In the pursuit of quality education, teachers and parents alike will often check to see that a student understands the material. However, this does not always indicate whether or not a student can apply the knowledge outside of the classroom. While it’s easy to see if a student has completed their homework assignments and test, it can be more difficult to determine how much effort they put into their work. In order to keep students moving in the right direction when it comes to their academic progress, it’s important that teachers foster a culture of sustained effort in school. Without such guidance, students may lose interest in their studies quickly and struggle with keeping up with new lessons outside of school. That being said, here are six ways you can help guide your students to sustain effort in school.
Have frequent, short check-ins with students.
Throughout the school year, you can have short check-ins with students to get a better sense of how they’re feeling about their studies. This can include one-on-one check-ins, small group discussions, or surveys completed by the whole class. One survey that’s become increasingly popular in recent years is the “Sustained Interest and Self-Regulation” survey, or SISRG survey. The SISRG is designed to help teachers gain a better understanding of how a student is feeling about their studies. When used as a check-in, the SISRG can provide teachers with helpful data on their students’ motivations and attitudes towards school. The SISRG can provide insight into which types of assignments and study habits are most effective for a student.
Hold regular study sessions with your class.
Teachers can also start regular study sessions, or study groups, with their classes. These can be helpful in a number of ways, including boosting each student’s self-efficacy. Holding study sessions can help to create a support network between students and their classmates. In turn, this can help students feel more accountable for their own progress. Since students will be studying together, they may be more inclined to ask for help when they get stuck on a particular concept or assignment. Holding study sessions can also provide teachers with better insight into how students are progressing with their assignments.
Develop a rubric together as a class.
Teachers can also help students develop a rubric for successful sustained effort in school. This can be helpful for setting small benchmarks for student progress. By developing a rubric together as a class, students can be more invested in the system of checks and balances that determine their academic progress.
Set small benchmarks for student progress.
For students who are having trouble managing their time and progress, teachers can set small benchmarks for sustained effort in school. These benchmarks can be designed to help a student focus on the small, incremental steps they need to take in order to reach their larger goals. Holding regular study sessions with your class can also help to keep students accountable for their progress.
Celebrate achievements no matter how small.
When students are struggling to achieve the academic milestones that are expected of them, it can be difficult to celebrate the small achievements that are often overlooked. By celebrating achievements no matter how small, teachers can help students to stay engaged in their studies. By celebrating achievements, teachers can also help their students to feel more confident about their abilities moving forward.
Don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
Finally, when all else fails, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Whether it be from your school’s administration or from a professional organization like the National Education Association, there are plenty of people who can help.
Hopefully, these tips will help you to guide your students to sustain effort in school. When students are able to sustain effort in school, they’re more likely to finish their courses with better grades. And when they have better grades, they’re more likely to graduate and find a job in their chosen field.
https://www.edutopia.org/article/guiding-students-sustain-effort-school
