The term “student voice” refers to the input and perspectives of students, and describes how their voices and actions affect what happens in the classroom. Through developing their own questions, seeking out their interests, and driving their own learning, students become more involved in their education. With this involvement comes empowerment, as students are able to use their knowledge to contribute to the greater community.
1. Inclusion
When students feel that they matter and are included in the classroom community, they are much more likely to open up and share their perspectives.
2. Integration
Begin to integrate student voice into your daily lessons by creating more opportunities for students to contribute. This can come in the form of whole classroom discussion, small group activities, input on writing activities, and more
At the transformational level, teachers can draw on student input to shape curricular goals for the class.
Student empowerment enables students to use their knowledge to contribute to the classroom and greater outside community. When students feel comfortable sharing their voices, they grow into positions of leadership.
Resources
Encourage student voice in your classroom and school community with some of these helpful resources:
Student Voice: Student Voice has toolkit filled with classroom resources, student voice stories, and more that will allow you to transform your classroom into one where students can thrive.
Edutopia: Check out some of these great articles and resources for highlighting student voice in your classroom.
Students at the Center: Motivation, engagement, and student voice activities.
MindShift KQED: From student voices, learn what students say about being trusted partners in learning.
The chart below indicates the numbers from our most recent survey and the numbers from the survey and data gathered in 2003. Respondents only provided numbers to the methods that they have used. It is interesting to note that in six of the areas, the time estimates actually increased. Note: NA is listed in some of the responses for 2003 because these are new questions in 2009.
Whether the feedback was in the observable effects or from other people, in every case the information received was not advice, nor was the performance evaluated. No one told
me as a performer what to do differently or how "good" or "bad" my results were. (You might think that the reader of my writing was judging my
work, but look at the words used again: She simply played back the effect my writing had on her as a reader.) Nor did any of the three people tell me what to do (which is what many
people erroneously think feedback is—advice). Guidance would be premature; I first need to receive feedback on what I did or didn't do that would warrant such
advice.
Decades of education research support the idea that by teaching less and providing more feedback, we can
produce greater learning (see Bransford, Brown, & Cocking, 2000; Hattie, 2008; Marzano, Pickering, & Pollock, 2001).
remember that feedback does not need to come only from the teacher, or even from people at all. Technology is one powerful
tool—part
of the power of computer-assisted learning is unlimited, timely feedback and opportunities to use it.
learners are often unclear about the specific goal of a task or lesson, so it is crucial to remind them about the goal and the criteria by which they should self-assess
I recommend that all teachers videotape their own classes at least once
a month. It was a transformative experience for me when I did it as a beginning teacher.
research shows that less teaching plus more
feedback is the key to achieving greater learning.
Even if feedback is specific and accurate in the eyes of experts or bystanders, it is not of much value if the user cannot understand it or is overwhelmed by it.
Adjusting our performance depends on not only receiving feedback but also having opportunities to use it.
Clearly, performers can only adjust their performance successfully if the information fed back to them is stable, accurate, and
trustworthy. In education, that means teachers have to be on the same page about what high-quality work is. Teachers need to look at student work together, becoming more
consistent over time and formalizing their judgments in highly descriptive rubrics supported by anchor products and performances.
Score student work in the fall and winter against spring standards, use more pre-and post-assessments to
measure progress toward these standards, and do the item analysis to note what each student needs to work on for better future performance.
Effective supervisors and coaches
work hard to carefully observe and comment on what they observed, based on a clear statement of goals. That's why I always ask when visiting a class, "What
would you like me to look for and perhaps count?"
. Less teaching, more feedback. Less feedback that comes only from you, and more tangible feedback designed into the performance itself.
how we are doing in our efforts to reach a goal.
get another opportunity to receive and learn from the feedback.
computer games
quickly adapt
ack, do you have some ideas about how to improve?" This approach will
build greater autono
ck, do you have some ideas about how to improve?" This approach will
build greater autono
Wiggins
Advice, evaluation, grades-none of these provide the descriptive information that students need to reach their goals. What is true feedback-and how can it improve learning?
Who would dispute the idea that feedback is a good thing? Both common sense and research make it clear: Formative assessment, consisting of lots of feedback and opportunities to use that feedback, enhances performance and achievement.
Yet even John Hattie (2008), whose decades of research revealed that feedback was among the most powerful influences on achievement, acknowledges that he has "struggled to understand the concept" (p. 173). And many writings on the subject don't even attempt to define the term. To improve formative assessment practices among both teachers and assessment designers, we need to look more closely at just what feedback is-and isn't.
Consider a degree or certificate program in instructional
design or educational technology. This
isn’t a requirement to career success, but may give you the kick-start and the inspiration
you need if you’re just getting started, or want to gain deeper expertise.
PDF booklet on technology that includes topics such as Universal Design for Learning, Reading, Writing, Science, Virtual Worlds, and Assistive Technology. Free to share.
Thank you! I have heard about marzano...but with school starting and life is busy again....this puts his strategies in an easy to digest format!! Cheers,