Technology tools, new strategies, innovative ideas...I could go on and on.  It seems like we are constantly adding to the plates of educators in an effort to find the "silver bullet" that will engage today's learners.  Spoiler alert...there is no silver bullet.  As so many already know, it doesn't exist. However, there are tools, strategies, and ideas that can be used in the classroom to make learning more meaningful.  However, the reality is that those tools, strategies, and ideas should be different for individual educators and potentially, individual learners.  

We don't teach robots, we teach people.  None of them are the same, meaning that they do not and will not learn the same regardless of how much easier that would make the educating them.  And yet, we continue to add to the plates of teachers asking them to try this, try that while never giving them the permission to take the things off of the plate that aren't working.  

I'm a big believer in feedback over grades, especially when it comes to writing. But, the reality is, finding time to sit and offer personal feedback to every single learner is difficult to do.  I really like the idea of using Flipgrid to provide feedback for writing assignments.  Let's think this through...

Your students turn in a writing assignments and you spend the time that you need reading through their work.  As you read their thoughts, share your reactions, thoughts, ideas, and feedback using Flipgrid Shorts on your teacher dashboard.  You don't want this to be super long or they will lose interest while watching.  However, if you can find a way to be clear and concise, this is a great way offer feedback for your learners.  

If you use Google Classroom for your learners to share their work or any other digital tool for that matter, you can send the link to your video feedback directly to your learners.  Regardless of how you share, the goal is to offer feedback for writing more often than a grade. 

​Writing is personal.  Sharing your thoughts on a blank piece of paper is not easy and can be intimidating.  Feedback versus a grade helps a writer understand what they did well and what they can improve upon.  A grade at the top of the paper does not.