Good morning! Sylvia, Writing Coach / Reading Teacher @BrandonHSEagles ... So glad to be here this morning. Can't wait for the new cover reveal! :) #HackLearning
Good morning #hacklearning! Aubrey, district admin in CO. I'm joining after a very reflective day yesterday where I spent lots of time journaling & processing upcoming changes at work!
Good morning, #HackLearning, Mark here, elementary principal in Hopkins, MN. I'm checking in from Two Harbors, MN on the North Shore of Lake Superior. This is my view this morning.
Good morning, #HackLearning, Mark here, elementary principal in Hopkins, MN. I'm checking in from Two Harbors, MN on the North Shore of Lake Superior. This is my view this morning.
A1: Reflection is an essential tool for life-long learning. Teaching Ss to reflect objectively on both strengths and weaknesses will help them develop a skill they need in order to be successful in life.
#hacklearning
Hi, #HackLearning crew! Joy from IL here...
A1: It's important for learners of all ages to remember that they can learn from ALL they do - success and failure. We learn from looking ahead to what we can change. A simple plus/delta chart can help guide us.
they can't be self-learners in the future if they don't have the skills to know what they know & are good at and what they need help with.
#hacklearning
A1: Student choice is essentials or their learning—they need to also “choose” their strengths and weaknesses rather than be told what they are; and that’s where the discussion begins #hacklearning
A1: When Ss self-assess, they often have difficulty identifying their strengths & weaknesses. It’s necessary to objectively identify both in order to grow.
#hacklearning
A1- Students will become owners of their learning when they know their strengths and weakness. Students also are able to advocate for their learning! #HackLearning
A1 When students understand their strengths, they know when to help their peers - which sharpens their skills. Students who recognize their weaknesses will understand when things will seem difficult- which sharpens focus. #HackLearning
Ss need to become independent learners, when they get out in the real world and are working on a project they HAVE to be able to ask themselves what they know and what they don’t. They also need to then be able to figure out how to learn what they don’t know. #HackLearning
A1 IMO it’s critical for them to think not only about what they learned but also to consider HOW they learned it. I want sts to be able to repeat the process (when it works) or correct the process (when it didn’t) #HackLearning
A1: Understanding who you are as a person and a learner leads to greater growth (in academics and in life). And we won't always be there for our kids, so they have to learn to do it independently! #HackLearning
A1: true growth happens when you are able to regency on your journey. Where you stated& where you are now. This is where you see your strengths & weaknesses. #Hacklearning
Sorry, I'm a little late, #hacklearning. Doing my Dad-duties...chocolate chip pancakes get priority this morning :)
Karl, 3td-6th gr basic skills ELA teacher from the Jersey shore. How y'all doin' this AM?
A1. When Ss know what you’re capable of, it can help them shape their goals. Knowing strengths & weaknesses can help create the most effective path to reaching their vision i.e., plan around obstacles before they reach them in order to improve chances of success. #hacklearning
Good morning from SC! A1 #HackLearning My first thought is that we can't always be with them. Our ultimate job is that they be able to do these things without us. If we teach them to identify and reflect on their own strengths and weaknesses, they will be much more successful.
A1: Looking at your own strengths and weaknesses allow you to see how far you've come and developed. Reflection allows you to understand yourself and your learning in ways you didn't see before. #HackLearning
A1 IMO it’s critical for them to think not only about what they learned but also to consider HOW they learned it. I want sts to be able to repeat the process (when it works) or correct the process (when it didn’t) #HackLearning
A1b: Although, even as an adult, when I do some deep reflecting, I often talk with a couple of friends to make sure I am accurately self-assessing. We all have blind spots. #HackLearning
A1: The process of self-reflection moves us into the driver's seat and gives us a map to follow for acknowledging our strengths and improving upon our weaknesses. #hacklearning
Hi, #HackLearning crew! Joy from IL here...
A1: It's important for learners of all ages to remember that they can learn from ALL they do - success and failure. We learn from looking ahead to what we can change. A simple plus/delta chart can help guide us.
A1: Critical self-reflection on one’s own readiness levels is a pathway to individualized & personalized learning. Self-awareness also empowers students to engage in more purposeful self-directed learning. #Hacklearning
A1. Helping Ss identify their strengths is a great way to build motivation & self-confidence. Creating a personal inventory, setting-up goals based on strengths & using positive attributes when providing feedback, helps build self-awareness & stronger learners. #hacklearning
A1. Reflection deepens learning. The act of reflecting is one which causes Ss to make sense of what they have learned, why they learned it, and how that particular increment of learning took place. #hacklearning
Growth requires assessment & planning. So, this is a question of self-assessment and self-reflection. Most Ss don't do this naturally. Heck, many adults don't! So, it needs direct instruction and TIME & PRACTICE & CELEBRATION & NURTURING. Facing weakness is tough!
#hacklearning
A1b: Although, even as an adult, when I do some deep reflecting, I often talk with a couple of friends to make sure I am accurately self-assessing. We all have blind spots. #HackLearning
Hi, #HackLearning crew! Joy from IL here...
A1: It's important for learners of all ages to remember that they can learn from ALL they do - success and failure. We learn from looking ahead to what we can change. A simple plus/delta chart can help guide us.
A1: I think I'll add to this by saying #HackLearning always makes me reflective! I'm not sure I am actually doing enough of this with students. Something I can correct starting first thing in the morning!
A1) When students self-identify it aligns with their current priorities and the next developmental steps they feel need to be addressed. This provides ownership and is more likely to be acted upon with the proper supports. #hacklearning
A1: The process of self-reflection moves us into the driver's seat and gives us a map to follow for acknowledging our strengths and improving upon our weaknesses. #hacklearning
A1: It's important for Ss to reflect in strengths and weaknesses because each student is unique as well as their goals. Each student has something to attain #hacklearning
Same reason we need to teach them HOW to learn, not WHAT to learn. It's the whole "teach a man to fish" notion. Give them the skills. Let them learn!
#HackLearning
A2 I have found using retrieval practice helpful for reflection. Have students recall information, then think about why they remembered some things better than others. #HackLearning
A2 Shift our focus from grades to learning. Stop giving letter & number grades, start giving targeted, actionable feedback and give second chances. #HackLearning
A2: Many Ss tend to be very hard on themselves (Ts too). When reflecting on their work we can ask them to identify 3 strengths before looking at weaknesses.
#hacklearning
A1 When students are given opportunities to self reflect, they begin to take on more responsibility for their learning. #GradualReleaseModel#HackLearning
A1: The process of self-reflection moves us into the driver's seat and gives us a map to follow for acknowledging our strengths and improving upon our weaknesses. #hacklearning
Without reflection, students are more done with what they are learning. Reflection allows for deeper ownership.
Having students refer back to reflection prior to the next opportunity will make the reflection even more purposeful. #HackLearning
Definitely. Some students are not able to assess their strengths very well and others are not aware of or ready to accept their weaknesses. Accurate self-assessment is not a given. #HackLearning
A2: Reflective writing, goal setting, visualization, mental contrasting, etc. all help tremendously. @davestuartjr taught me about WOOP (wish, outcome, obstacle, outcome, plan) goal setting which is great for this. #hacklearning
A2: as I reflect on this question, I think it needs to start with students understanding (and more importantly accepting) what their strengths are. That might be half the battle #hacklearning
A2 the challenge is great ... maybe that is where goal setting is important? As I coach tchrs, I have to remind them that what they need to use to improve is what they already have - make the tool work with your personality & style #HackLearning
@hackmylearning A1: True change comes from within. Ss who identify their own strengths and weaknesses take ownership of them and are empowered to take the next steps to continue growing as learners and humans. #hacklearning
A2. Ts who promote reflective classrooms ensure that Ss are fully engaged in the process of making meaning. They organize instruction so Ss are producers, not just consumers, of knowledge. To guide Ss in reflection, Ts are ‘facilitators of meaning making'. #hacklearning
A1 kids who self assess, think metacogntively about process and outcome of learning formally and informally, create internal locus of control and that’s critical to owning one’s own learning #HackLearning
Continue the conversation with us ... we can chat all week long ... 2 questions / lots of ideas / safe-free environment for trying out new ideas. #HackLearning
Thanks. The hope is to build upon our students natural need for independence by showing them that these are the tools for self-fulfillment and self-realization. #HackLearning
A2: At the start of the school yr, create an "expert board" (via Passion-Driven Classroom) where everyone in class can see who is an expert at what. We can go to those learners and ask for help, or we can see that these skills can get us over obstacles - together. #HackLearning
A2: Encouraging Ss to capitalize upon & develop strengths they already possess helps decrease frustrations from weaknesses. We encourage Ts to fully develop their natural strengths rather than forcing improvement of skills they don’t naturally possess. Why not Ss? #hacklearning
A2: We often focus on growing in areas of weakness. But what about growing in areas of strength? That can be encouraging and a vehicle to learn how to improve in our weaknesses too. #HackLearning
A2. Reflective Ts help Ss understand that they will now look back rather than move forward. They will take a break from what they have been doing, step away from their work, & ask themselves, ‘What have I (or we) learned from doing this activity?’ #hacklearning
When I'm training peer tutors in @Skyline_WC, we talk about reflection + the ability to self-coach toward improvement, especially since I'm not with them for every session all of the time. There's a ton of super important reasons to be able reflect meaningfully. #HackLearning
A1 Reflection is a metacognitive move & metacognition has a solid effect size in Hattie''s world. https://t.co/yoVLLkd0tA Metacognition also provides a stepping stone to greater student agency -- an ingredient in not-so-secret sauce of motivation. #hacklearning
A1 I find the best reflection for our elementary students is frequent and focused. I use quick writes to get their thinking down on paper before their "filter" kicks in. #HackLearning
A2: We can make self reflection a priority in the classroom. Have them reflect, and then pull those reflections out later for them to re-evaluate. Make sure you set the time aside. #HackLearning
This is one of the hardest things for me in coaching conversations with teachers - so many are so hard on themselves, and while I want to give actionable feedback, I want them to know that they do so many things well! #HackLearning
A2 Providing opportunities for them to engage in critical thinking related to their progress/learning/process. Intentionally model and develop this skill and include adequate time for this to happen. #HackLearning
A2. Classrooms tend to be oriented to the present & future, than to the past. Such an orientation means that Ss (& Ts) find it easier to discard what has happened & to move on without taking stock of the seemingly isolated experiences of the past. #hacklearning
A2: #HackLearning I think this involves lots of lots of conversations, something that often gets pushed to the back-burner because of so many other things that APPEAR more important. We have to put a high priority on these conversations so that they actually happen.
A2. Reflective practice encourages Ss to learn to retain information rather than just consume it. It also encourages the young mind to form links & apply experiences rather that have an ‘episodic grasp of reality’. #hacklearning
A2: actionable feedback&student conferencing.Start w/ helping them see where they r doing well& where to challenge themselves.include a self assessment as a part of this. Eventually they know where & how to grow in their learning. And you can stand back& watch 😎 #Hacklearning
A2 time is the variable in reflection - without time to intentionally reflect internally and collaboratively - create space in life and school for adults and learners to reflect. #HackLearning
With my #Gamers we blog daily - What our goals for the day are and then if we accompished them. Students are extremely honest. When you listen.
#HackLearning
YES! Asking students "What went well? and Why do you think that is?" Let's them build on those strengths and possibly transfer it to other contexts. #HackLearning
A2. The practice of active reflection extends past academic education – it is a tool that Ss will carry into all spheres of life. Helping Ss reflect on their learning can help them develop focus & learn to deal with the sensory overload that is modern day. #hacklearning
A2: Begin with reflective gratitude journaling. It is easier to identify what students are grateful for in others and then shift their focus to what they are grateful for in themselves #hacklearning
A1: As Daniel Pink says, motivation is driven by purpose, mastery, and autonomy. Learners are more likely to stay engaged and seek more learning if they feel they are actually growing and going somewhere #hacklearning
A2) Carve our time to have the conversations that really matters. Guide them to reflect on their learning and how you can support that growth. #HackLearning
We all need to get out from under the cloud of negativity and self-doubt from time to time. The kindness I receive from members of my #PLN is what brings me back to @Twitter on a regular basis. I wish all educators could experience that kindness. #hacklearning
A2: What a neat question. We have to start by helping them identify strengths, and then coaching them through challenges by reminding them of those strengths and actively helping them apply them. Kids won’t get there on their own. #hacklearning
Some examples might include:
What went well?
What do you already know?
What understanding can you apply?
What strengths do you have?
Where do you excel?
#HackLearning
A2: #HackLearning I think this involves lots of lots of conversations, something that often gets pushed to the back-burner because of so many other things that APPEAR more important. We have to put a high priority on these conversations so that they actually happen.
A2 In early years, guiding them to ‘learn’ how they learn along with successful strategies for their own success can develop that foundation of and for reflective practice. #HackLearning
BINGO - we need to make time for reflection if we expect anything to happen. Be intentional with planning time in the day/week/month/year. #HackLearning
A2 time is the variable in reflection - without time to intentionally reflect internally and collaboratively - create space in life and school for adults and learners to reflect. #HackLearning
This is a huge idea! I'm not sure we show students that we value reflection by making time for it in class + showing them frameworks they can use. Reflection isn't innate, so we need to learn + practice, which requires that we're making it a time priority. #HackLearning
We can help students by modeling more of this behavior ourselves. If we can, as educators, consistently position ourselves as learners & engage in personal reflection on our own readiness levels, we will inspire our students as well. #hacklearning
Man Jeffrey, I need to pick your brain some time. I would love to start a writing center at our school. It sounds like such an opportunity for those Ss to lead in a positive way. #hacklearning
In reply to
@MrAustinA2, @carlameyrink, @Skyline_WC
I usually ask them to point out the positives first. Then I add to them. From there they talk about areas of improvement & we choose the one or two most important areas to work on.
#hacklearning
Asking this question to a student is a start after the student and teacher have had a conversation about their strengths and weaknesses.
Teacher: How can your ability to ____ help you grow in ____???
Student: 🤔🤔🤔
Teacher: Wait time or give personal example #HackLearning
This is so true with Ts as well as Ss. My blog post this week is about asking Ts to reflect on something that went well. It's called "What's Your Win?" https://t.co/nFGfiyrxN5#HackLearning
Our students can have the same problem - they are so down on themselves they don’t think they will ever succeed - getting them to see that they are not fixed, there are clear actions they can take to improve! #hacklearning
This is one of the hardest things for me in coaching conversations with teachers - so many are so hard on themselves, and while I want to give actionable feedback, I want them to know that they do so many things well! #HackLearning
Agreed. We need to be confident in our abilities in order to turn that confidence into the courage to attack the areas that we need to improve upon. So important! #HackLearning
A2 Teaching explicit feedback moves, whether directed at ourselves or others, coupled w/portfolio structures (or mindsets), allowing us to look at our body of work over time, can set up fruitful returns on investments in reflection. #hacklearning
Student reflection is my jam! We have to ask kids what they know and can do and teach them how to communicate so we can better inform the instruction #hacklearning
A2: By having Ss refer back to past work and past reflection, they'll better see what they can do to make improvements during a new learning opportunity. This encourages reflection as a continuous part of the learning process rather than an endpoint in learning. #HackLearning
We can help students by modeling more of this behavior ourselves. If we can, as educators, consistently position ourselves as learners & engage in personal reflection on our own readiness levels, we will inspire our students as well. #hacklearning
A3 Begin by incorporating reflective exit slips that are saved to a digital portfolio, Google classroom or @Seesaw. This way kids can look back at their progress #HackLearning
A3 Incorporate a system of feedback & revision.
Grades indicate an end point for must students, learning & reflection are iterative, classroom processes should encourage that #HackLearning
A3: Have Ss self-assess & then conference with them. Ask guiding questions to help them become more objective in their assessment. With practice they will be able to this independently.
#hacklearning
We all need to get out from under the cloud of negativity and self-doubt from time to time. The kindness I receive from members of my #PLN is what brings me back to @Twitter on a regular basis. I wish all educators could experience that kindness. #hacklearning
A2: We have to carve out time for goal setting and reflection. I like to have learners set goals on Monday and reflect quickly each day and then have a deeper reflection on Friday. That isn’t to say goals must always be weekly but it shows how to make it a habit #hacklearning
A1). This allows students to make better choices in their education. Our school allows our students to have a great amount of choice. This type of awareness makes student choice a much better tool for high level achievement and success. #HackLearning
With my #Gamers we blog daily - What our goals for the day are and then if we accompished them. Students are extremely honest. When you listen.
#HackLearning
A2: Teachers need to help students convert their learning into actionable steps when starting and in the midst of the next learning opportunity. #HackLearning
I also think that "weaknesses" has such a negative connotation. How can we help students (and teachers) understand that we ALL have weaknesses? It's okay! #HackLearning
A2. The practice of active reflection extends past academic education – it is a tool that Ss will carry into all spheres of life. Helping Ss reflect on their learning can help them develop focus & learn to deal with the sensory overload that is modern day. #hacklearning
A2: We have to carve out time for goal setting and reflection. I like to have learners set goals on Monday and reflect quickly each day and then have a deeper reflection on Friday. That isn’t to say goals must always be weekly but it shows how to make it a habit #hacklearning
A3) I've seen teachers using conferring as part of our new literacy curriculum to have conversations with students to discover strengths, passions and areas of growth. Conferring can be used in all curricular areas and in all settings. #HackLearning
A2 NOTICING and NAMING in our feedback can be more helpful in reflective practice than praise. "I noticed you___ and that helped you____." Rather than, "Good job." or "I like how you___" can raise their awareness and encourage repeat performances! #HackLearning
A3 I'm a fan of three basic feedback buckets when gathering reflections: What should I keep doing vs. stop doing vs. change doing. Next level involves being able to justify what goes in each bucket: Address why. #hacklearning
A3: I really like the WOOP goal because it forces you to think about the obstacles that might get in your way, something most other goal setting tools do not consider #hacklearning
I also think that "weaknesses" has such a negative connotation. How can we help students (and teachers) understand that we ALL have weaknesses? It's okay! #HackLearning
A2: We could build in self-assessment and reflection into each project, where the list of strengths and weaknesses turns into an action plan and their rubric for the next project. #hacklearning
A3: Built in time daily and a process for Ss to use. This isn’t something you *should* do. It’s something we’re going to do daily without fail. #hacklearning
A2). I use Google forms for feedback to students. I have them answer questions that make them think about the process they just went through. Analyzing what went well and what went wrong is helpful. After several attempts with this they start to see patterns. #HackLearning
A3 Standards were a transparent part of our experience. Students also helped develop the success criteria and assignments. So they knew expectations ahead of time and could speak to strengths and challenges #hacklearning
A3: I really like the WOOP goal because it forces you to think about the obstacles that might get in your way, something most other goal setting tools do not consider #hacklearning
A3. Group work generally enhances self-awareness & reflection as Ss become aware of the level of their own performance relative to others. However, it is essential that they learn their subject-specific performance, as well as their generic skills performance. #hacklearning
A3: less focus on grades. More focus on process than product. Spend time on activities/lessons that have Ss practice reflection, giving/receiving feedback, revising work. When we do this Ss understand what we value as important #hacklearning
A2 We create Growth Portfolios instead of Best Work. My HS students start by exploring what types of careers they may enjoy; then we tailor their growth in several content & life skills areas to their planned future. Relevance & reflection increased when purposeful! #hacklearning
A3: It was mentioned before, but you have to give time for it. A good mix of scaffolded with questions or structures & some open-ended. Some writing, some verbal, some self, some with groups, some with teacher. Mix it up so it transfers across environments. #HackLearning
We need to consistently ask students what they learned, how they learned, and how they used it to understand other info better.
We need the novacaine approach to teach these skills: give it TIME and do it AGAIN until it starts to seep in and have its effect.
#hacklearning
A2 NOTICING and NAMING in our feedback can be more helpful in reflective practice than praise. "I noticed you___ and that helped you____." Rather than, "Good job." or "I like how you___" can raise their awareness and encourage repeat performances! #HackLearning
You're absolutely right! Students want genuine conversation where they consider their choices, which is a of the reasons I moved to face-to-face grading. Students also self-report their grades to remove the looming evaluation as a barrier to honest reflection. #HackLearning
A3: #HackLearning I'm always lost somewhere b/t a huge fan of journaling & the person that laughs when someone tells me I should journal more often. I can't believe I'm going to say this, but perhaps journalling each day, along side our Ss might help everyone involved.
A3. Anecdotal evidence from the number of portfolios undertaken suggests this has genuinely improved reflective skills by helping Ss in the unpacking process. It appears to help them realise the process they are going through & to sum up their experiences. #hacklearning
A1: Metacognition is an essential tool for life. When Ss understand their thinking and can reflect on their understanding, they are better able to take steps to improve. Encouraging reflection is helps to develop a skill they will need for the rest of their lives. #hacklearning
A2 Encouraging Ss to reflect on their own successes, but also on the positive work/effort of their peers/partners can reinforce a posittve learning process. "What did ___(someone) do today that helped you learn?" #HackLearning
A3: Build the time & space into the day formally, but more importantly model reflection via think aloud as a process a learner constantly engages in. Students emulate what we model. Imagine if an entire school did this K on up, would we not have reflective learners? #HackLearning
A1: Metacognition is an essential tool for life. When Ss understand their thinking and can reflect on their understanding, they are better able to take steps to improve. Encouraging reflection is helps to develop a skill they will need for the rest of their lives. #hacklearning
A3: Build the time & space into the day formally, but more importantly model reflection via think aloud as a process a learner constantly engages in. Students emulate what we model. Imagine if an entire school did this K on up, would we not have reflective learners? #HackLearning
I hope to hear your great plans, attempts, successes and learning moments ... join the conversation at #HackLearning -- same channel, same great learning, 2 questions to chat all week long! :)
A2 We create Growth Portfolios instead of Best Work. My HS students start by exploring what types of careers they may enjoy; then we tailor their growth in several content & life skills areas to their planned future. Relevance & reflection increased when purposeful! #hacklearning
A2: I use a goals map where Ss pick goals & then consider obstacles that might get in their way. They then figure out ways to overcome those obstacles. When reflecting about learning or their strengths and weaknesses, we move back to this reflective problem solving. #hacklearning
A3 Our Growth Portfolios become a centerpiece in our Teacher-less, Student-led Conferences. I’d like to hold them twice each year. I wish we could offer more course options for a greater variety of learning. #HackLearning
Join #HackLearning chat Feb 17 at 8:30-9:00am EDT when Hack Learning author Michael Fisher @fisher1000 will be guest moderator leading chat on the "hacky" topic of Contemporary Considerations.
A3) Students crave learning and challenges even if they outwardly project that they only want the easiest path. Creating a classroom community in which students feel comfortable making mistakes is important. Allowing risk taking and failure in class is essential. #HackLearning
A3: Build the time & space into the day formally, but more importantly model reflection via think aloud as a process a learner constantly engages in. Students emulate what we model. Imagine if an entire school did this K on up, would we not have reflective learners? #HackLearning
