Embedded Files
ACTIVATE:
The ability to successfully deconstruct an academic task is a crucial skill that students need to practice to be successful, independent learners. Careful deconstruction of an academic task helps students identify each element of the task so that each can be addressed when creating the final product.
PREPARATION:
To aid in the development of academic tasks, educators should refer to the suggested tips in Educator Resource above, Tips for Developing an Academic Task and the provided template in Educator Resource: Developing an Academic Task Template.
Determine the academic tasks that students will be deconstructing.
STEPS:
PROVIDE TASK: Provide students with the academic task.
HAVE STUDENTS READ THROUGH & ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT AN ACADEMIC TASK: In small groups, instruct students to read through a selected academic task and use Educator Resource: Critical Questions to Ask About an Academic Task to answer the important questions about the selected academic task.
STUDENTS PAIR AND SHARE ANSWERS: Instruct student groups to pair up with another group and present their answers to the critical questions.
GROUPS PROVIDE FEEDBACK: Groups will provide each other with constructive feedback.
DEBRIEF: Debrief by having some groups share their responses to the critical questions with the whole class and asking students to reflect on why this process is useful.
VARIATIONS:
This can be done individually, but at first, it is likely to be more successful in small groups.
Model this process as necessary when it is “new” to students.
Include academic tasks from a variety of sources (e.g., high-stakes assessment released questions, performance tasks, AP released test items, college syllabi).
EXTENSION:
To add rigor to this activity, have students create their own academic
task for one of their classmates to deconstruct.
Page updated
Report abuse