Blog Reflection # 3

What are the reasons for giving students choices in their learning?

We have the ability to choose what we want to do because as humans we have inherited the freedom to make these decisions. These decisions can be as simple as what color shirt am I going to wear today? Choice is important, so why would we not allow our students to choose a learning style that works best for them? It's silly to think that we can reach all of our students delivering the same method of instruction to all students. Differentiating instruction allows for teachers to adjust instructional approaches so that each individual and diverse learners needs are met. Choice is defined as a strategy for differentiating instruction to meet all learners. It's important to give students choices in their learning because choices can increase student engagement, research has proven the effectiveness of choice, and it provides students with the critical thinking skills needed in order to be successful in the future. 

Creating a "choice" environment for learning

Teachers should keep the Seven Spaces of Learning by Ewan McIntosh in mind when creating a choice environment for learners. 

Seven Spaces of Learning:

 

"Students should be given choices and the ability to question, build, invest, connect, have meaning, learn, and excel in ways that promote an environment where learning flourishes. It is possible to build on solid research-based best practices and to learn from classrooms and teachers already leading the way globally, to have a classroom utilizing these concepts and have student confidence and achievement rate." -Davis, Vickye and Lindsay, Julie

Lindsay, J., & Davis, V. A. (2013). Flattening classrooms, engaging minds: Move to global collaboration one step at a time . Boston: Pearson.