Hacking Student Learning Habits: 9 Ways to Foster Resilient Learners and Assess the Process, Not the Outcome by Elizabeth Jorgensen

3. Relinquish Control: Adopt a How-Driven Classroom

    What I Can Control

  • As the above image from the book shows, it’s important for students to understand what they can control.
  • Charts are a good way to track daily progress, and students should ideally make their own. They should also list the habits they are working on at the top of the chart. They should know how you will assess progress and what you expect each day. When they get frustrated, be sympathetic and ask them, “what can you do right now that will help? Short breaks can help, and there are several suggestions here on this subject.

4. Positive Competition: Reframe Comparison

  • It is important the students in your class see the class as a team rather than as individual competing students. The focus should be on comparing the work they are presently doing to their previous work. They can learn from the outcomes of other students but shouldn’t judge themselves by it. The success of others should not be seen as a threat. (Doug: I see this as competing with yourself.) Students should collaborate so they can learn from each other. First, they try, then they get feedback from each other and the teachers, then they incorporate the feedback and try again. This builds assessment into the daily process rather than waiting to judge the outcomes.
  • It helps if there is a sense of purpose. Presenting student work beyond the classroom as students in music classes do can help. Publishing student work on the Internet or somewhere gives students a reason to do their best every day. Extending student work into the community can also motivate. Be as flexible as you can and avoid needless constraints.

5. Develop the Inner Voice: Use Mantras ane Self-Tallk

  • Students need to believe that they are architects of their own growth. They need a positive inner monologue. One way to do this is with mantras. They can build a growth mindset, increase optimism, and help students in moments of doubt. They can help you relax and focus. You can also use short memoirs, six words or so, the same way you would use mantras. Share your mantras with the students and share student mantras. Try to develop a class mantra. There is a page here with student-generated mantras like “every day is a fresh start” and “do your best.”
  • The first step to action is belief, which mantras can promote. Students should know that everyone has doubts. Find ways to let them share their feelings. They should also reflect on their preparation and habits. Make class values visible with signs on the wall. Vision boards are also a way for students to reflect on what they want. Be sure to model the behaviors you want to see.
Share this:
Share this page via Email Share this page via Stumble Upon Share this page via Digg this Share this page via Facebook Share this page via Twitter Share this page via Google Plus
DrDougGreen.com     If you like the summary, buy the book
Pages: 1 2 3 4