Are you looking for hacks for encouraging students to realize their academic potential? If so, keep reading.
1. Praise the learner for improving academic tasks and homework performance: (a) give the learner a concrete reward (e.g., classroom privileges, free homework pass, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the learner an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).
2. Assess the learner’s performance in an assortment of ways (e.g., have the learner give oral explanations, simulations, physical demonstrations, etc.).
3. Find the learner’s preferred learning style (e.g., visual, auditory, etc.) and use it continuously to enable the learner’s comprehension.
4. Find resource staff members (e.g., librarian, special education teacher, other staff members with expertise or time to help, etc.) from whom the learner may receive additional assistance.
5. Require the learner to make corrections after tasks have been reviewed by the teacher.
6. Make sure the tasks measure knowledge of content, not related skills such as reading or writing.
7. Alter instruction to include more concrete examples to enable learning.
8. Connect with parents (e.g., notes home, phone calls, etc.) to disseminate information about the learner’s progress. The parents may reinforce the learner at home for improving their academic task and homework performance.
9. Give sufficient repetition/drill of ideas/skills to help the learner achieve minimal accuracy on tasks (i.e., require mastery/minimal accuracy before moving to the next skill level).
10. Make the learner redo tasks of poor quality if you are sure the task is within the learner’s capacity and ability level.
11. Create a minimum level of accuracy that will be accepted as a level of mastery.
12. Observe the learner’s performance of the first problem or part of the task to make sure the learner knows what is expected.
13. Provide instructions on a one-to-one basis before assigning a task.
14. Select various people (e.g., peer, paraprofessional, tutor, counselor, etc.) to help the learner improve work performance.
15. Minimize distracting stimuli (e.g., place the learner in the front row, give a carrel or “office” space away from distractions, etc.). This should be used as a way to lessen distractions, not as a punishment.
16. Teach the learner to practice basic study skills (e.g., reading for the main idea, note-taking, summarizing, highlighting, studying in an excellent environment, using time wisely, etc.).
17. Complete the first few problems of a task with the learner to make sure that they know what to do, how to finish the task, etc.
18. Organize their surroundings to give the learner increased chance for help or assistance on academic or homework tasks (e.g., give a peer tutor, seat the learner near the teacher or aide, etc.).
19. Get the learner to orally repeat directions, explanations, and instructions after they have been given to reinforce retention.
20. Let the learner put a task away and return to it at a later time when they might be more successful.
21. Consider using one of the apps and tools from our many app lists. These apps are designed to help students who are experiencing academic difficulties.
28 of the Best Apps for Kids in Kindergarten
28 of the Best Apps for Kids in the First Grade
39 of the Best Apps for Kids in the Second Grade
53 of the Best Apps for Kids in the Third Grade
37 of the Best Apps for Kids in the Fourth Grade
25 of the Best Apps for Kids in the Fifth Grade
28 of the Best Apps for Kids in the Sixth Grade
35 of the Best Apps for Kids in the Seventh Grade
28 of the Best Apps for Kids in the Eight Grade
27 of the Best Apps for Kids in the Ninth Grade
33 of the Best Apps for Kids in the Tenth Grade
