Creating Meaningful Learning Through Student Voice and Goal-Setting
In National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2018), a few main components discussed were the way motivation increases when students have clear, attainable goals that challenge them while still feeling feasible. Students are more engaged when instruction connects to their personal lives, experiences, cultures, and identities because it helps them feel included and appreciated. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2018), discusses how providing intervention and ongoing support enhances both short and long-term motivation by helping students feel able and successful. This connects to the ISTE Standards for Students (2024) Empowered Learner standard, which encourages students to utilize technology to set goals, reflect, and connect their strengths and interests to their learning. In Gura (2020), educators support motivation by helping students build research, organization, and creative project skills that lead to purposeful and professional high-quality work. These strategies help students stay focused, confident and engaged through the creative process. Rivero (2020) emphasizes the app Buncee, which supports student motivation by allowing learners to create personalized multimedia projects that encourage self-expression, creativity, and goal-focused learning.
References:
Gura, M. (2020). Fostering student creativity. In EdTech Digest: The state of the arts, creativity, and technology 2020: A guide for educators and parents (p. 7).
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2018). How people learn II: Learners, contexts, and cultures. The National Academies Press
Rivero, V. (2020). A whole new class of art. In EdTech Digest: The state of the arts, creativity, and technology 2020: A guide for educators and parents (pp. 12–20).
International Society for Technology in Education. (2024). ISTE standards for educators. ISTE
Hi Kaylynn, I really enjoyed reading your post and taking in the information on your infographic. I think you are spot on with how these applications are connected to students becoming empowered learners. You clearly showed how the presence of goals, the value of culture and identity, and the amplification of student voice are vital to promote student empowerment. Great job!
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right, connecting instruction to students' lives and cultures is key to motivation. When students see themselves in the curriculum, engagement follows naturally. Your point about clear, attainable goals also stood out to me. Students need to feel challenged but not overwhelmed, and ongoing support makes all the difference in keeping that balance. The connection to the ISTE Empowered Learner standard is a great addition too. When students use technology to set goals and reflect on their progress, they take more ownership of their learning, which is exactly what we want.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on your infographic and post. You did a great job showing why motivation matters in learning and how the chapter’s ideas relate to student engagement. The focus on connecting lessons to students’ own experiences and identities is really important for making learning more meaningful and engaging. The ISTE Empowered Learner standard is great for this scenario, since goal-setting and self-reflection will help students take charge of their learning. Using Buncee as a creative tool shows how technology can help with motivation and self-expression. Your infographic looks great, is well-organized, and explains the main ideas clearly. Nice work!
ReplyDeleteGetting students motivated is one of the hardest tasks sometimes. I sometimes feel like my classes are motivated from the start and sometimes I find it takes a lot of work and connection with the students. Creating those goals that are doable but challenging has been one of the best ways I have seen to get students motivated. Sometimes you really have to bribe them into that meeting that first goal but once they have met a goal they are more self motivated to keep reaching those goals.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post and agree that motivation is strengthened when students see personal relevance in their learning. Your connection between goal setting, student identity, and the ISTE Empowered Learner standard highlights how important it is for students to take ownership of their educational experiences. When learners can connect classroom activities to their interests and future goals, they are often more willing to invest effort and persist through challenges.
ReplyDeleteI also appreciate your discussion of Buncee as a tool for supporting motivation. Allowing students to express themselves through multimedia projects can increase engagement because it gives them opportunities to showcase their creativity while demonstrating their understanding. This aligns well with Gura's emphasis on creative learning environments that encourage student voice and choice.
Another aspect that stood out to me from How People Learn II is the importance of building students' confidence through meaningful feedback and support. When technology tools are paired with clear expectations and opportunities for reflection, students can better monitor their progress and recognize their growth. This not only supports motivation in the short term but also helps develop lifelong learning skills that students can apply beyond the classroom.