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Students, Accountability and Responsibility

Student Accounts at CritterCoin Creating Accountability and Responsibility in the Classroom


One thing that I try to hit home with my students is how important it is to be accountable and responsible for the things we do in life. While it is important to teach my content, it’s even more crucial that we understand that as educators, we are developing minds for the future of society. Today, we will be discussing how student accounts from CritterCoin, enable students to be responsible and accountable.

Showing Up for Students

Right now, I want you to picture a student that needed improvement. This is not an opportunity to think negatively or poorly of a student; this is an opportunity to reflect on who needed a little more work than others. This can be in a space of social or academic improvement. This student in my mind did cause moments of frustration, moments of clarity, moments of joy, and moments of progress; NOT PERFECTION. Regardless of how I feel about this student, it is my job as their teacher to fill in the gaps so they can try to be the best person they can be.

I still provided for this student in every way I could. I provided for their needs sometimes when they couldn't or when their parents couldn’t. I took it into my own hands because I wanted to see my student thrive in life. I KNOW that there is at least one of those students in your mind but no matter what, we never gave up on them. For me, that was two reasons: I wanted them to be more responsible and accountable in ways that were fit for them, not in ways that worked for me.

Brainstorm: If you could go back in time and give that student what they need, what would you give them?

Teaching Responsibility and Accountability

We all have different ways of teaching these morals of responsibility and accountability. Teaching about them in the digital way from CritterCoin is a powerful tool and here are some tips on how you can increase or implement new ideas in your classroom.

  1. Students Track Their Own Points: Viewing points consistently in your classroom gives students a way to keep up with their own data. I know some of you gave me an eye-roll because I can hear a Pre-K teacher now “Do you know the work I have to do to get their iPads out?!” Yes, I do because I do it too! 😅However, when students have a general awareness of their points and reward balance, they are going to make a change!
  2. Prepared with Scannable: A scannable is a great feature we have here at CritterCoin. This scannable is a personalized QR code that is given by a teacher. It is the student’s job to scan these QR codes and they instantly receive points/rewards. These QR codes can be placed anywhere in the class, or in assignments, which gives the student the power to earn additional points. This can work in a scenario where students are visibly showing their projects they made. All students that completed the project can scan the scannable given by the teacher (digitally or physically).
  3. Goal sheet that correlates with behavior and academics: Creating a goal sheet requires consistency and awareness. Creating this goal sheet is something that they can create on the first day of school or a better idea is before/during/after Parent Teacher conferences (perfect way to bring parents into the process). Post this goal sheet somewhere important and refer back to it at any chance you have. We have provided a free goal sheet here so you didn’t spend your planning creating one.
  4. Rewards to aim for: Rewards, like we have spoken about before, are worth a certain amount of points. Include rewards that are valuable to them and remind them what they are aiming for. You can also include this on their goal sheet so they can see this reward to aim for, every day.

Reshaping Education

As teachers, we have a lot of work that needs to be done but it is possible. We are strong and dedicated people who create the next wave of humans for our society. Regardless of what age our students are, we have a choice not always to hold their hand, guide them, or baby them at times. It will change, it will take work, and it will time to shift our system, but we can do it.

See us next time on parent engagement and how they play a big part in their child’s education!