Sakina Bharmal TGES My WALO 1 Getting feedback on my teaching practice from my Grade 9 students in an informal setting (lunch sessions)

I have always felt I am responsible to all the stakeholders, but most importantly, the students. I impact them every day. I meet them on daily basis. Whatever I do in the class shapes them as individuals. Being a role model, it is important for me to be accountable for a relationship that helps me modify my current practices. My dilemma: Initially, I thought this would be easy to do. Organizing a lunch meeting would be an easy way to get a feedback. But after thinking for a while, I realized, I should structure it. But was contemplating as to how I should go about it. Laura and Ben did guide me as to how I should go aboutBut I was still thinking..Could not think of an appropriate processdays passed by Then, I had a talk with Shekhar ( Mr Hardikar) about it. We discussed from why I wanted to work on this WALO to what extent students can give and are capable of giving authentic feedback. In our earlier attempts we have seen students not taking feedback tool as a learning tool and results of feedback swayed drastically for some of us. We had a long discussion about feedback process in our school-how authentic it is? Are students honest enough to give feedback or do they see this as an opportunity to point out faults in a teacher. Are our students trained to give feedback? Will they become very casual? Should I have all 35 students together or split it into boys and girls group? After one of our Wednesday meeting (All LSP participants meet every Wed to share our learnings during the week), I and Mr.Hardikar sat together to brainstorm as to how we can go about it so that I achieve my desired result. Finally we decided on two things: one -teach them to how to reflect and two- teach them how to give a feedback. We called the students during lunch hour the next day. We decided to conduct the session together. I recommended we follow a protocol so that the students value time and we are within our timeframe. We decided to video record the session. (The unedited video link will be up on my DP soon) The process: Day 1: We started the session with dividing the students in 4 groups and asked them these two questions: What is the role of a mirror? What is reflection?

The connection was more with their learning in classroom

It was then followed by these questions: Mention five qualities you would like in a teacher (individually) Then the group was asked to discuss and come up with five qualities as a group. Each group came up with five qualities they agreed upon in a teacher.

Then the students were asked to reflect.they had to list qualities in an ideal studentthey listed the qualities a student should have and then which qualities to the class actually possess. The session ended all the students handing over the piece of paper with qualities they think I have as a teacher. The qualities that they feel I possess were: Approachable Interactive Use creative methods of teaching Communicative Understanding Expert in her field/teaching skills Friendly Day 2 After re grouping them again, the session began with the following questions When do you give a feedback? What type of question would you ask to get a feedback? Three suggestions for Sakina Maam to improve her teaching methodology.

All the groups came up with constructive suggestions like: I should include More hands on in the class, Use interactive methods Make the class environment lighter Make connections with the outside world Liberal on discipline Day 3 This last session was focused on reflection What is reflection? Why it is important to reflect? Students were asked to list five things they wish to achieve five things they want to learn from me As the term end exams are approaching, most of them want easy ways to prepare for the exam to achieve good grades. Apart from the subject preparations, they wish to learn from me -how I handle large groups so confidently, presentation skills, time management, being independent, make good PowerPoint presentations, planning and organizing skills.

What did I learn by finding out how students experience my teaching? Collecting feedback during the term end provided me the information that can be useful right away, while summative examination is scheduled in last week of October. The feedback helped me to:
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Identify the areas in my subject(s) that students find helpful, as well as students perceptions of obstacles to learning. Gave me a more informed basis for making decisions while I am still teaching the course. Opened the lines of communication with students who otherwise do not volunteer their comments I realized that individual student comments that stand out from the rest still need to be considered, but they should be understood in the context of the common theme. Student responses may be inconsistent or even conflicting. For example, some may report that they benefit from reading aloud in class, but others say this method is unhelpful. Knowing this range of student perceptions helped me see how students are experiencing the class differently and gave me insight into students diverse learning needs. I appreciated their honesty of giving feedback in my presence. They were honest enough to reflect about their own behavior in class .But there was a distinct difference in the suggestions given by boys and girls.

But questions that came to my mind were Were they honest because of the process we choose or they are like that. Would they have given the same feedback otherwise as well?! On the other hand, I am glad the feedback session has also created opportunity to clarify my expectations for the class, and open doors for further dialogue with students about their learning. In the process I learned how to reflect too.

My next steps I am going to consider student inputs and find ways to help align student expectations with my teaching and subject goals. I have noted students positive feedback, and will let them know I will continue to do what is working well. I will incorporate their recommendations and make the class environment a little lighter and incorporate more activities into my teaching. I am rethinking on my LSP project to make it more meaningful for my students.