Worksheets....what are their value?

After spending some time in my Ed Tech class learning about different ways to incorporate technology into the classroom, we explored creating lessons the old fashioned way...worksheets. We tried to find a way to make a worksheet that could be more engaging for the students, and more purposeful. It made me think about the value of worksheets and if they still had a place in the classroom. After completely this project and reading a few opinions online, I have come to the conclusion that worksheets definitely have their place and can still be a valuable tool in the classroom if used purposefully. There is definitely a difference between a good and bad worksheet, and as a teacher, you need to evaluate its worth. I read Jennifer Gonzalez's post called "Frickin' Packets", and she has a lot of good points to say about the subject of worksheets. She points out where they can be useful, and when you should find alternative ways for learning instead. She sums it up well at the end when she says "From now on, every time you’re about to use a worksheet, ask yourself if it’s contributing to student learning or if it’s actually just keeping them busy". I do think that worksheets can be valuable when you are trying to reinforce learning that was taught in more creative ways, or used as an assessment tool to check students understanding of the material. Another article I read, "Top 10 Benefits of Using Worksheets", listed many ways that worksheets are still useful in the classroom; for example, to "reinforce the application of knowledge they gained in their classrooms". I think that these worksheets can be useful in combination with other learning activities.

Regardless of how you feel about worksheets, you will most likely have to use them at some point in your classroom. After having created one in my Ed Tech class, there are definitely a few things to consider when creating one. The worksheet need to be pleasing to the eye and engaging for the student. For example; be sure to add some pictures and colours in them, and be creative! You need to make sure everything is clearly labelled, and specific, simple, and clear instructions are given for the students to follow. Too often students can get confused in the instructions and are left feeling frustrated right from the start. Find a way to ask questions in a way that allows students to be creative in their answers and lead to deeper thought, rather than just using fill in the blanks and multiple choice. I have only briefly explored this topic and will definitely will be looking to find more creative ways to use worksheets in my classroom. #EDTS325 #Worksheets #classroom #Assessment #becreative