I know that whatever we will do, it will be beneficial. However, as someone suggested, going over things that are actually working in our classes might have added benefit for each of us.
I know that there are some things that I try that just don't seem to work at all. Some times I will ask trusted students to give me feedback on how to make it work better.
An example that took place this past week in my advanced class was that I wanted to have a test on Friday, but most of the students were behind on a project we were trying to complete. So, instead of reviewing on Thursday and testing on Friday, I allowed them to come up with the plan for the class for a few days.
Instead of the review, I allowed the students to break the unit down into questions. Each group was given a section of the unit to cover and submitted seven questions each. The rest of the class they worked on their projects.
I took those questions that night and created a study guide of 26 questions that might be included on the test. The next day, Friday, I gave them the study guide with the idea that they would complete it in class, if they were done with their project or they could take it home and do it over the weekend and use Friday to complete their projects.
That worked out great for the class. Though we did have to test on a Monday, something I hate to do, they chose it. It was their plan and I felt like it was a good exercise for all of us, for me to step back and allow them some control over their learning, which isn't a bad thing I don't think, and for them to step up and come up with a plan that worked for everyone in the class. We had a good five minute debate in class about the pros and cons of different proposals that was very good, I felt.
As young teachers, sometimes we become isolated and don't know what's going on in other rooms around us. But we have kids that are in those rooms every single day and they will gladly tell you what they like and don't and how to make something work better for them. You might as well use that resource.
Anyway, talking about things that work in our classes would be my suggestion.
I do the same thing with my classes. I like to ask a few of them how I could improve on a lesson. I also like to get their feedback after a long project to see what they liked, didn't like, and/or how the project could be improved. I think it is important to get student feedback, after all, they ARE the one's performing the activities/projects.
ReplyDeleteGood idea Tuck! I'll have to try that next semester.
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