Academic Monitoring in Western Governors University

Academic Monitoring in Western Governor’s University

Bruce Greening

July 19, 2010

Academic monitoring involves closely observing students’ progress in one or more subjects over a given period of time. Teachers use this information to compare the performance of a certain student to that of his or her classmates in order to identify students who are doing well, struggling or underachieving. An academic monitoring procedure, when executed accurately is what sets apart successful and unsuccessful schools and teachers. Efficient teachers are able to modify the method of instruction based on the students’ performance (Avery 2008). This will not only improve the students’ performance, but also the level of instruction. The Students’ monitoring has two purposes; the achievement of students’ goals and the improvement of instruction methods.

The following monitoring methods have proved successful with time;

Use of data to assess students’ instructional needs; This happens when teachers conduct curriculum-based tests regularly. The teacher collects the students’ work, and from these academic records, can assess a student’s specific problem.

Focus on effective instruction at the appropriate level; Knowing each student’s instructional level is crucial to providing successful classroom instruction. This information is a result of past assessment and constant monitoring of students’ progress. This way a teacher can instruct a student depending on their instructional level, so that students who have challenges can be assisted.

Continuous self assessment by teacher on their instruction methods; Progress monitoring is not beneficial for students only, but for teachers as well. Teachers should monitor their own instructional methods, and assess their effectiveness from time to time, since they influence the students’ performance. This will help them to know if they are setting a suitable pace of instruction, in providing the right instruction match based of the students’ levels.

Using continuous progress monitoring; Monitoring of students’ progress is important so as to provide appropriate academic support (Zorigian, 2010). When teachers continuously monitor the students’ academic progress; they are in apposition to make informed choices regarding the actions that can be successful for the students.

A teacher should settle on an effective monitoring system for students having difficulties with their assignments. Teachers should use continuous progress monitoring to assess such students on a daily basis. This way, they are better able to make informed choices about the appropriate actions to take regarding such students. When teachers show a personal interest in such students, their confidence is boosted and they are encouraged to do better (Zorigian, 2010).

A system for student self-monitoring should be put in place so that students can learn how to monitor their progress as they move upwards. For this to be effective, the students need to know what is expected of them academically based on their instructional level, so they can determine the way forward. Self-monitoring means that; students know what they have to do to complete a task, that they know the most appropriate strategy or strategies to perform different tasks and to determine whether they have mastered the right material, and how well it has been learned (Blerkom 2004). This is a skill that has to be taught and learned with time before it can be perfected. It should start from elementary school through to high school so that when the students get to college, they are sufficiently self-regulated. The teacher should closely observe the self-monitoring progress and advise the students accordingly

References:

Avery S. (2008): Academic Monitoring

http://www.mightystudents.com/essay/Academic.Monitoring retrieved on 19/07/2010.

Korigian S. (2010): Strategies that Promote Academic success

http://www.learnnc.org/about/staff/Kris+Zorigian retrieved on 19/07/2010.

Blerkom V. (2004): Self-Monitoring strategies COPYRIGHT 1999 College Reading and Learning Association. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)

http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-126387139/self-monitoring-strategies-used.html retrieved on 19th July, 2010.