Technology Learning

Secret Two: Focus on the Ideal

You get more of what you focus on.

For anyone who has been in a kindergarten class, it is clear that what you focus on increases. If you tell someone to stop running, you will be repeating yourself over and over again. If you tell a child to stay away from the toys, other children will instantly be drawn toward them. If you ask a girl to stop talking, you’ll be telling most of the girls and boys to stop talking. Whatever you pay attention to, you will see it over and over again. Though this is obvious in a kindergarten class, this exists everywhere, we just may not be aware of it.

Focus on the positive.

If you notice a student sitting quietly and say something about it, like magic the other students will start to find their seats. If you want a student to stop slouching, make a comment about another student who is sitting up straight. If you want your class to stop daydreaming, comment on a student who is faithfully reading. Change your focus from the stressful, negative things to the ideal, positive things. It takes effort, but it does pay off. Even young swimming instructors are taught to give three positives comments before giving one piece of constructive criticism. You’ll not only see a change in behaviour, but you will also improve the esteem and morale of the class.

Be specific with your feedback.

As you find yourself being more positive, but sure to be specific with your comments. Saying “good job” or “awesome work” could apply to any student in any class and may not hit home with your student. You may notice the clear line design on a student’s artwork. You may comment on how well a student makes use of prepositional phrases and conjunctions in a story about an evergreen forest. You may pick up on the fact that a ball player steps with the opposite foot when throwing. This is the type of specific feedback that will really help a student. Knowing exactly what to keep doing will encourage a student. Knowing exactly how to improve or correct something doable will help a student. Being positive and genuine is a sign of a great educator.

Teach students to self-check.

Although it feels good to have students come to you for guidance and encouragement, it feels even better to teach them independence. When you teach students to self-check, you give them the opportunity to develop their own learning. You can check to see if a word is a noun by asking yourself, “Does it complete the phrase ‘the ______’?” You can check to see if you subtracted correctly by doing backwards addition. A student can learn important mistakes that were made while writing a practice test by checking the answers with a key. Feedback is most effective if it is specific and instant (or as soon as possible). It is also powerful if it comes from within. Empower students by giving them the ability to understand and shape their own learning.

Showcase their achievements.

Students love to be recognized. Putting work up on the fridge is a way to say, “Good job.” The more students feel their work is noticed by others, the better they feel about their accomplishments. Posting work on a bulletin board allows others to see their work. Spreading the news about your students gives them a sense of community. Giving the chance to teach someone else gives them a sense of worth. Think of the student’s work being like a seed. When it is done in a scribbler and hidden inside a desk, it won’t grow. Letting their work be out in the eyes of people who support and believe in a student will help it grow into something amazing. When working with students, give them the opportunity to be great.

By: Darren Michalczuk