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Student-Centered Learning with Symbaloo

I’m trying something totally new for my next unit. I’m going let the entire 2-3 week unit be 100% student-led. The tool that I’m going to be using to drive the learning is Symbaloo.

I’m a firm believer in trying to build a little hype and excitement before I try something new with my classes.  Last week I explained to my students that I was going to take everything that they know about learning and turn it upside-down.  They all looked at me like I was nuts, but they all seemed eager to try something new.  As a science teacher we do a lot of student-centered activities, but I have never attempted to do an entire unit this way.

I introduced this concept today with a quick Haiku Deck that I made.  I set the expectations that this was going to be independent work and that they were going to be learning things on their own with minimal intervention from me.

I then showed them their Symbaloo or home base as we are calling it.  From here they are going to be running through a series of activities.  Some of the activities included will be

  • Journal foldables
  • Research
  • Videos
  • Readings
  • Writings
  • Mini-projects
  • Assessments
  • Labs
  • Manipulatives
  • Web 2.0 creations

I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t totally scared to do this with some of my more reluctant classes.  However, today was one of the best days that we have had regards to learning throughout the entire year.  I can assure you that the 7 students pictured below have never been caught on camera totally on task at the same time.  Today was something special.  I realize that we’re just on Day 1 of a 2 week unit, but I’m feeling comfortable about the way we started.

  

I am updating the Symbaloo a couple of days ahead of the students because I didn’t want to get ahead of myself if the entire project was a failure today.

A couple of takeaways from today:

  • I was validated that I have indeed been holding the faster learners back and going too fast for the learners that need a bit of extra time to complete tasks.  Having the students drive their own learning solves both of those issues.  I even had one student tell me, “I like doing it this way.  The reason I get in trouble most of the time is because I get bored.”  That comment wasn’t solicited by me either.  He came up with that on his own.
  • The interventionist that works with some of my students got to work with students at a more realistic pace.
  • There were far more students on task than when I’m driving the learning.
  • Students notes were far superior than if I had given them what to write in their journals.
  • Learning seemed to be happening at a deeper level.
  • Students are already working at a different pace.  Some are 3 assignments ahead of others.  I’ve got a neat PBL project for those students that finish early.

Day 2 reflections are up now.  I realize that this is day one, but I came away from today very pleased with the results.

Also, check out student survey responses to their symbaloo unit.

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