Scott Rosenkranz is a nationally board-certified and highly respected teacher-leader, but that’s not why his students like and learn from him. They feel acknowledged because he’s been able to create an equitable, engaging learning environment, where they’re supported to grow as writers and learners.
Rosenkranz teaches high school English and knows that writing can challenge all students, and at-risk students in particular. To address gaps, he developed an emergent intervention system, combining technology tools to provide a platform for “goal-setting, metacognitive strategies, and formative feedback.” :
Students use Google G-Suite to set and track goals and activities, and Rosenkranz uses Oncore – homegrown app he created with a partner – to capture impressionistic data during class activities. It also creates balanced groups for activities and tracks teacher-student interactions to ensure that everyone gets a fair chance to participate. “Finally, I use Revision Assistant to assess student learning and growth,” he says. “I think it’s irrefutable that students, especially students in the mid to low range of achievement, give themselves to the process of writing and revision much more because of the support Revision Assistant gives them.”
In addition to working with students, Rosenkranz would like to help other teachers design similar “emergent educational tech-ecologies” that facilitate meaningful feedback, fairness, and growth.