What are the benefits of having a student recognition wall for student engagement and motivation?

According to AnnaMaria Bliven and Michelle Jungbauer, student recognition positively impacts student retention and academic success! They find that "students who received an excellence award who were on the verge of withdrawing their enrollment decided to continue their studies and were more motivated" Recognizing student's work or their efforts is a form of positive reinforcement in education which reinforces their behavior and encourages them to continue putting in effort.

I’ve found that creating a student recognition wall can be a powerful way to boost student engagement and build a positive classroom culture. By showcasing student work, awards, certificates, and other forms of recognition, we can highlight both significant achievements and everyday efforts. This not only helps students feel proud and increases their self-esteem but also inspires them to keep pushing forward. Additionally, it fosters a community where students celebrate each other’s successes, encouraging a culture of mutual support and hard work.

Consider featuring student's artwork, a science project, improvements or a perfect score on a test. This recognition helps students feel proud of themselves, boosting their self-esteem and motivating them to continue working hard. Additionally, it fosters a positive classroom culture where students support and congratulate each other, creating an environment of mutual respect and encouragement. Regular updates to the wall keep the momentum going and ensure every student gets a chance to shine. However, be mindful that every child has their own peak beyond academics, find ways to ensure all children gets on board:)

I think having a student recognition wall can be highly beneficial for student engagement and motivation. It serves as a constant reminder of their achievements, encouraging them to strive for excellence. When students see their hard work and accomplishments showcased, it fosters a sense of pride and belonging. This recognition not only boosts their self-esteem but also motivates others to aim higher, knowing that their efforts might also be celebrated.

Educate students on HOW to comment or give constructive feedback before starting a recognition wall to prevent possible verbal abuse. Eg, a teacher can comment "Great use of descriptive language in your story, but consider adding more dialogue to enhance character development." There after, encouraging students to give peer feedback on the wall can enhance their communication and collaboration skills by giving example. This interactive feedback system shows students that their learning is valued and that they have an audience for their work, motivating them to strive for continuous improvement. It fosters a classroom culture of constructive criticism and support.

Regular communication with parents is crucial for effectively engaging them in their children's learning journey. Always share both areas for improvement and success stories, teachers and parents can work together to instill confidence and support in the child, meaning, parents can reinforce the same positive messages at home, creating a unified support system. Highlighting successes helps parents see their child's strengths and efforts, fostering a more encouraging and motivating environment. Methods should be beyond calls, but videos, recordings, photos etc

1. Choose a Space: Select a visible and accessible area in your classroom. 2. Define Criteria: Decide what types of achievements and work will be showcased. 3. Gather Materials (Based on #2) : - Physical wall: consider "Wall of Fame" or shelves for work display. - Digital wall: gather images, videos, digital copies Create templates for consistent presentation of each recognition item. 4. Involve Students: Engage students in the creation and maintenance of the wall. Assign and rotate the roles such as selecting work to display, writing feedback for peers, and decorating the space to ensure everyone gets to contribute. 5. Regular Updates: Keep the wall dynamic & relevant. Highlight different themes to ensure diverse representation.

While recognition can generally be a useful tool to boost students' motivation, some caution should be exercised when creating a student recognition wall and establishing its rules. For less confident students, if they are unable to achieve sufficient performance to appear on the student recognition wall, it could further diminish their motivation towards their studies.