Improve student learning with Reflect

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Microsoft Reflect is our secret weapon for tracking and understanding our students' emotions. It's like having an emotional radar that helps us spot trends, triggers, and even students who might be silently struggling. Thanks to the Insights features of Microsoft Reflect, we can be there for our students before they even ask for help.

When we notice someone going through a tough time, we don't just sit back. Oh no! We sit down with them and have a heart-to-heart chat, diving deep into what's bothering them. But here's the best part–we're not alone in this mission to support our students.

With all the valuable data from Reflect at our fingertips, we can craft personalized plans to give students the helping hand they need. It's all about finding the right strategies and support to help them navigate their challenges and emerge stronger than ever.

It's wonderful to see how teachers harness the power of data to enhance their teaching practice and support students at every stage. We follow the same principle, using daily Reflect check-ins to understand and address our students' emotional needs.

How can we use data to support students emotionally?

We're on a mission to uncover the incredible stories hidden within the data. Remember, there are no good or bad emotions here–every feeling is different. We totally get it; emotions are as diverse as the changing seasons, and that's totally cool!

Screenshot of Reflect check-in data segmented by students.

Now, as we dive into the Reflect check-ins, we're like emotion detectives searching for clues, patterns, and vibes that might be affecting our awesome students. Let's crack the code and discover those trends–those patterns that could be making a real difference in their lives. We're all about empowering our students to flourish, and this data is our treasure map to make it happen!

Illustration of a Reflect feeling monster with the words Magic Activity with Reflect and the e Twins.

  • Begin by observing the overall pattern within the class:
    • Are there emotions that stand out?
    • Is it a one-time thing or a trend?
    • What might have happened?
  • Follow by looking at specific students:
    • Are there any students that stand out?
    • Feel something different than most of the class?
    • Does this pattern persist over an extended duration?

Regularly checking for patterns in the data gives us the magical ability to spot those precious clues that might indicate when some of our students are facing emotional challenges in our classes.

Interested in getting valuable insights and trends with Reflect? Create your check-in now.

Connect the dots between emotional and pedagogical data

Now, we take a step further and explore the intriguing relationship between emotional data and academic performance. Here's our exciting classroom activity:

  • Before an upcoming test, our students take a Reflect check-in. This check-in provides valuable insights into students' emotional state right before the exam–are they feeling confident, stressed, or maybe a mix of emotions?
  • Once the test is finished, we gather the academic data–scores, performance, and any noteworthy trends. Now comes the interesting part–analyzing the emotional and academic data together.
  • By cross-referencing the Reflect check-in results with the test scores, we identify patterns. Do certain emotions align with better academic performance? Are there specific emotional states that seem to correlate with lower scores?

Our goal is to understand how emotions and academic performance impact each other. Does a positive emotional state lead to improved focus and concentration during the test? On the other hand, does stress or anxiety hamper students' ability to perform at their best?

Screenshot of Reflect data shown by check-in.

Once we identify these connections, we brainstorm ways to support our students effectively. Perhaps implementing mindfulness techniques before exams can help ease nerves, or encouraging positive emotional experiences in the classroom can boost overall academic engagement. Some other ways to support these students are:

  • Schedule study sessions or review for anxious students or students not ready for an assessment or test.
  • Add brain breaks at certain times of the day based on the trends and data.
  • Work in focus groups with specific students who show the same trends.

We're thrilled to embark on this journey of exploring the link between emotions and academics. And we'd love to hear your thoughts too! Join us in this exciting endeavor and share your experiences using the hashtag #ReflectApp on social media. Together, let's unlock the secrets of emotional and academic success!


Next unit: Integrate Reflect into your daily routine

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