Are you looking for a more student-centered approach to conferences? Learn about the benefits of a learner-centered, student-led conference and how it can transform the learning experience.
Traditional parent-teacher conferences often focus on the teacher’s perspective, leaving little room for student input. However, a learner-centered approach to conferences can empower students to take ownership of their learning and showcase their progress in a more meaningful way. Discover the benefits of this approach and how it can transform the learning experience for both students and teachers.
What is a learner-centered, student-led conference?
A learner-centered, student-led conference is a type of conference where the student takes an active role in presenting their progress and achievements to their parents or guardians. Instead of the traditional parent-teacher conference, where the teacher presents information about the student’s progress, the student leads the conference and shares their learning journey. This approach allows students to take ownership of their learning and showcase their strengths and areas for growth in a more meaningful way.
Benefits of a learner-centered, student-led conference.
There are many benefits to a learner-centered, student-led conference. First and foremost, it empowers students to take ownership of their learning and progress. It also allows for a more personalized approach to learning, as the student can showcase their strengths and areas for growth in a way that is meaningful to them. Additionally, it promotes communication and collaboration between the student, teacher, and parent or guardian, leading to a more supportive and engaged learning community. Finally, it helps to build important skills such as public speaking, self-reflection, and goal-setting. You’ll be amazed at the progress you’ll witness in students’ skills from fall to spring!
How to prepare students for a learner-centered, student-led conference.
To prepare students for a learner-centered, student-led conference, it’s important to provide them with the necessary tools and resources. This includes teaching them how to set goals, reflect on their learning, and communicate effectively. It’s also important to give them ample time to prepare and practice their presentations, as well as provide feedback and support throughout the process. In my elementary classroom, it is much less of a presentation than a guided tour of the room. Students and I work together to set up the physical space with work, quotes from our learning, and any texts we’ve used to prompt students to share their learning process.
Things I love to include our elementary student-led conferences.
As I’ve conducted student-led conferences throughout the years, I’ve found that there are certain elements I love to include each time.
Parent Education
I find it so effective to include some element of parent education within our student-led conferences. This can be much more subtle and less preachy than a hand-out with a bit of teacher creativity. I love to incorporate small annotations or educational elements next to displays of student work. For example, when I taught Pre-K, I would include a visual of the writing development progression next to students’ journals. In third grade, I would post the vertical science standards alongside our landform projects so parents could tie in previous and future learning.
Highlighting the process of learning
Another element I love to include for learner-centered, student-led conferences is a display that highlights our process, not just product, of learning. I do this by focusing on one recent project or learning task. I then post the sequence of steps we took as a class to achieve the learning. For my most recent set of conferences, this meant showing students’ brainstorming and drafts of the identity poems they had written. I annotate the steps to further highlight students’ progression.
Student photos
“A picture is worth a thousand words.” Student-led conferences are a great opportunity to get some of your photos out of your camera roll and printed for parents and guardians to enjoy. For students’ loved ones, there’s nothing quite so great as seeing what, specifically, their student is up to during the school day. Are they smiling? What did the project they heard vague details about actually look like? Photos add a special look into the classroom environment!
Your questions about student-led conferences
I’d love to hear what questions you have about student-led conferences! I’ll be writing a follow-up FAQ post, so please let me know what’s on your mind in the comments!
PS: Looking for resources to get you started? Check out this comprehensive, Spanish & English resource set!
