ToolSync
Gradual Release of Responsibility
WHAT IS IT?
Teachers gradually transfer the responsibility for learning from themselves to the students, allowing them to take on more independent work as they gain confidence and competence.
MICROSOFT TEAMS
Teacher-Directed Instruction: Teams allows teachers to deliver direct instruction through various features such as live meetings, recorded videos, or shared presentations. Teachers can use these tools to provide explicit instruction, introduce new concepts, and model desired skills or strategies. This teacher-directed instruction sets the foundation for learning and provides a clear framework for students to follow.
Guided Practice: Teams enables teachers to provide guided practice opportunities for students. Teachers can create assignments, discussions, or collaborative projects within Teams, where students can apply the knowledge and skills learned during the teacher-directed instruction. Teachers can provide guidance, support, and feedback during these activities, gradually releasing responsibility to students as they gain confidence and proficiency.
Collaborative Learning: Teams supports collaborative learning through its channels, chat, and collaboration features. Teachers can create channels or groups where students can work together on projects, discussions, or problem-solving activities. This collaborative environment allows students to learn from and support each other, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and promoting active engagement in the learning process.
Peer Feedback and Assessment: Teams facilitates peer feedback and assessment through its assignment and discussion features. Teachers can design activities where students provide feedback to their peers, evaluate each other's work, or engage in peer review processes. This peer feedback and assessment promote student autonomy and responsibility, as they learn to critically analyze and provide constructive feedback to their peers.
Independent Practice and Reflection: Teams provides a platform for students to engage in independent practice and reflection. Teachers can assign individual tasks, projects, or assessments that students complete on their own. Students can submit their work through Teams, receive feedback from the teacher, and reflect on their learning progress. This independent practice and reflection foster student responsibility and self-regulation.
Teacher Monitoring and Feedback: Teams allows teachers to monitor students' progress and provide ongoing feedback. Teachers can review students' work, provide comments, and track their engagement within Teams. This monitoring and feedback loop ensures that students receive timely guidance and support, helping them gradually assume responsibility for their learning.
Parent Engagement: Teams provides a platform for parent engagement and involvement in the learning process. Teachers can share updates, assignments, and student progress with parents through Teams. This collaboration between teachers, students, and parents supports the gradual release of responsibility by extending the scaffolding beyond the classroom and fostering a shared responsibility for student learning.
MICROSOFT ONENOTE
Teacher-Directed Instruction: OneNote Class Notebook allows teachers to provide direct instruction by creating and sharing digital lesson materials, including text, images, videos, and audio recordings. Teachers can use the Content Library section to deliver explicit instruction, introduce new concepts, and provide resources for students to reference.
Guided Practice: OneNote Class Notebook supports guided practice by providing structured activities and templates for students to complete. Teachers can create pages or sections with guided practice exercises, graphic organizers, or step-by-step instructions. Students can work through these activities, receiving guidance and support from the teacher as they gradually develop their skills and understanding.
Collaborative Learning: OneNote Class Notebook facilitates collaborative learning by allowing students to work together on shared pages or sections. Teachers can create collaborative spaces where students can collaborate on projects, discussions, or problem-solving activities. This collaborative environment promotes peer interaction, shared responsibility, and active engagement in the learning process.
Individualized Instruction: OneNote Class Notebook supports individualized instruction by providing personalized sections or pages for each student. Teachers can create individualized learning plans, assign specific tasks or resources, and provide targeted feedback to each student. This individualization allows for differentiated instruction and supports students' unique learning needs and progress.
Formative Assessment: OneNote Class Notebook enables formative assessment by allowing teachers to provide ongoing feedback and monitor student progress. Teachers can review students' work, provide comments, and use the built-in grading features to provide feedback on assignments or assessments. This formative feedback supports the gradual release of responsibility by guiding students' learning and helping them take ownership of their progress.
Student Reflection and Self-Assessment: OneNote Class Notebook promotes student reflection and self-assessment. Students can use the digital platform to reflect on their learning, set goals, and evaluate their own progress. Teachers can provide prompts or reflection questions, and students can respond in their personal sections. This self-assessment process encourages students to take responsibility for their learning and actively engage in the scaffolding process.
Parent Engagement: OneNote Class Notebook allows for parent engagement and involvement in the learning process. Teachers can share student work, updates, and feedback with parents through the notebook. This collaboration between teachers, students, and parents supports the gradual release of responsibility by extending the scaffolding beyond the classroom and fostering a shared responsibility for student learning.
MICROSOFT LEARNING TOOLS
Text-to-Speech: Microsoft Learning Tools offer a text-to-speech feature that can read aloud text to students. Teachers can use this feature to provide audio support for students who may struggle with reading or comprehension. By gradually releasing the responsibility, teachers can initially read aloud the text, and then gradually shift the responsibility to students by having them use the text-to-speech feature independently.
Immersive Reader: The Immersive Reader feature in Microsoft Learning Tools provides various reading supports, such as adjusting text size, font, and spacing, as well as highlighting parts of speech and breaking down words into syllables. Teachers can introduce these supports to students and gradually release the responsibility by encouraging students to use the Immersive Reader independently as they become more proficient readers.
Picture Dictionary: Microsoft Learning Tools include a picture dictionary feature that provides visual representations of words. Teachers can use this feature to support vocabulary development and comprehension. Initially, teachers can guide students in using the picture dictionary, and then gradually release the responsibility by encouraging students to independently use the tool to enhance their understanding of unfamiliar words.
Translator: The Translator feature in Microsoft Learning Tools allows for real-time translation of text into different languages. Teachers can use this feature to support English language learners or students who may need assistance with understanding content in their native language. Teachers can initially provide translations, and then gradually release the responsibility by encouraging students to use the Translator independently as they develop their language skills.
Dictation: Microsoft Learning Tools offer a dictation feature that allows students to speak their responses instead of typing them. Teachers can introduce this feature to support students who may struggle with writing or have difficulty expressing their thoughts in written form. Teachers can initially model the use of dictation, and then gradually release the responsibility by encouraging students to independently use the feature for their written work.
Focus Mode: Microsoft Learning Tools include a focus mode that allows students to minimize distractions by highlighting one line of text at a time. Teachers can introduce this feature to help students maintain focus and attention during reading or writing tasks. Teachers can initially guide students in using focus mode, and then gradually release the responsibility by encouraging students to independently activate the feature when needed.
Personalization: Microsoft Learning Tools provide options for personalization, allowing students to customize their learning experience based on their preferences and needs. Teachers can introduce these personalization features and gradually release the responsibility by encouraging students to explore and utilize the tools that best support their individual learning styles and requirements.