One of the best ways to get better as a teacher is through observations. Opportunities often abound in preservice settings to observe Master teachers, different grade levels, subjects, and even …..But once you become a teacher, that time becomes more difficult to schedule. Between full class loads and common planning periods, new teachers are often more overwhelmed and unable to continue those observations.
One method that consistently works, and provides deep insight into the current status of a teacher’s class is recording or videoing the lesson. Not only does this method allow you to see what you are doing well, but it also lets you determine areas to improve. And the best part of this observation method is that it is your class and your teaching which means you will be able to get the upmost benefit from the observation.
So, what can you learn from recorded video of your teaching?
Checking for Understanding
While you are in the midst of a lesson, you know it is essential to consistently check for student understanding of the content. And you build time into the lesson to achieve this. You think. Recording and watching the video allows you to see how that check regularly occurs and if the students are truly understanding the concept being taught.
Wait Time
Once a question is asked in the classroom, teachers often know to account for an appropriate amount of wait-time before calling on a student to answer. This gives students time to think on the question and formulate a solid answer. But once the pace of a lesson picks up, it can be difficult to ensure that wait-time is long enough, particularly when you have one or two students who “get” the lesson quicker than others. A video allows you to observe how long your average wait-time in between questions and answers.
Including All Students in Learning
Along with that same concept is ensuring all students are engaged in the lesson and actively learning. When kids are excited about a topic, they can jump in and eagerly answer questions. Although we love seeing this as educators, it can sometimes occur to the detriment of other students. When one or two students monopolize answering the questions, or even a larger amount of students, quieter students can often get lost in the shuffle. A video allows you to see if this is occurring.
Monitoring and observing great teaching is a critical element of being a great teacher. But those observations do not have to be scheduled and conducted only with Master teachers. Taking the time to hear your own voice and observe what is occurring in your own classroom is equal, if not more, important.
