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.
6 Comments
Marisabel Olguin
1/26/2018 06:16:46 pm
I can understand how using the Chromebooks in the classroom at this grade level can be challenging especially if you don't have 1:1 ratio. It sounds like the combo class has lead to competency-based education organically and that eventually you will be able to add in the technology piece.
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Rian
1/28/2018 11:33:22 am
I love the way you have set up your classroom! I am sure that it was a great amount of work for you in the beginning, but it seems that you have taught agency relatively painlessly. I would like to hear more about your experiences with Google classroom, as there is a push to use that in middle school and I am unfamiliar with the format.
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Scott Marsden
1/28/2018 02:36:47 pm
I love the emphasis you are placing on student voice and choice and agency. I too think we need to emphasize these more in education, along with creativity. I agree it is challenging to fully integrate technology when you are not 1:1. Maybe you can find a way to get grant funding for additional Chromebooks so you can have a class set. I've started using Google Classroom this year and can share some tips with the class if people are interested.
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Amanda Olson
1/28/2018 05:25:08 pm
I truly love how you use so much goal-setting, voice and choice, as well as, growth mindset in your classroom. It really is inspiring, and I hope to become more comfortable with implementing and adapting all of this in my Kindergarten classroom. I don't want to use the fact that I teach Kindergarten as an excuse to not use certain things, thinking that my five year old kiddos are not ready for whatever it may be. They consistently surprise me, and the higher your goals for them, the higher they strive and the more they achieve. I agree that not being 1:1 makes it difficult to implement the technology-driven competency based learning strategies that are exemplified in this article. It makes me want to look further into grants/other funding possibilities to see if we can personally make our classrooms 1:1. I have used Donor's Choose before, and am contemplating using it again to get more devices for my classroom.
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1/29/2018 09:25:10 pm
Kayla, I am happy to hear that you are now giving your students a little more choice during language arts class. I think that this first half of the year, you were developing your class culture and students were learning your expectations. I can truly say that your students are acquiring that agency. Like you, I am also curious to learn more about technology and how to use it more to our advantage in the classroom.
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Heather
1/30/2018 07:28:12 pm
I love that you have your students goals. I'm always blown away how tech savvy our primary students are. I bet they'll love using more technology in the classroom.
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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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