are MS/HS teacher and wonder why some students struggle with accepting goals set for them? Perhaps learning more about how their values play into this would be helpful? #bookcamppd chat Sunday PM @7:30 EST.
A3: take a moment, breathe, and seriously try to find the root of where the push back is coming from. We’ve got to remember our ability to succeed is directly tied to our emotional health which is connected to perspective. Actively listen not placate to check a box #HackLearning
