Do Educators Model Self-Assessment?

Are we are reflecting enough on our practice? If so, what else can we do to model our reflection practices? Everyone needs time for reflection (teachers, students, admin) by writing and reflection on what is being learned.

As educators, this can be something we model. We do self-assess informally - talk with our PLN about strategies, evaluate how a lesson went, replay scenarios in our heads... and then use that reflection to plan our next lessons and units. We do this on a regular basis as it has become part of our own learning environment.

However, do we model enough to our students? Do our students see it? Do we make our reflections public? If we want students to be able to reflect and self-evaluate - and see why it is an important process - we need to demonstrate how it is critical to our practice. 

Self-assessment shouldn't just be at the end, but done many times throughout the entire process to help us stay engaged and on track.

Examples of technologies that promote self-assessment and reflection include:

• Blogs -get your thoughts down on virtual paper and reflect publicly on what went right, and what went wrong

• Online discussions - seek input on said blog, and respond to comments. Show thinking when in discussion with someone from your PLN

• File sharing – work with another colleague on a lesson or unit-explains your thinking

• Google Forms – do a post survey with your audience on what worked and what didn't work? Seek out feedback and allow them to see you take it in to consideration to guide you for your next steps

• Google Sheets - lets you look at things in a pro vs. con, yes vs no, right vs. wrong perspective

•Portfolios - Portfolios are a great way to share this knowledge and will actually develop one’s own understanding of what they know

At the end of each term, I always take the time to work through with my staff on the SIP and re-examine the goals. It is important to assess and reflect on our quantitative and qualitative data as we move into the second phase of the school year both as a school team and individually. This gives us feedback on how our progress, how are we learning together, and what we need to do to move forward.