At this time, I am leaning towards the use of online, differentiated homework--online programs that target student learning, move at a student's level of achievement, provide quick response and send data reports to the teacher (and potentially students/family) that inform future learning targets and endeavor.
Online skill tools and endeavor are increasingly more targeted, personalized and engaging.
What would this look like in the day-to-day life of a classroom?
Students would receive a weekly home study menu. They would also receive recommendations about at-home work including independent reading, skill work and enrichment opportunities. Students, families and teachers through coaching sessions (my replacement idea for conferences) would discuss a child's home study diet, and then students would engage in that work. Teachers would assess the work through online reports and student-family-teacher conversation.
I like this model for the following reasons:
- It would provide homework that is better targeted and potentially "just right."
- This kind of work would not lead to as much need for parent intervention or struggle.
- The results would inform students, family members and teachers of challenge and growth on a timely basis, and inform instruction/programming.
- The use of a menu approach and coaching meetings would help to build student/family investment.
- This is one way to move us to new and innovative ed tools and techniques.
Are you employing a homework menu program similar to this? If so, how is it similar, and how is it different than this initial model idea? Your thoughts will help as I explore this method with greater technique.
Current Tools Used in This Regard
Sum Dog
Xtra Math
That Quiz (I set levels for this)
