Let Students Take the Lead in Their Learning

Sometimes the best way to understand what a student knows is to give them the chance to teach it themselves.

That’s the idea behind a Student-Teacher Switch—a creative custom reward Practice Space teachers are using to flip the traditional lesson format and let students lead the way.

With this reward, students can cash in their Practice Gems for the chance to take on the teacher role during their next lesson. It’s a fun and insightful activity that not only engages students but also deepens their learning in surprising ways.

Why It Works

Deepens Understanding
To teach a concept, students must understand it first. Preparing to lead a lesson helps them reflect, organize their thoughts, and reinforce what they’ve learned.

Reveals Learning Gaps
Watching your student explain or demonstrate a concept gives you a clear picture of their strengths—and areas that need more attention.

Builds Confidence
Taking the lead in a lesson helps students feel more capable and confident. They get to show off what they know in a playful, low-pressure way.

Strengthens Relationships
Giving your student the spotlight is a meaningful gesture. It builds trust and reinforces the idea that learning is a collaborative journey.

How to Set It Up in Practice Space

1. Create a Custom Reward
   In your Practice Space admin dashboard, go to ‘Store,’ and select ‘Add New’ in the Custom Reward tab. Name it “Be the Teacher” or “Student-Teacher Switch,” or whatever you’d like!

2. Set Clear Guidelines
   Let students know what it means to lead the lesson. Will they explain a concept, guide a warm-up, or show how they’re practicing a piece? You can be flexible or create a simple structure.

3. Choose a Gem Value
   Assign a Practice Gem value that encourages students to work toward it. For example, 100 Gems might represent a few weeks of steady practice. Here you can also set the amount of times a student is allowed to purchase the item.

4. Select an Image
   Choose an image to represent the item in your store - get creative with it. Or, you can use this image we created!
   

The Student-Teacher Switch is more than a reward—it’s a teaching tool. It allows your students to actively demonstrate what they understand, makes practice more collaborative, and adds a burst of fun to your studio routine.

If you're looking for a new way to engage your students and gain meaningful insight into their learning, give this idea a try!