For Parents

Reflection Questions

please consider these throughout the length of the study

  1. How do the gradebook notifications and gradebook access impact you? your student?
  2. What is it like for you to get a grade notification or view the gradebook during the day?
  3. How are your interactions with your student regarding grades? Is there a difference between digital interactions versus face-to-face?
  4. How many times do you check the gradebook daily? Do you have mobile notifications and/or email notifications?
  5. What would your school experience have been like if these technologies and levels of access were available to you as well as your parent(s)/guardian(s) when you were a student?
  6. What is the right balance between support and engagement versus student autonomy and self-advocacy?

Gradebook Challenge

During this four week study, we encourage you to take part in the following gradebook challenge with your student.

Challenge One: Have a discussion with your student about his or her overall past experience with the gradebook during the school day: student-to-self (personal), student-to-student (peer to peer), student-to-parent, and general observations.

Challenge Two: During the first week of the study, commit to a digital detox together such as more face-to-face than text communications, technology-free times, and no gradebook access for the first week until the weekend when it is done together.

Challenge Three: Determine a mutual understanding of how to best support each other's needs surrounding the gradebook: number of times it is checked, mobile notifications, email notifications, how to communicate concerns, mutually agreed upon parameters, etc.

Challenge Four: Work with your student on a time that he or she will sit down with you to show you their grades and discuss what is in the gradebook.

Challenge Five: Have weekly conversations during the four weeks about any noticeable differences in focus, stress, and relationships during this time in relation to the gradebook access.

Challenge Six: At the end of the study, help your child create and commit to a plan of action for how to effectively use gradebook access to maximize learning.