Monday, May 7, 2007
Self-Recording
Self-recording is “data collection on one’s own behavior (also called self-observation, self-evaluation, or self-monitoring)". I engage in self-recording more than I realized! One strategy I use is checking off tasks from my “to-do” list. Although the task may not be difficult, just the idea of accomplishing something is rewarding. My dilemma is how to get students to want or strive for that feeling of accomplishment and eventually use that feeling as a reinforcement. This is probably a task that will take more than just one school year. When asked to complete an assignment or task, I usually get “I don’t know”, “I don’t know how”, or “I can’t do it”. How can I use self-recording to motivate students? And how do you teach students the importance of being honest to his/herself when conducting self-evaluations?
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2 comments:
I think that this is where task analysis comes in. If students have a list of tasks that they can check off as they complete each one, then maybe they will learn that there is satisfaction in the simple completion of a task. As far as honesty, I think that from the beginning of the year, we must cultivate a culture of honesty. The students in my room are always applauded for their honesty even if they are fessing up to something that violates our classroom rules.
The best way to circumvent student dishonesty when self recording is to be very stringent during that important period when they are beginning self-recording and being checked and double checked by their teacher or aide. Obviously we are still quite aware of behavior and can let the student know we will occasionally always be checking for "accuracy." Some very literal kids (especially kids with autism) will have the opposite problem and tend to under-credit themselves, so it is important to check on them too. To me the more we can instill in a child that s/he is not just locked into a system but doing well has personal benefits, the more likely kids will record honestly. This makes me think of the reason I never wanted to cheat in school. I always saw a test as a way to self-assess and see what I really knew not as another "hoop" to jump through in a system. The more we place personal value on what we are doing for these kids the better.
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