While reading Katie Varrata’s “Teaching in a Competency-Based Education Environment” and considering how educational technology supports competency-based learning, I reflected on the learning actions that occur in my own second and third grade classroom. Because I teach a combo class, rotations and small group teaching and learning are large parts of my students’ school days. The new district adopted curricula for language arts and mathematics also support small group teaching and learning. I have found small group learning to be the most effective way to teach students, and for them to have valuable learning experiences in the classroom.
Student Agency In my classroom this year I have been particularly focused on student agency, and I am happy to hear that this is an important component of a competency-based education. My students set goals for themselves and work toward achieving them. All students self-select goals and they are vary greatly from student to student. This sets students up for success in a classroom where the education is personalized. Voice and Choice Just this month, I have implemented student choice during language arts rotations. For the first half of the year they students had a schedule that told them exactly what to work on during each of their rotations each day. I have since modified this to allow students to choose when they are going to complete the required work, and I check in with them on Friday to see if they were able to self select and pace their work appropriately. Student choice increases agency and engagement in learning activities. Technology At this point in my classroom, I don't feel that I have successfully been able to connect student agency and technology in my classroom. I tried having students set their goals on google classroom once- but it ended up being a bit confusing for both myself and for them, and it wasn’t convenient given the number of Chromebooks we have access to on a daily basis. During our language arts rotations, students are able to use the Chromebooks to publish some of their work on Seesaw in a blog format, or on Google Docs to share with me. Occasionally we will also use Google Slides to work on a project. Since students in my classroom are working through these rotations independently, I suppose there is a hint of competency-based learning going on here, but I am hoping that through the course of this newly begun semester that I would be able to feel confident about using technology with my students in order to create an environment in which everyone learns at their own level and pace.
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AuthorKayla Bryant is an elementary school teacher in Napa, CA. This year she teaches a 2/3 combo class. She keeps a journal with funny quotes from her students, and enjoys learning and laughing alongside them. Some of her main educational interests are related to goal setting, growth mindset, and creativity. Archives
July 2018
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