Students Make for JAMazing Teachers!

It was the best 45 minutes of my day on a Friday after a long week! It was a Student Focus Group comprised of two students from each grade level along with a few adults. We just sat around the table talking and there was this positive chatter and energy that I really cannot describe - you'd have to experience it yourself to truly understand the impact. Students were randomly selected; they didn't have to be the top students nor struggling learners - just students who would be open, honest, and willing to share all things JAMS. And so they did...politely of course! As two students would begin to speak at the same time, one would graciously offer the other a chance to begin first. The mutual respect and understanding these students demonstrated toward one another was commendable, especially given the fact that none of the students knew their upper or lower grade level counterpart. It was clear from the start that the commonality each shared was a love for learning and excitement toward our school!

Because of our 1:1 device initiative this year, it didn't take long before the pros and cons of this new type of learning entered the discussion. I wasn't surprised by many of the positive comments students relayed in response to how the added technology assisted with organization, research, resources, etc. However, my heart sank a bit when unanimously, students mentioned how they missed being able to interact more with other students as well as their own teachers. For example, one student noted that although they are encouraged to share documents and collaborate on that document with other students from the same class, they could be sitting right next to each other and never talk. In addition, another student mentioned how videos are incorporated into instruction now and although in many cases this helps reinforce the concept or skill being taught, it works as a deficit when it replaces the instruction from the teacher. 

I learned so much from students during this one class period. They love technology but they love other things too: spending time with their classmates and teacher(s), interacting in meaningful ways outside of something technology-based, and getting their hands dirty (specifically with science labs) are just a few items mentioned by this group. As I sat there hanging on their every word, I thought so much of this is just common sense but could it be in our effort to infuse technology to enhance instruction we may have lost sight of building relationships, communication and community-building?

Another fruitful facet of our conversation had to do with choice. Students mentioned that although choice was almost always included within assignments, the choices are not always of interest to them. For example, one student recalled a recent assignment where three historians were provided as topic options. The student had an inclination toward a fourth historian of whom wasn't an option. When I asked if the student brought it up to the teacher to see if it could be an option, the student said it was just easier to go with the options presented but that she really wasn't into it as a result.

After the discussion ended and the students went back to class, the adults in the room reflected. We all agreed that the information received was eye opening; it would help in providing our educators the information necessary to tweak instruction. It would also help in goal setting and professional development opportunities but more importantly, it would help our kids get what they deserve - experiential learning opportunities that incorporate creativity, collaboration, communication and community-building. Remember, it is clear our kids already love learning and share an excitement toward our school - in spite of some of the minor glitches each may have noted. Imagine we tweak things every so slightly based on the information they provided during the focus group. Imagine what THAT would look like?? I can't wait to see it all unfold and am forever grateful for the honesty, openness, and willingness of these students to share things of which I know will make a difference!