As educators, sometimes creating change in our classrooms requires a step back from our day to day tasks. Personal experiences and insights can reshape our understanding of education, and can transform our practice in unexpected ways.
I had a recent conversation with a teacher about student reflection and portfolios brought on by the Ministry of Education’s new reporting structure. Her school already had a loosely implemented digital portfolio system in place, though she admitted she was still slow to adopt it herself with her students.
Time Travel Wishes 🕰️
Away from her own classroom, she is a mother with a child in high school. Her teenager has been doing a good amount of reflection in some of their classes. As her teen shared more of their learning from their own perspective, this teacher began to realize just how much she enjoyed seeing their thoughts about their learning as a parent. With this new appreciation, she thought back to her child’s learning experiences in elementary school. How amazing would it have been if she had a collection of her child’s reflections dating all the way back to Kindergarten?
Of course, there are always the scrapbook pieces of art that she will cherish, but she admits that a lot of the “clutter” ends up in the recycling. Digital portfolios do a great job capturing their voice about their in-class experiences; and journal entries celebrate accomplishments and add value to the finished products. She told me, “Obviously, I can’t go back in time and ask any of this from my child’s previous teachers.”
A Gift to Parents 💝
Our conversation led to ways that she can help offer this opportunity to the parents of her students. With a new perspective, she began to see digital portfolios not only as the valuable tool they are for students to document and take ownership of their own learning — she also saw them as a gift to parents.
A Good Way to Start? Templates! 🎆
To help her get started with student reflection and self-assessment, I provided her with some Seesaw templates. This allowed her to focus on the teaching and not the technical details that she feared would slow her down.
This story reminds us that changes in our professional lives can be brought on not only by big changes (like those from the Ministry), but also from personal experiences away from the classroom.
Silly and Sweet 🤪 🥰
Speaking of reflection, sometimes reflecting on yourself (literally, in the mirror) can seem silly… and sometimes it can be so sweet. Take your pick!