After first being introduced to Visible Learning four years ago, South Effingham Elementary School was recently recognized as the only school in North America and the world during the 2020-2021 school year to become a Visible Learning Certified School during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Visible Learning Associate School Award is an award given by Corwin, an educational publishing company, to schools that demonstrate a deep commitment to continued implementation of the Visible Learning principles.
Visible Learning is the work of John Hattie, whose research focuses on influences that impact student achievement. He wanted to know how students learn best. After years of research and analysis of more than 250 influences on student achievement, he was able to answer his question and, ultimately, find what makes the greatest impact.
South Effingham Elementary School administrators and teachers began reflecting on their current practices of instruction and started focusing on high impact strategies. Teachers redesigned their lessons to begin utilizing not only strategies that work, but prioritizing their time to what works best.
Visible Learners know where they are in their learning, how they are doing, and where they are going next. They set learning goals, are reflective, and know when to seek help from peers and teachers. It is important for students to understand the “why” behind their learning as well as understand how they know they are successful. Teachers provide success criteria at the onset of each lesson, also learners can self-assess their progress in their learning.
Teachers encourage students to talk about their learning and what it means to be successful. Students understand what their reading levels are, where they are in their learning, and now most importantly, they own their own learning.
South Effingham Elementary School’s mind shift of Visible Learning challenges the traditional style of compliance learning and encourages students to find ownership and acceptance in the progression of how they learn.
