As an educator, you've probably heard of DIRT (Dedicated Improvement & Reflection Time) or maybe even used it in your classroom. DIRT is an important teaching and learning strategy that promotes student engagement, growth, and reflection. In this article, we'll explore what DIRT is, the different forms it might take, why it's useful, and how you can help students get the most out of DIRT in your lessons.
What is DIRT?
DIRT stands for Dedicated Improvement & Reflection Time. It is a period of time set aside during a lesson or series of lessons, where students are given the opportunity to reflect on their learning, receive feedback, and act on this feedback to improve their work. DIRT can take many forms, including:
Peer assessment: Students assess each other's work and provide feedback.
Self-assessment: Students reflect on their own work and identify areas for improvement.
Teacher feedback: Teachers provide targeted feedback on students' work, identifying areas for improvement and next steps.
Student feedback: Students provide feedback to their peers on their work, identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
Why is DIRT useful?
DIRT has several benefits for both students and teachers. Firstly, it allows students to reflect on their learning and identify areas for improvement. This promotes a growth mindset and encourages students to take ownership of their learning.
Secondly, DIRT promotes metacognition - the ability to think about one's own thinking. By reflecting on their learning, students can identify what they have learned, how they learned it, and what they need to do to improve.
Finally, DIRT can improve the quality of student work. By receiving feedback and acting on it, students can make meaningful improvements to their work and produce high-quality outcomes.
How can you help students get the most out of DIRT?
To get the most out of DIRT, it's important to create a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable reflecting on their learning and receiving feedback. Here are some tips to help your students get the most out of DIRT:
Set clear expectations: Make sure students understand what DIRT is, why it's important, and what they are expected to do during this time.
Provide feedback: Give students targeted feedback on their work, identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
Encourage self-reflection: Encourage students to reflect on their own learning and identify areas for improvement. This can be done through self-assessment or reflection prompts.
Foster peer feedback: Encourage students to give and receive feedback from their peers. This can be done through peer assessment or group discussion.
Use DIRT consistently: Incorporate DIRT into your lessons on a regular basis to encourage students to develop a reflective mindset and take ownership of their learning.
In conclusion, DIRT is an important teaching and learning strategy that promotes student engagement, growth, and reflection. By providing students with dedicated time to reflect on their learning, receive feedback, and act on this feedback, teachers can improve the quality of student work and promote a growth mindset. By following the tips above, you can help your students get the most out of DIRT in your lessons.
We've released a set of worksheets to help you structure DIRT and help students get the most out of their reflection time in your lessons. Click here to have a look and download them!
