Beyond File Folders:
Introducing Innovative Learning Activity Pockets in Education
I ended our last blog post with a quote from John Dewey ("We don't just learn from doing things; we learn from thinking about what we've done.") that brings reflection to the forefront of our professional practice. In this week’s post, I wanted to extend that thought to the instructional materials we use, specifically to the use of file folder activities for students with specialized learning needs.
To review, file folder activities are hands-on resources where students match, sort or categorize (not an exhaustive list) “visuals” (either images or words) and velcro them onto a laminated file folder.
File folders are a popular resource for three reasons:
1. File folder activities can be found for literally any educational/academic topic. A quick search of file folder activities on a popular online teacher marketplace yielded over 41,000 results! An educator will probably find an activity that “matches” (no pun intended) the learning expectation they are focusing on.
2. Cost effective! When a price filter of “under $5” was applied to the search result of over 41,000, over 31,000 matches were found! Finding educational resources for “under $5” would be considered a “steal” in today’s day and age, but buyer beware!
3. Easy to use/convenient – Everything fits in a file folder! Students simply open the folder and start working. Speaking first-hand as a teacher, many of us in the profession like to keep and reuse resources. With all the resources and activities that teachers buy (with their own money!), storage is critical! Apparently, teachers are the number one buyer of storage containers in the whole world. I’m kidding but you get my point – file folders really don’t take up too much space and can be easily stored when not in use.
But in the spirit of John Dewey and reflecting on the instructional materials we use, let’s explore some inherent drawbacks of file folder activities.
1. Static arrangement of visuals = memorization NOT learning: Once file folders are laminated the arrangement of responses are static. And once students know where the correct answers are (i.e., memorized), active scanning stops and students simply place the visuals down. With the static arrangement of pieces, having a student complete the same file folder activity would be akin to completing the exact same worksheet. Some argue that students completing the same file folder activity helps develop fluency in their skills – I’d agree, they are developing their fluency in completing that specific file folder activity but to say they are becoming fluent across their skill set is unfounded. The ‘workaround’ of the static arrangement issue is to simply make more file folders. While this may solve the problem, the amount of work and resources needed to get around this workaround is quite significant!
2. Low upfront cost = big back-end costs: There’s always a catch! If a deal sounds too good to be true – it is! While file folders are cheap to download, the savings end there. There are two hidden costs that are not factored into the use of file folders: 1. Material cost to create the file folder activity and 2. The time cost. Consider the following: velcro costs, lamination, file folders, and printing ink-rich graphics. Now comes your time! – The amount of time needed to create 1 file folder activity is unreal. You need to print, cut, glue, laminate. And you must create the cards that are velcroed to the file folder activity – the cards are typically ink-rich graphics that need to be laminated, cut and velcroed. Again, all this is done on your own time and all you get is 1 activity. So yes, you may get a quite a bit or $5.00 dollars, but the material and time cost make it truly a time and money sucker!
3. Organizational nightmare bad dream – Yes, file folders are easy to use and convenient BUT, the visual cards can become easily lost. Storage for the cards tend to be an afterthought. I’ve seen educators, clip baggies or glue an envelope on the back. Others will leave the visuals within the folder. They all work, but pieces easily get lost. Another issue that tends to creep up is the visual cards are specific to the file folder activity which means you would need to create additional sets of visual cards for each the different file folder activity.
So, what’s an educator supposed to do?
Well, if file folders are working for you and your students, then continue to use them!
If you want to invigorate and diversify your practice, add Learning Activity Pockets into the mix!
Learning Activity Pockets (LAPs) are our contribution, created to overcoming some of the inherent issues of file folder activities. Our goal was to create a resource that supported the needs of educators and students.
So, how do LAPs overcome the challenges found in file folder activities?
LAPs promote Active Learning Over Rote Memorization: By adding different inserts into the learning pocket, students have to actively scan the insert to find the correct answer. Students continually see a different arrangement of items – this is real practice. This small change will have a huge impact on learning. Gone are the days of rote memorization!
Money and Time-Saver: We understand the value of your time and money. Our LAP kits are ready-made! All materials are pre-laminated and cut, and our learning pockets are pre-made, ready to roll right out of the box. No more endless cutting and laminating marathons. All you do is print, insert and teach! Your wallet and your watch will thank you! Another cool fact = each insert is equal to one file folder activity – our kits come with an extensive number of inserts!
Differentiate with Ease: Each LAP Kit comes with 5 different learning pockets. Different pockets equals a different number of responses – differentiation made easy! And with an extensive digital download with a variety of activities, the sky’s the limit to customize your teaching.
It’s 2023 – almost 2024! Why spend time creating resources when we’ll do it for you! It’s time to shake things up!
Add value!
Save time!
Save money!
Check out our kits and join the ranks of educators who are stepping boldly into the future of educational resources.
Let's embrace innovation and make learning not just a task, but an adventure!