• Embed Doc
  • Copy Link
  • Readcast
  • Collections
  • CommentGo Back
Download
 
“Does sharing learning intentions with parentsimprove children’s achievement?”
AbstractWe were wondering if children might try to achieve more if 
they
knew that
their  parents
knew what their learning intentions were.Portobello School created a blog for each classroom designed to inform parents onwhat their child’s learning intentions are for Reading and Maths.Results indicated that when parents were reminded of the blogsite where thechildren’s learning intentions were posted, there was a spike in the hits to that site.As a result of using the blogs, staff have upskilled in the area of blog posting andmanagement as well as looking to enhance the blog further by adding other content.IntroductionEveryone in Portobello School is using learning intentions in the class but it is not alanguage that parents use. We are looking to strengthen ties with the community andincorporating ICT in the classroom.Portobello School had a literacy target; To raise the level of reading comprehensionthrough the teaching of the comprehension strategies.Research shows that informing parents of the learning intentions has a positive effecton the children’s learning. Research in Scotland based on the use of the Gaeliclanguage in maths showed the following:
Pupils are able to use Gaelic more in the home as parents are aware of theterminology.Learning has become more enjoyable, for example learning through play athome and school.Parents are clearer of their child’s targets in maths. They are given activities todo with their children that mirror and support classroom activities.Parents have become familiar with the Gaelic terminology used in maths. (Amaths phonetic booklet was sent home which can further support their child’slearning.) One teacher had parents in class, observing active learning in maths.Staff now have stronger links with parents and have benefited from theirquestionnaire feedback.
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/assess/sharingpractice/for/sharingcriteria/gaelicmedium2007.asp 
 
Another study showed that blogging enhanced the home/school link and has made parents more aware of what is happening in their children’s classrooms. Their resultsshowed:
24% of our parents responded to the blogOf these the majority had learnt about the blog through the school newsletterStudent promotion was the second most effective source of promotionFollowed by homework sheets and notices equallyDirect teacher contact was the least used point of contact.Some parents indicated that they had difficulty in viewing the blog. This may bedue to entering the incorrect address. The majority however had found the blogeasy to use. Parents enjoyed viewing the photos of school events and felt it keptthem up-to date on the happenings around the school.
“Blogging – Is it worth the effort?” 
Action Research project by Maori Hill School 2008
“The communication link between home and school has been favorable and thiswas shown form the parent surveys issued and this has been one more way inwhich we have been able to successfully celebrate and share students learningand experiences”
 Andrew Sloan, Balmacewen School. Action research. project 2008.
 This research suggests that the combination of sharing learning intentions with parents and the use of a blog, may improve children’s achievement in the areas thatwe have chosen (Reading and Maths).The enjoyment factor should not be taken lightly because, as this increases, andlearning becomes more enjoyable, children will take more risks in their learning.With parents becoming more aware of the learning intentions, the terminology andstrategies that are used in school will become easier to understand thus making taskslike homework a little easier for parents.We want to enhance the home/school link and we are hoping that the blogs willachieve this in some small way, whether it be through informal discussion withinfamilies or staff/parent discussions.Term 3 and the beginning of term 4 were allocated for the parents to view and giveonline feedback on the blogs.
 
ResultsInitial survey dataWe did not get a very large response from parents, however, initial data on whether the parents are aware of their children’s learning intentions in the areas of Readingand Maths, the results are as follows:Our final parent end survey again gave too few responses to give any indication of change.Online parental feedback has not happened. Over the entire period, only onecomment has been posted. This could be due to a lack of awareness by the parentsthat they could actually do this, or how to actually add a comment.The staff made a conscious effort to promote the blog in the weekly school newsletter and as the graph shows, there are spikes on the 20
th
and 27
th
of October when wereally promoted the site to parents in the newsletter.
of 00

Leave a Comment

You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...
You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...