October 2017 – Page 7

Feedback Study Task

On your own in front of a classroom of children, there is no way to truly know how you are coming across to your students. You can know the theory in and out, but it can be easy to let that slip – for instance lose your calm and to raise your voice unnecessarily and … Continue reading “Feedback Study Task”

This is where observation comes in. Be that via a small, discreet video camera in the corner of the room or a peer or mentor in the class room, observation by a neutral third party is the only way to take an objective look at our teaching practice.

Optimally we will have both. There are things an observer may miss, or the observed party could have had a reason for doing something a certain way which could be a useful point of discussion in a feedback session – for instance in the video of the observed Year 5 teacher he was able to explain that he interacted with an individual a certain way because he is familiar with the student. This opened an important discussion between the teacher and his mentor. In this instance the teacher was an ideal recipient of the feedback because although he did not initially agree with his mentor’s assessment of the situation, they reviewed the video and he took what she said on board. He then went on to implement her suggestion in the classroom. It would have not been possible to have such an effective feedback session if either the mentor or the video camera had not been present in the class.

It is important to give feedback and not judgement. Feedback must include things that the person is doing well in their practice to give them the opportunity to build on these strengths but also to hopefully leave the person more open to receiving criticism on an area they may have work to do – even offering realistic suggestions for their practice (Cottrell, 2013). Judgement, on the other hand, would be an unhelpful condemnation on the observed party. Comments on something that the observed cannot change are not productive feedback.

I found it interesting to see the “palm up” body language that we have seen in previous tasks put into practice when the teacher in the first video was talking to a small group of his Year 5 students. I am looking forward to placement because I am keen to receive feedback on my areas for improvement when communicating.

Reflection and Feedback

Today we have been thinking about self reflection and feedback in preparation for our first school placement in two weeks time. This is an area I find largely uncomfortable and certainly one that currently makes me nervous. It has been interesting to watch feedback sessions take place with two teachers. It has given me some […]

It has been interesting to watch feedback sessions take place with two teachers. It has given me some idea of the sorts of observations that someone may make of me. However, it also strengthens the knowledge of the sorts of observations I will need to make of my placement partner. Furthermore, through watching these videos today I have a much deeper understanding of the benefits of feedback and self evaluation.

Before today I would have been dismissive of recording myself in a classroom setting to reflect upon later. However it is clear to see that watching myself teach would allow me to see things happening in my classroom that I may miss while it is happening (in a good and bad way). Also, while I may feel that I come across to pupils in a certain way, watching a video of myself would allow me to re-evaluate verbal and non verbal communications which may be causing concern or confusion. Reflecting upon my own practice in this way will allow me to move forward in the right direction with my teaching.

Sue Cowley observed a third year student in the second of the videos we watched today. There was a lot to observe both good and bad about the practice of the teacher and Sue gave constructive criticisms and guidance to allow the teacher to better his practice with his class. In a group we discussed the video and found that we had very similar views to each other of the practices of the teacher. One difference of opinion that we did have was surrounding the teacher choosing to send three members of his class away from the main part of the class to sort out an argument they have been having over lunchtime. I felt that it was good to see the teacher care for the well-being of the children in this way. However other members of my group felt that this should have been left at the door of the classroom in order to not disrupt the learning for the whole class. Upon reflection, I can understand this stance and it will be something I carry forward with me.

There is now only two weeks left until I go on my first placement. I am nervous about the experience. Knowing where I am going and who I am paired with has lessened my nerves to an extent though. I am very interested to be within a school outwith the area that I live in and also one that is very small. I am intrigued by the logistics involved in a school with only two classes. The website for the school is informative and shows me that they are a busy vibrant school which I am looking forward to finding out more about.

Feedback – Independent Task 16/10/17

Feedback is highly important when it comes to reflecting on your practice. Reflecting is a major part of teaching and is embedded throughout, e.g. during an inservice day. Peer assessment and recording yourself are great ways to get feedback. The … Continue reading →

The first video I found highly informative. I learned that feedback also allows people to be positive about themselves, as reflection doesn’t always have to be negative. It also gives people the opportunity to develop their practice, and have someone that they can talk to that they trust. My partner also added that feedback from other individuals allows people to pick up on things you might have missed in your own self-evaluation. In addition, this can highlight something you might think you’re doing right, but from another person’s perspective it could be seen differently (EDCHAT, 2013).

The second video was interesting. I found it interesting as the woman providing help to the teacher gave him an affective way to quieten children and bring their attention back to him after a group discussion (putting his finger on his nose) (Behaviour2Learn, 2011). I will use similar strategies when I am a qualified teacher. After the discussion with my partner we highlighted that he had some pros and some cons. Some of the things we felt he did well was he appears to use different languages in the classroom to say good morning, which promotes literacy and modern languages. However, we feel that often he displayed negative body language, e.g. in one scene he can be seen standing in front of the class with his arms folded or when marking the register he is sat down at his desk and he doesn’t make eye contact with any of the children (Behaviour2Learn, 2011). Interestingly my partner and I disagreed that he uses an appropriate pace when speaking, I felt that he did use an appropriate pace whereas my partner somewhat disagreed.

The last video provided me with some insight. Recording yourself allows you reflect as it provides you with a realistic view of the session and gives you the opportunity to learn from your mistakes. Bill Gates states:
“If all my bridge coach ever told me that I was “satisfactory”, I would have no hope of ever getting better” (TED Talks Education, 2013). I think this nicely highlights the importance of feedback. Feedback provides motivation for people to become better, and to strive for ‘perfection’. It also allows you to develop a variety of skills such as classroom management and teaching strategies. In addition, it allows people to see what is essential to being a teacher, and helps others not only ourselves understand what it is like to be a teacher (TED Talks Education, 2013).

Overall my partner and I mainly agreed with our observations and comments; however we did have a few differences. I have learned a few new reasons as to why reflection is important, and that recording yourself is a highly affective way to reflect and get feedback. I enjoyed this task and I am looking forward to placement!

Reference List

Behaviour2Learn (2011) Behaving With Cowley – Classroom Routines [Online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v5UVdyu8Y4&feature=youtu.be (Accessed 16th October 2017).

EDCHAT (2013) Relationships for Learning – Effective Feedback [Online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWBW_cbP86Q&feature=youtu.be (Accessed 16th October 2017).

TED Talks Education (2013) BILL GATES: Teachers need real feedback [Online] Available at: https://www.ted.com/talks/bill_gates_teachers_need_real_feedback#t-70065 (Accessed 16th October).

Observation, self-evaluation and communication skills – independent task

In this independent study task, we had to look at observation, self-evaluation and communication skills. This allowed me to think about the way in which I want myself to be portrayed in my upcoming placement. While observing the year 3 teacher on his normal daily routine I used the observation checklist that we will be using in placement to observe the teachers communication skills, after conferring with a partner and comparing notes we agreed on pretty much everything but the one thing we didn’t agree on completely was that I thought the teacher was lacking authority , although this is a good thing that he has a friendly approach sometimes children can over step the mark and not behave as well as they see him as a friend instead of a teacher. Whereas, my partner thinks this is the best way to be as children will be more relaxed in the class so are more likely to enjoy lessons and pay attention if they have a good relationship with the teacher.

I found these tasks okay, I did find them helpful as it makes you more aware of the things that you may do but don’t notice until someone else then sees this. Helped make me more aware to self-observe to ensure I am doing the best that I can. I enjoyed watching about the American teacher who records her lessons to look back and reflect on. Although this isn’t something that I would personally do to reflect I see how It could work for others.

I am aware of the boundaries that should be set between teachers and pupils and it is all about finding that balance of having authority but also to be seen as a role model and someone the pupils can approach If they need help or want someone to talk to. I am nervous about placement as it is something completely different to what I am used to but also excited about actually putting the theory into practice and gaining experience.

Self-Evaluation study task

During this independent study task based on observations, self-evaluation and communication skills, I feel as though I have gained more knowledge on what I wish to be like during my time on placement and as a teacher in future years. After watching the Year 3 teacher who was being observed by Sue Cowley I compared what I had written down with a partner, although we had some of the same content gathered from this video, we also had different things wrote down which the other one of us never picked up on. For example, my praise after watching this teacher was that he had a friendly approach with the children, this meaning they will feel comfortable around him and be able to trust him, along with this they will have a sense of respect for him. However, I felt as though sometimes he never portrayed as much authority as what he should have, due to this sometimes the children were distracted and were never told to participate more or told to stop messing around.

Something that surprised me about this self-study task was that often we fall into a trap of doing and saying things which we think are okay, but when we look back it may have not been the best thing to do at that time. When watching the video on the teacher looking back on a recording of her teaching it made me more aware that often we are unaware of everything that has happened in a day, so often we forget crucial elements. It was interesting to see a teacher recording herself to look back on and I was very surprised this happened, as I personally haven’t seen anything like this before. However, I think it is a great way to look back and reflect.

I feel as though this self-study task has made me more self-aware and has showed me certain aspects I want to take forward and some I should try and avoid when out on placement. For example, how it is nice to be friendly with the pupils, but there also should be a professional barrier too. Overall, watching videos of teachers with their classes makes me excited to start placement to get involved within the practical side of things.

Printing, Drama & Garage Band

VISUAL ARTS The visual arts section focused on the painting; Windows in the West (1993) by Avril Paton. This painting was created using watercolours and paper. Paton (2017) took inspiration from a personal memory that she had of snow and the feeling it gave … Continue reading →

Importance of Self-Evaluation

Both mine and Shannon’s thoughts on the strengths and areas for improvement of the student teacher in the video were similar. We noted that although he mostly had an open and positive body language. He got down to the children’s level for storytelling and made eye contact with a boy he was asking a specific question to. However, he also had some closed body language also. For example I noticed he crossed his arms and Shannon noted he put his hand under his chin a lot- as though bored or disinterested in the lesson.

Nothing in the videos or my partners comments particularly surprised me. However, I did find the fact that the teacher in the last video recorded her class lessons quite interesting. I think this would be quite a good way of being able to fully reflect on your practice as you can watch it back and take notes on anything you would do differently next time.

I didn’t find the tasks too challenging, although I think that when I am actually on placement I might find it more difficult. This is because I will have to assess a peer that I know and do not want to offend. I think that I will have to work to find the best way of giving my opinion without it sounding too critical.

I am looking forward to placement, but I am also a bit nervous to be going out. I am excited to find out what the school, pupils, and my mentor are like and to be in the environment I will be in when I qualify and have my own class in 4 years.

The importance of self-evaluation

After watching the videos and completing the observation checklist myself and Emily discussed what we had both taken from the videos. We had both noted similar points in regards to body language, the teacher had mainly open body language, he got down to the children’s level when speaking to them and sat with them at their tables which seemed to provide a more inclusive and accessible learning experience for the children. We both noted at times he did however appear to close himself for from the children with his body language however we both had a different example of this. I noted that he often put his hand, in a fist, up to his chin which could come across as boredom, Emily noted he sometimes crossed his arms, another sign of closed body language. We both found that he spoke at an adequate volume and pace however at times, as the lady who was assessing him at the end of the video pointed out sometimes standing up in certain situations would gain him more attention form the children so he could start his lesson quicker.

I found the idea of the teacher videoing herself fin the Bill Gates video surprising. However, after listening to her talk about this being her tool of self-reflection I think it is a really great way to self-assess, look at your own body language, voice, tone, every part of your teaching and the engagement of the class in different aspect so you can then reflect and improve on this for future lessons.

I enjoyed this task and as it was a video online I did not find it too difficult however it will be much harder within a classroom setting with children and assessing a peer as everybody wants to give positive feedback however on some occasions constructive feedback is also necessary for your own and your peers own progression in teaching.

I am really looking forward to placement and can’t wait to be back in the school environment and learn from both the children and the teachers/ all the staff in the school. I am a little nervous about all the placement tasks we have to do and ensuring these are all done to a high quality however I am sure there will be plenty of opportunity for observations in all the various areas.

Farm Visits- Learning Log

This week’s class focused on learning about the theme of interdependence and instead of the normal class timetable including a lecture and workshop, we got to visit and compare two different farms. I found the two dairy farms to be very different in they way in which they work even though the end product is … Continue reading “Farm Visits- Learning Log”

Strandhead dairy farm relied a lot more on technology than Mossgiel farm, it was seen as a modern, ‘state of the art’ dairy farm . In this farm, they used machines to milk the cows, gather the food and deliver the food them. I found this really interesting and eye-opening as I never though that technology could be used in so many ways throughout a dairy farm. I think i always had the typical thought that the farmers did it all by hand but with the progression of technology showed me otherwise. The farmer informed us that the cows don’t actually go outside and are kept inside all year round. I found this fact shocking at first as normally you tend to see cows outdoors, however the farmer explained to us that their farmland is extremely impacted on by the harsh weather conditions and therefore it is healthier and better that the cows are kept inside. He also explained to us that the cows are not forced to milk at points of the day, instead they are able to go to the milking area whenever they wanted to. The cows would go one at a time and whilst the cows were being milked, they were also screened to see if they were lacking in any nutrients and if so they would then be incorporated into their food/diet. When walking around the farm and listening to the farmers, it was clear to see that animal welfare was at the heart of what this dairy farm does.

Mossgiel farm was a more natural, organic, family-run farm. This particular farm supports local producers and the local produce is said to be a ‘rare find’ (Mossgiel Farm, 2017). This dairy farm, for me, was what i envisioned a ‘typical’ farm to look like. This farm was different from the other farm in various ways. One way in particular was that instead of electronics controlling the milking process it was done manually by the farmer and therefore mean that more than one cow could me milked at the same time. Also, the cows are actually kept outside for the majority of the year in this farm and only really come indoors in the terrible winter months. Mossgiel farm strives to produce natural and ethical food and in my opinion it looks like they are doing that extremely well as well as ensuring that the animals are well cared for.

After visiting both farms and reflecting on the days events, I did notice that both farms did have something in common. This was that the cows were kept separate from the calves. The calves were kept in different pens from their mother. Both farms explained that the reason for this, is that it can give the calves the best start in life. I found this particularly interesting, as i always thought the calves would be kept with their mothers almost like a baby is kept with their mother after birth.

Today’s class was very informative and interesting, it showed me that there are numerous ways of creating milk and that every farm can do this differently. It also opened my eyes to how I could teach a lesson like this in the classroom and that a trip to a farm could be extremely useful for children to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills of how dairy products come from a cow but end up in shelves in supermarkets.

References:

De Boer Housing Systems, (2017). Robert Veitch, Strandhead Farm Open Day. [Available: http://www.deboerhousing.com/blog/30-robert-veitch-strandhead-farm-open-day] [Accessed: 15th October 2017]

Mossgiel Farm, (2017). Mossgiel Farm. [Available: http://mossgielfarm.co.uk/] [Accessed: 15th October 2017]

Sustainable Development – Learning Log/Directed study 2

This weeks theme was on climate change. First of all in the lecture we went through what climate change was. According to the lecture PowerPoint climate is the average weather at a given point and time of year, over a period of typically around thirty years. We expect for the weather to change however for … Continue reading “Sustainable Development – Learning Log/Directed study 2”