Knowing Your Students

Getting student data can be a useful piece of information when planning your classroom and instruction. The above examples show a first day survey. This begins building a community. Getting student data and learning from that data helps you, the teacher, get to know the students on a higher level. You’ll begin to understand what to expect from each student. Personal interest surveys may lead to curriculum adjustment because you may see, for example, who is ready for the class, who needs help, and who is in there just because they need to be.

In addition to student data, is the importance of learning the names of students in the classroom. This is not just important for the teacher, but the students as well. If the teacher gets to know the student, the student feels noticed. The barrier is broken down and they may feel they are no longer just a body there for the teacher to grade. In the class, the students will feel ok to confront the teacher with questions and comments as opposed to staying quiet because they are not known. Regarding the importance of the relationship, conversing with and knowing the student will help the teacher throughout the course of the semester/year by being able to pick up cues on how the student is feeling and acting. Curriculum can be adjusted and sometimes, the student just needs that pick me up being able to talk to someone.

The above "First Day Survey" displays the use of the SAMR model of technology. Instead of the basic use of pen and paper to poll everyone, students are augmenting the activity by using technology. In addition to the use of augmentation, modification is also present. Students are modifying the results by inputting their answers.