Along with issuing feedback, it is important to provide recognition to learners as they work towards their educational goals. One technology tool that helps educators provide recognition to students are Multimedia. Research shows that teacher-issued recognition is most effective in positively influencing students' attitudes when it is both concrete and personalized. Technology gives us tools to do just that. There is (oftentimes free!) software available that easily creates personalized certificates, banners, and cards--all concrete forms of recognition. In my opinion, the simplest method would be using the free templates available for Microsoft Word or PowerPoint. I could create a different template for each accomplishment (Reading Team member, Reading Point Goals, etc.) and then it would be as simple as entering the student name into the template and printing it. I have the software on my computer at school and with access to a color printer, attractive personalized and concrete recognition can be issued to my students when they achieve certain goals. Teachers in any subject can use these tools to create concrete forms of recognition that are unique to their classroom goals.
Alongside using Multimedia to create concrete and personalized forms of recognition, Web Resources are another technology tool that can be used to provide recognition. Once these certificates are created, electronic copies can be e-mailed to parents as a form of parent contact. All too often, educators find themselves only contacting parents when there is a negative issue that needs to be addressed. E-mailing parents these certificates or cards provides educators with a quick and easy way to establish positive contact and let the parents know about the successes of their children. Next year, I plan to create a certificate for students who make the Reading Team; I'll give the student the hard copy and then e-mail a copy to their parents to let them know the good news. Another web resource that lends itself to providing recognition are the web showcases and picture galleries. On the library page of my campus website, I am going to list students who have made the FIS Reading Team. Classroom teachers can also use these resources to display electronic copies of their certificates and showcase exceptional student work along with photographs of student projects.
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Everyone likes to be recognized for their accomplishments. It seems that in elementary school we do a much better job of rewarding students with stickers and praise. In my experience, our students are never too old to appreciate recognition. I agree that we tend to contact parents with problems more often than praise and the older the student the less likely parents are to find out the good stuff. Anything we can do to make parents part of the team only benefits us as educators.
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