Marissa Brown - Personalized Learning Portfolio - Standard 3: Asset-Based Dispositions

Asset-based disposition would be important in a personalized classroom because it gives students a sense of pride. It showcases what they are skilled in versus the traditional view of what they are "lacking". It boosts the confidence of students. These assets could include; culture, disabilities, languages, immigration status, socio-economic status, gender identification, and various other characteristics that make the student who they are and highlight them in a positive way. “Strengths-based education begins with educators discovering what they do best and developing and applying their strengths as they help students identify and apply their strengths in the learning process so that they can reach previously unattained levels of personal excellence.” (Lopez & Louis, 2009). Asset-based disposition allows students to learn in a meaningful and purposeful way.

As educators, we must find ways to showcase our student's strengths. We must remember and embrace the uniqueness of each student and the diversity within the classroom. By embracing all the things students are successful at rather than highlighting what students need to "improve on" or have "deficits" in we propel our students into a mindset where they believe in themselves. Focusing on asset-based thinking promotes engagement and helps with behavior management within the classroom. " An asset-based approach focuses on building relationships with and an understanding of students rather than punishing them with detentions, suspensions, and expulsions." (An Asset-Based Approach to Education: What It Is and Why It Matters - NYU Steinhardt Teacher Residency Program, 2022).

Digital Portfolios

Digital portfolios are a great way for both students and teachers to evaluate student growth over a period of time. These portfolios emphasize work that students feel best demonstrates their learning or mastery. By students choosing the pieces to incorporate they are honing in on their strengths and interest. According to The Power of Digital Portfolios for Students, (2022) "the same students that feel limited by traditional assessments can shine when given the opportunity to use photo, video, collage, audio recording, and more.". Teachers are able to see each students strengths and be able to reflect with them on their growth. This allows helps teachers and students identify the next steps in their learning and instruction. Students can create portfolios using; Kidblog, Edublog, VoiceThread, Weebly, Google Sites, WordPress, EverNotes, Easy Portfolios, and Wikispaces.

Personalized Learning Plan Template

Personalized Learning Plans

In the beginning of the school year as you're getting to know your students implementing a personalized learning plan is beneficial. It allows you and the students to reflect on their progress. In addition, as seen in the google doc above students share their strengths and areas they'd like to improve on. They can create smart goals around their strengths and areas of needed growth. This approach is student centered and requires students to think about themselves in a deeper way. Students in addition to determining their strengths and areas of improvement list their interest and can always modify their responses as time goes by. According to Paterson, (2022) asset based disposition is " a learner-centered approach to teaching that helps students identify, articulate and apply their individual skills relevant to their learning needs", having students complete personalized learning plans reach those goals.

Flexible Learning/Choice Boards

Providing students with flexible learning experience or giving them choices in their learning that meet their strengths and personality is beneficial for students. This allows students to take ownership of their learning and students are more likely to engage with the content at a more meaningful level. Students will likely focus on learning opportunities that involve their interest and or strengths which is more engaging. Teachers should allow students to make suggestions on how they learn can even lead to them improving areas they identified as where they'd like to see growth. These choices or opportunities could include simulations, field work/research, collaborating with colleges or universities or even community members.

Student Personality Quiz

Another way to get to know your students better and for students to better understand themselves is by implementing the personality quiz. In my physical science classroom, we do a lot of collaborative and group assignments and projects. It's important students understand their personality and how that affects the learning/collaborative environment when working with others. Students can pick better partners - for example, an organized student likely should not work with someone who is identified as an unorganized student. For my personality quiz, I utilized one I found online. (True Colors Personality Test). During collaborative assignments or projects, students choose a group role and knowing their personality traits allows them to perfectly select a role that suits them best.

Multiple Intelligence Surveys

Multiple intelligence surveys are a way for students to identify their strengths in various areas of intelligence. This includes; linguistic "words”, logical-mathematical “number/reasoning”, visual-spatial “picture”, bodily-kinesthetic “movement of the body”, musical, interpersonal “people”, intrapersonal “self”, and naturalist "nature" (Nair, 2022). There are plenty of pre-made surveys out there for teachers and educators to utilize in the classroom. This is one way that teachers can help students identify their strengths so that when it comes down to academics students can apply their skills to collaborative or independent work. This allows teachers to better understand how their students learn as well which can better support them in the personalized learning process. Above you will see two sample surveys done by students in my class (Multiple Intelligences: Survey & Graphing Reflection, n.d.).

An Asset-Based Approach to Education: What It Is and Why It Matters - NYU Steinhardt Teacher Residency Program. (2022b, January 26). NYU Steinhardt Teacher Residency Program -. Retrieved September 28, 2022, from https://teachereducation.steinhardt.nyu.edu/an-asset-based-approach-to-education-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters/#:%7E:text=Take%20student%20discipline%20as%20an,detentions%2C%20suspensions%2C%20and%20expulsions.

Lopez, S. J., & Louis, M. C. (2009, April). The Principles of Strength-Based Education. Journal of College & Character, 10(4), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.2202/1940-1639.1041.

Multiple Intelligences: Survey & Graphing Reflection. (n.d.). Teachers Pay Teachers. Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiple-Intelligences-Survey-Graphing-Reflection-6992739

Nair, M. (2022, July 18). Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom for Teaching and Learning. University of the People. Retrieved September 28, 2022, from https://www.uopeople.edu/blog/what-is-the-multiple-intelligences-theory/

Paterson, J. (2022, June 9). New Focus on Strength-Based Learning | NEA. Retrieved September 29, 2022, from https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/new-focus-strength-based-learning#:%7E:text=%E2%80%9CStrengths%2Dbased%20education%20is%20a,relevant%20to%20their%20learning%20needs.

The Power of Digital Portfolios for Students. (2022, August 31). School & District -Subscriptions | Seesaw. Retrieved September 29, 2022, from https://web.seesaw.me/blog/power-of-digital-portfolios-for-students

True Colors Personality Test. Retrieved September 29th, 2022, from https://microsite-sws-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/media/editor/24/TrueColorsPersonalityTestfreebie.pdf