If you're a regular reader of this blog, then you know that I work with teachers to help them create strong curricular units that engage students and promote transfer.
Since most of the work that I do with teachers spans across several weeks, it can seem disjointed and disconnected. I wanted a way to connect with teachers between visits. I knew that there would need to be specific feedback and nonverbal cues for this to be successful.
So, I tried using Educreations to narrate my ideas about teachers' units in progress. At first, I started to grow frustrated because teachers weren't using the information to revise and rethink their units. What was I doing wrong?
Well, as it turns out, I forgot that feedback also requires TIME FOR REVISION. About a week ago, the teachers had an entire "work day" to refine and write units. Without any prompting frome me, almost everyone started the session by opening up their feedback videos! Score!
After reviewing the feedback I'd provided (the second or third viewing for many), the units began to improve. The questions that arose were deeper and more pointed than before. Having specific feedback, delivered at an individualized pace, really moved the process forward.
Time is just as important as feedback when it comes to improvement. In the fast paced life of education, that can be easy to forget.
Here is a sample feedback video sequence if you're interested:
FIRST SUBMISSION:
SECOND SUBMISSION:
CC Photo Credit: One Way by Lincolnian
This is awesome, I will be sharing this with my high school teachers!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words. I hope all is well with you!
ReplyDeleteI am reading and learning during this summer, what could be better for my personal knowledge and my students and teachers in the fall:) What videocast resource did you use? They were clear, concise, and provided very helpful guidance for teachers.
ReplyDeleteI used www.educreations.com to make the videos. It is free, and it works on iPads and computers. I highly recommend it!
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