5 Simple Tools For Student Reflection

It's May! While we all (both teachers AND students) have our eyes on the finish line of the school year, it's important to remember that learning is about growth, improvement, and making progress. One of the best ways to take stock of how far we have come is to take a moment to reflect on where we've been, the journey up to this point, and where we are now. Thinking about setting up structures for students to effectively reflect can feel overwhelming. 

Here are 5 simple tools that you can use today, or whenever, to have your students reflect on their learning. These are intentionally not new.  I think our bandwidth for new tools is limited and it's nice to be reminded of what we currently have. It can be easy to get into a rut and just use the same things over and over. Consider this a slight nudge to get out of that rut. 

1. Google Docs For Individual Or Collaborative Reflection

Sometimes the best tool is the one right under our nose! Yes, students can use Google docs as a word processor to type their thoughts on the year. But they can also collaborate, comment, share, add images, links, and bookmarks to their documents. What if you had students create a doc at the start of next school year and then comment on their own statements at various points throughout? Sure, you could spend a bunch of time making a template for your students, but why not just go to docs.google.com and check out the various templates that are already there for you to use. 

2. Flipgrid For Individual or Collaborative Reflection

If you have not looked at Flipgrid in a minute, please take a look! They have expanded their features and streamlined their already easy to use dashboard. There is a microphone-only option if students don't want to be on camera. Students can respond to a prompt and it can be made private so only you can see it or you can set it so the class can view and you can also give them options for responding.  Peer feedback can be a powerful tool, especially at this time of year.

3. Pear Deck For Individual Reflection

So, you have a set of prompts and you would like your students to respond, Pear Deck is a great option. You can have them write text, answer in a drawing, drag and drop, connect the dots, pretty much anything you can think of. You can even link to videos or websites within Pear Deck so your students don't need 42 tabs open. (No judgement if this is you!) Pear Deck also has a new-ish reflect and review tool. If you haven't looked at Pear Deck in a while I highly suggest that you do. Our students report that Pear Deck is engaging and easy to use. 

4. Screencastify

It is hard to deny the power of video. Screencastify makes it easy for students to quickly create videos and since they automatically save to Google drive it is easier than ever to share. Plus, Screencastify now has features that allow you to embed questions (like Edpuzzle).  Remember that there is a built-in editor so you don't need a third party solution for basic editing. They have a great resource hub for educators if you are looking for inspiration. 

5. Padlet For Group Reflection

I used to struggle with the saying "the room is the smartest one in the room". Did I get that right? Maybe that is why I have always struggled with it. Anyway, I see the value and power of multiple brains reflecting and responding together. Padlet is a great crowdsourcing tool that can help your students reflect together in a way they never could individually. In case you missed it, here is one I created for staff to collect ideas around how to help with our mobile phone issues.  I would love to see your ideas so please feel free to jot them down here. Or, just look at what has already been added and you can feel free to add and build on those ideas. You can adjust the settings on your padlet so students can "like" or "upvote" ideas. You can also set it so students can comment and respond. They can add images, links, videos, text, and so much more.

In my attempt to keep this short and informative I am certain I have missed some of your favorites. What reflection tools do you use? Feel free to post in the comments below.