In a day where there is an app for everything, wondering about the true impact a tech tool has made on students’ learning, engagement, and retention can be daunting. Using Buncee with my students over the years, I have seen firsthand the difference it has made in their interest in assignments, in the creativity that blossoms when they open the canvas, and in the increase in their test scores.
Recently, I reached out to some former students that were in my fifth grade class two years ago.
I love having students use Buncee to visualize and illustrate core content vocabulary words and definitions.
These students had “Bunceed” their key vocabulary and definitions for many of our units, with great results. I asked these students to take the same quiz they had taken as fifth graders, focusing on the circulatory system and the digestive system from our human body unit. I know I have seen the benefits of Buncee in the classroom, but I know the true validity is in the actual data.
As expected…I was not disappointed with the results! Two years have passed since my students had seen the material, but their scores were phenomenal.
The result was an average of 91%, and the first student to respond scored a 99%! This truly speaks volumes about the power of Buncee!
Students truly learned the material, as demonstrated by their retention of that material.
Why does Buncee make such a difference in the learning environment? In her text, Differentiated Instruction Made Practical, Harvard’s Dr. Rhonda Bondie teaches about ABC + Motivation which is certainly connected to the power of Buncee. A has to do with students feeling Autonomous, B has to do with students feeling a sense of Belonging, and C has to do with students feeling Competent. Students are totally MOTIVATED when they know and understand that what they are learning is Meaningful – this is when the TRUE MAGIC happens and, in my honest opinion, this is where the MAGIC of Buncee truly happens.
The Buncee canvas allows students the opportunity to be autonomous and competent, and it absolutely motivates them no matter what they are working on…and, when a sense of community has been developed in the classroom, students will feel a strong sense of belonging, all of which results in engagement and retention.
Buncee allows students the freedom to be creative while they illustrate their learning.
Buncee is the FULL PACKAGE…it meets ALL of a student’s needs no matter the academic area. Motivation is HUGE! When students are motivated, they will absolutely be engaged, which most definitely results in incredible retention of the material students are learning. When students are motivated in the classroom – the sky is the limit! Buncee rocks motivation, engagement, and retention – hands down! This is obvious when the students are still rocking an average of 91% when it has been two years since learning the material! Just let students open the canvas…stand back…then, prepare to observe the MAGIC right before your very eyes! It truly is powerful to watch!
Meet the author
Barbie Monty received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education (Cum Laude) from Mississippi University for Women. Upon moving to Tampa Bay and marrying in 2000, Barbie came to Carrollwood Day School. She was drawn to CDS after learning of its character education initiative. She quickly became an active member of the CDS faculty taking a position in the fifth grade. She eagerly accepted the role of Inservice Coordinator and became the advisor to the fifth-grade Safety Patrol providing fifth graders with an incredible opportunity to experience leadership roles before beginning their middle school journey.
Upon completing Differentiated Instruction Made Practical, the intense 12-week course offered by the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Barbie Monty was asked to participate in their Differentiated Instruction Made Practical Coach Training Program. Barbie Monty assumed her role as a Coach for the Harvard Graduate School of Education course Differentiated Instruction Made Practical after completing their rigorous Coach Training Program. She is thoroughly enjoying this incredible opportunity mentoring educators from around the world as their coach. She is committed to working with these participants sharing her experience differentiating instruction for ALL learners in a variety of contexts within this course. With the current situation in the world, Differentiated Instruction is now necessary more than ever!
Barbie loves working with the CDS fifth grade students and has been instrumental in developing many of the Units of Inquiry they currently enjoy each year. Follow Barbie’s class on Twitter!
