“Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives - choice, not chance, determines your destiny.”
Hattie's Visible Learning and Self-Reported Grades
As we think about helping our students choose the path that leads to excellence we, as educators, are looking for what will make the biggest impact. In Hattie’s research (John Hattie’s Visible Learning for teachers (Hattie 2012; 251ff)) on Visible Learning, student self-reported grades had the highest influence. That is when students are reflecting on what they have learned so far and reporting what their expectation is for how they will perform on the assessment. The MAJOR effect comes when the teacher then pushes the learner to exceed those expectations. This is where the teacher can make an impact.
Stiggin's and Goal Settings
Let’s also consider Rick Stiggins work on Assessment FOR Learning. He speaks of 7 strategies to improve classroom assessment. His seventh strategy is to engage students in self-reflecting and goal setting. Some of his ideas to help with this are:
When you are planning your daily lessons have a process that students are familiar with when reflecting and goal setting. Then students will not be worrying about if they are filling the form/graph out correctly. Instead, the students will be more focused on the reflection of where they are at and setting a goal for where they think they will be. As teachers we have students reflect and set goals. But, how often do you go back and help push the students to exceed beyond the goals that they set for themselves? Do you make it YOUR goal to help the students blow their goal out of the water? What is YOUR ROLE when students are setting goals? Then comes the important part! You will need to set up a process to help engage the learner to go beyond that goal.
“To infinity … and Beyond.”
Stiggins, R.J., Portland, Oregon: ETS Assessment Training Institute-www.ets.org/ati
Hattie Ranking: Influences and Effect Sizes Related to Student Achievement
Goal Setting Lesson "Be Sure To" Strategy
Post by: Christy Harris | Lewis Instructional Coach
This will be a resource built by the staff for the staff to encourage integration of 21st century skills into every student's learning.