For his first post that I commented on, he focuses on effective feedback - so applicable to EDM310! He basically says everything that Dr. Strange told us about feedback. It is obviously (if you don't know the answer already, click that little X at one of the top corners of the screen) that we need to compliment the good things first with enthusiasm, but afterwards, make sure to comment on the bad things... Basically trying not to step on any toes because no one likes that apparently.
Of course I agreed with him, and I know I don't like for someone to be so negative when they look at my work. Usually when someone just bashes my work, it sort of pisses me off to be honest, but if they compliment on the good then the bad afterwards, it helps result in less ego damage.
For his second post, he said basically that all new teachers are going to make mistakes. The main thing to take from this is that we need to learn from our mistakes and improve ourselves (duh?). Just "reflect" on your experiences and improve! The main difference between a novice teacher and a master is "intentionality", he says. We need to intend to do good, and apparently the only way you can do that is with experience.
I commented and said that I do agree with him when he says that we need to all learn from our mistakes. Surprisingly, this is not the first time that I have been told that. . . Anyways, I said I also disagree that new teachers can't do good things on purpose. That is just rubbish!
Zack,
ReplyDeleteWith respect to feedback, there is much more to it than just making sure you sugarcoat the bad with some compliments.
What I'm talking about is pointing out the specific things students (or new teachers) are doing WELL, so they know what to build upon. Then, as a learner becomes more experienced, those coaching them can begin to point out more of their errors.
Too often, teachers just tell students what they are doing wrong. If this happens too early in the learning process, it can give a learner the sense that he or she is "bad" at topic/ skill X.
Zack
ReplyDeleteI think you really missed my point on the post about intentionality. Probably because I was a bit vague in my post.
First of all, I fully agree that new teachers can do good things and do them on purpose. Yet, I don't think they necessarily always grasp the depth of the reasons for it being a good move.
I also, don't think that experienced teachers have better intentions than new teachers. Rather, many (not all) have a greater spectrum of tools in their toolbox and a broader range of patterns they have experienced in the past. They have the ability to diagnose a need (in a student or whole class), select the appropriate next step, and prescribe the appropriate solution.
I also don't think all experienced teachers are good teachers. Many repeat their 1st year of teaching over and over again because they don't reflect critically on the past to inform the future. This is both a skill and a mindset.
By the way - a blog is an outstanding way to reflect!