Student Learning

 Another area of reflection for educators is student learning. What are students learning, and how do we know what they’re learning? Teachers develop a system to reflect on what your students are learning. When you design a lesson, you include an essential question, objective, and assessment. During the actual teaching, how do you determine what the student truly understands?

Throughout a lesson, are you asking questions that require critical thinking? Are questions open-ended or closed-ended? Are you allowing time for student discourse? What do you hear from your students during their discussions? Can students explain in their own words their thought process? What are you observing during the students’ independent practice? Does your lesson meet the various learning styles of your students, or is it a one size fits all?

Principals, when you visit classrooms, what are you observing? During your time in classes, how long do you stay to view what’s taking place genuinely? It’s great to take notes, gather evidence, and be silent; however, it’s okay to ask children to explain what they are learning. Ask strategic questions of the students. Afterward, share the evidence and notes with the teacher. Then you can both reflect on the next steps.