22 Matching Annotations
  1. Mar 2026
    1. Banning cell phones from classrooms can backfire

      This stood out to me because it challenges the idea that simply removing phones will solve the problem. Instead, students need to learn how to use their phones responsibly. As a future special education teacher, this is important because students need to build self regulation skills, not just follow rules.

    1. Concerns about underdeveloped social skills due to excessive screen time and potential long-term impacts on emotional and social development

      This is an important point because school is not just about academics, it’s also about social development. Many students need explicit support in building communication and social skills. If students are constantly on their phones, they miss opportunities to practice these real-life interactions.

    2. Classroom Disruptions: Discipline problems stemming from cell phone usage and time spent addressing phone-related behavioral issues

      This stood out to me because it directly connects to classroom management. In special education, maintaining structure and minimizing distractions is critical for student success. Phones can interfere with instruction and make it harder for students to stay engaged, especially those with ADHD or behavioral needs.

    1. I encourage you to try one new thing at a time, celebrate quick wins, think of “failures” as learning opportunities, and lean on your st

      This reinforces the idea of students being active participants in their learning. In special education, this supports self-advocacy and giving students a voice in their education, which is important for long-term independence.

    2. You’ll take steps forward, steps sideways, and steps back.

      This really reflects what learning looks like in special education. Students may show progress one day and struggle the next, and that is part of the learning process. This connects to progress monitoring and understanding that growth is not always linear.

    3. ongoing expedition that requires time, patience, and a sense of humor.

      This stood out to me because it emphasizes that self-assessment is not something that happens overnight. In special education, progress often takes time and requires patience. This connects to having realistic expectations for student growth and understanding that learning is a process.

    4. scale of 1–5,

      This is a simple but effective scaffold. Rating scales make self-assessment more accessible, especially for students who struggle with language or writing. I could also adapt this with visuals or color coding for younger students.

    5. we could practice a feedback strategy such as Stars (strengths) and Stairs (next steps)

      This is a great structured feedback strategy. It helps students identify both what they are doing well and what they need to improve. This is especially helpful in special education because it balances positive reinforcement with clear next steps.

    6. I could access these examples from the provided curriculum materials or from previous students; sometimes I made the examples myself, especially if the learning goals or path to the learning goals were specific to my students’ motivations and interests.

      This is a critical strategy for students with disabilities. Many students need concrete examples to understand abstract expectations.

    7. We would also examine specific pieces (e.g., paragraphs or even sentences).

      Breaking tasks into smaller parts is essential for students with executive functioning challenges. This supports chunking, which helps reduce overwhelm and allows students to focus on one skill at a time.

    8. my students and I could take next steps with effective self, peer, and teacher feedback, which ultimately led to successful self-assessment.

      This shows a high level of student ownership and understanding. In special education, this supports self-advocacy skills, where students can explain their strengths and needs. This is also important for IEP meetings and goal tracking.

    9. make room for the exercises that make self-assessment fruitful,

      This stood out because self-assessment takes time and cannot be rushed. In special education, students benefit from slowing down instruction, chunking tasks, and providing multiple opportunities for practice. This connects to scaffolding and ensuring students fully understand before moving on.

    10. honest and vulnerable.

      This connects directly to creating a safe and supportive classroom environment. Many students with disabilities may feel anxious about making mistakes or being wrong. If students don’t feel safe, they are less likely to honestly reflect on their learning. This ties into behavior supports and building strong relationships in the classroom.

    11. Use reliable strategies, processes, and tools

      This is a key point of the article because it shows that self assessment is not something students can just do automatically it requires intentional structure and support. In special education, this is especially important because students often need explicit instruction, modeling, and guided practice to successfully reflect on their learning.

    12. Reflect on your role

      I wonder how this approach would look for students with more significant disabilities or language delays. What additional supports would be needed to help all students successfully reflect and self-assess?

      I found this section the most interesting because it clearly shows the shift in teaching mindset. It made me reflect on how important it is to move from simply giving assignments to actively involving students in their learning process.

    13. made students active agents in the learning processes

      This connects directly to student ownership. In special education, students are often used to being told what to do, so giving them an active role increases engagement and motivation. This also supports executive functioning skills like self monitoring and independence.

    14. build knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy throughout the learning journey?” approach).

      This is one of the strongest sentences in the section because it explains the purpose of self-assessment. It’s not just about completing work, but about building confidence and long term skills. Self efficacy is especially important for students who may have experienced repeated academic struggles.

    15. How do I partner with my students to build knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy throughout the learning journey?” approach).

      I really like this wording because it emphasizes collaboration between teacher and student. In special education, this is important because students should feel involved in their learning. This also connects to student voice in IEP meetings and goal setting.

    16. (an “I say it. You do it” approach)

      This reminds me of more traditional teaching styles where the students are passive learners. MANY students in SPED struggle with type of environment because they are not activity engaged or thinking about their learning, It highlights why shifting instruction is necessary for diverse learning

    17. I was prepared to operate as a learner-manager instead of a learner-empowerer

      This shift in mindset is one of the biggest takeaways from the article. As a future special education teacher, I see how being a “learner-manager” can create dependence on adults, while being a “learner-empowerer” promotes independence and self-advocacy. This connects to IEP goals where students need to build skills to monitor their own learning and progress.

    18. This was a really powerful idea. It shows how the teacher’s role shifts from controlling learning to guiding students. This connects to building independence and helping students take ownership of their work.

    19. students were able to build metacognition and self-efficacy skills.

      One of the main takeaways from this article is that self assessment helps students understand their own learning. This builds both confidence and independence. I see this as especially important in special education because students need support in recognizing their growth and abilities.