Spending this first month of the school year doing distance learning has made it hard for me to evaluate my own teaching. The measurable data I had from class interactions previously, doesn’t exist anymore and this can lead to self doubt as a teacher. This can (and does) lead to taking every comment about our teaching as more valuable.
I recently had a conversation about one of the classes that I teach that I believe is going really well. Very well considering that it is via distance learning. The conversation didn’t include what I believed was happening. I discovered that the virtual world is more isolating and invisible than when someone could come into the class and see learning in action. What is visible to the outside world (those excluding the teacher and students) is a Schoology page. The conversations via zoom have been and gone, the laughs and “now I get it” moments have been left in the virtual realm. Sadly my impression to the outside world is minimal.
This week after hearing voices in my mind questioning whether I am a good teacher, I decided to do something about it. This isn’t new or revolutionary. In fact it’s a requirement as a teacher here at Carondelet. I did class surveys asking what items helped the students learn new concepts and what parts of my class have and haven’t been successful for learning (Schoology included). Simply I went to the source to find out whether my self doubt was accurate.
I know you’re wondering what my students said. Before I tell you I invite you to ask your students too. They see you every week and know all the hard work you’re doing. The responses that I received that were about all their classes expressed an appreciation that every teacher is truly doing his/her best.
So the results came in. Simply I can tell you that my students don’t see my as a non-effective teacher, one that is unclear about what he is teaching, or even as someone who doesn’t care. My most positive response was that they feel that I am approachable. That is huge for me. It has actually been my most positive evaluation from students in regards to helping them (in teaching and assessing) to be successful students. The written comments were positive, especially the ones that were specific to me. My favourite was “I really enjoy how you do distance learning.” Also a shout out to Ms. Orr, Mr. Ward and Mr. Buckles that students gave praise to on their online teaching. Basically my students expressed that they are happy, they are learning, and that what they do in class is valuable.
I finished teaching my last period on Friday and I’m thankful to have positive voices in my mind acknowledging that I am doing a good job in the classroom. I hope you take the time to hear from the students and take those same positive words to heart.
Thanks for sharing about the self-doubt and questioning that come with teaching, especially in this new normal. I can relate. You've inspired me to get my survey ready for Thursday/Friday so that I can base my teaching on more than my own assumptions or guesses.
Adam,
Keeping close contact is not an easy task with online teaching. Here are some things I do to enhance personal contact.
1. I greet every student individually as they come online. I ask each one a simple question or comment on something I see in their room or tell them something about myself or the subject. Something to make that one-to-one contact. This usually gets a smile from even the grumpiest and sleepiest students.
2. I split the class in half. Half comes the first half of the period and half comes the second half. I reverse the order each class so no one is alway first or last. This way I can easily see everyone and maintain that all important personal contact.
3. I divide each class into teams. For every new project each team selects a new leader until all team members get a chance to be leader. When we go to breakout rooms, we do it by teams. Leaders really enjoy taking control and leading the teams. Some of my best conversations with students have been in the team breakout rooms.
4. Every other week each class has “Friday Feedback.” Each student gets to tell what she liked and disliked during the past two weeks. They also get to add a random thought. The random thought is where I learn most about what is on their minds. I answer each student’s Friday Feedback. This takes about two hours each weekend, but is well worth the effort.
I am sure many teachers do these sorts of things. Maybe there might be something in this you have not tried.
I must say I feel really sorry for the students. They seem so tired and bored. When school becomes the most exciting thing in their lives, you know these are not good times for the students.
Adam, thanks for your post. I have given my first Unit and distance learning survey, and – like you – I was pleasantly surprised that the vast majority of my students feel like the content is accessible and that they. understand my expectations. Those "positive voices" you spoke off are really nice to see and read.