How do you decide 'what next'?

Do you observe with intention? By that, I mean it’s a regular strategy in your teaching toolkit, in which you actively document and think about learning and give it the time it needs.

If this is the case, I’d put money on the fact observation helps guide your decisions about ‘what next’, decisions which are anchored in what the learners are doing and need.

This is what data is for, right?

Without intentional observation, it’s very likely your decisions about ‘what next’ for your learners will be primarily guided by

+ the next step in the assessment,

+ or the next bit of the textbook,

+ or your fears and anxieties,

+ or your hopes and desires,

+ or the next thing on the plan.

And when that’s the case, your ability to respond to where a learner is at and what a learner needs is reduced.

Want to use data to target a learner’s ZPD? — observation should be in your toolkit, no matter their age.