Background

Today there are too many young students who has lost the joy of learning in school.

25 years ago we didn't have grades for the younger students. We could dig deep into something interesting and include many subjects in one big project for longer period of time. My experience is that they really enjoyed learning about everything - they were excited and curious to learn. No stress about points or grades. They loved to present their work to classmates and parents. The students were proud of themselves!

Today, as soon as a teacher introduces something new - the students ask:

  • Do I have to learn this?

  • Is this enough?

  • What do I have to do to get an A?

My challenge is: How to encourage students to take the next step in learning without grading.

They just hand in assignments. There is no overview: What have I learned already? Where am I? What is my next step?

Students need:

1. A simple tool to mark their own work.

2. An easy tool to get feedback without grading.

3. A common language to describe and enjoy learning.

4. More practice in school to reflect on learning and to see the next step.

Make an add-on in Drive for students to reflect on their work, mark with a smiley, write/ talk their own comments, get feedback from classmates och teachers, go back and rewrite and improve. Remark with a new smiley and comment why I changed my smiley

Tag the work in Drive/ Classroom to collect / overview (sort of portfolio..)


Why should students use Smiley Cards?

  • assess my work with a smiley / symbol / marking

and make a comment?

  • get instant feedback from classmates and teachers

  • use as an add-on in drive to tag my document

  • use it in classroom/drive to collect my assignments like a portfolio

  • go back and easily get an overview of assignments in Drive

  • quick get an overview of the work in Drive to see my next step in learning

  • a portfolio without grades or points - just the feeling of being happy and satisfied with my learning

  • can be an analog version - to quick and easy show my sense - "I am satisfied" or "I need help"

  • can be an add-on in Drive

  • to immediately see the tag in the document/folder in Drive

Quote from the Swedish curriculum

"The school shall promote the development and learning of all pupils as well as a lifelong desire to learn."

"The school shall strive to be a living social community that provides security and the will and desire to learn."

"Every student has the right to develop in school, feel the joy of growth and experience the satisfaction that it gives to make progress and overcome difficulties."

"Skolan skall främja alla elevers utveckling och lärande samt en livslång lust att lära."

"Skolan ska sträva efter att vara en levande social gemenskap som ger trygghet och vilja och lust att lära."

"Varje elev har rätt att i skolan få utvecklas, känna växandets glädje och få erfara den tillfredsställelse som det ger att göra framsteg och övervinna svårigheter."

Me - Rakel

I have worked in primary school as a teacher for 30 years.

I am now a lead teacher and technology coach in Mölndal, Sweden. I work with and support leaders, teachers and students.

I am a Google for Education Certified Innovator, Trainer and Educator

I do workshops/trainings for lin Education - digitalization, G Suite, programming etc.

I build digital learning materials for Loops Education