Giving
students choices allows for individual differences in learning, encourages
autonomy, and provides the learner the power to choose “how” to learn. It’s an
effective instructional practice whether you’re in-person or virtual. It gives
students opportunities to practice and master concepts taught in class. Choice
Boards is an engaging strategy to help simplify lesson planning and addresses
learning variability.
Choice boards are graphic organizers that comprise of different
amounts of squares. Each square is an activity. The activities help students
learn or practice a primary concept, while allowing them a choice. Students can
be instructed to choose one or more of these activities to complete. They can progress
from one activity to another either in an organized or random order.
1.
When creating the boards be sure to have activities that cater to
every learning style such as visual, auditory, read-write and kinesthetic.
2.
Boards can be created for weekly tasks, homework, projects and
even assessments. Detailed instructions and requirements can be given for each
task. An extra credit slot can be included to encourage students to better
their learning.
3.
Tic-Tac-Toe: Encourage students to perform a set of three activities
so that it forms a Tic-Tac-Toe. Students can choose these activities
horizontally, vertically or diagonally. In this method the “FREE CHOICE” square
can be in the middle.
Use of Choice Boards help to improve student motivation,
engagement and learning by empowering them to learn to the best of their
ability.
