Promote and cultivate learner organization
Organization may be a challenge for learners across age groups. Though today’s learners are perceived as digital natives, they still require intentionally designed digital learning spaces to support organization and consistency. Intentionally structured digital learning environments aid learner organization, and promote accessibility for diverse learners. Clearly organized digital learning environments bridge school to home to ensure learners and their caregivers have easy access to materials and assessments. Once learners are introduced to digital organizational tools, they are empowered to utilize them to further cultivate their independence.
Organization is part of the skill set within executive functioning. To learn more, read Executive functioning: What is executive function?
Leverage the following Microsoft tools to promote organization for learners:
Microsoft Teams: Establish a customized digital hub for learners with Teams. Using features such as channels, assignments, and announcements, educators create digital systems that promote consistency for all learners. Digital routines are foundational to aid diverse learners with developing time management skills to meet expectations.
OneNote: With the digital notebook OneNote, learners’ access notes and academic content from any device at any time. OneNote simplifies organization for learners across content and ages with customizable sections and pages. OneNote reduces the burden of requiring learners to remember papers and individual notebooks.
Planner: Educators and learners create personalized lists with concrete action steps with Planner. For many learners with diverse needs, identifying actionable next steps are critical to promoting independence and academic success.
To Do: Promote learners’ independence and foster their role in managing their organization with To Do. With this application, learners access all academic tasks assigned to them through planner. Learners also create their own academic and personal lists.
Remember to introduce the digital learning environment like any classroom structure or procedure. Recording video tutorials on how materials are organized and stored digitally promotes additional access and understanding for learners and the caregivers that support their learning outside the classroom. There're many ways to support organization. Here're 42 ways to help messy kids organize their school work from the OT Toolbox.