Leigh Langton, an educator in Florida, shares how she encouraged her students to take responsibility for their learning. "One of the most challenging parts of computer-based programs like i-Ready is allowing students to take ownership of the work they are putting in and to be responsible," she shares. "This is double-hard at the kindergarten level. Some kids just don’t have experience with being 'in charge' of something all on their own. But, this can’t be used as a crutch. Students succeed when there is natural buy-in!

To build this buy-in with the system in place, we first talked extensively about what it means to be responsible. We brainstormed examples and non-examples; I praised those who were and coached those who were struggling.

I also showed my students how to check their own time stats so they could see how close they were to their time goals for the week. This quickly became one of their favorite things to do after completing a lesson.

Here are some other ways to build student responsibility with computer-based programs: 

• Allow students to choose their lessons. In i-Ready, students are placed on a learning path based on Diagnostics. In addition to this, the teacher can go in and assign or reassign lessons to better meet students needs. I loved this feature and would add lessons based on what concepts we were exploring in Reading and Math. In addition, I used these lessons as an intervention/enrichment opportunity based on formal and informal assessments in the classroom. This also gave my students choices. They could choose which lesson they wanted to complete that day—and I knew it was exactly what they needed no matter which lesson they chose!

• Involve students in completing as many steps on their own as possible. Putting students in the driver's seat builds a sense of responsibility and ownership. I also had students choose and add their own stickers to our i-Ready charts, and showed them how to check their own learning times.

• Celebrate small and big victories. One of the biggest changes I made to our routine was in our celebrations of achievements. Before, I rarely spoke to my students about their performance within the program. Now, we celebrate a 100% with a special dance, cheer on students who achieve goals, and work to encourage those who are struggling.

This idea is originally from Leigh's blog: TheAppliciousTeacher.com/i-Ready-Tracking-System