SA Observation: March 12, 2008

ST observation – Mar. 12, 2008

I think you needed to punctuate the start of the class a little more clearly. You did start to discuss the peer evaluation, but we’re about 5 minutes into the class already.

• You seemed to be a little sterner with Bonnie in the room. You were not quite as relaxed as you usually are.
• You took up a position at the back of the room – again this enabled you to watch the presentation and observe the entire class.
• The first presentation was quite effective. The students had clearly used their time effectively to produce a meaningful and perceptive presentation on Dystopian societies.
• “Will you please lead a discussion?” Perhaps you might encourage discussion by asking the group or the class a question that might elicit responses.
• I think you needed to provide a little more direction at the end of the presentation about peer evaluation. That will provide clearer punctuation between this presentation and the next one. Did you provide the class with enough “quiet time” to complete the evaluation?
• Energy in the class was positive.
• There was a little too much “down time” between the first presentation and the next one. You could have instructed the next group to get prepared while you were collecting the peer evaluations.
• While I don’t disagree with your decision to get the next group going, in spite of the fact that they did not have their material ready, the other option would have been to offer bonus marks for a group that was ready.
• The presentation from the previous group was still projected on the screen. This was distracting.
• The second group was presenting and there were people talking. You were up at the front of the room looking for a board marker; this was a little distracting. Too much movement!
• I think this was a good learning experience for the second group. I’m not sure it was as effective for the class as a whole.
• There were some who questioned the validity of “punishing” the two members of group two for not being prepared. I thought you could have used that as a real learning opportunity.
• You did manage to get the group focused again after the discussion on preparedness.
• You also provided clearer instructions on how students were to evaluate their peers.
• There is a little too much time where you’re up at the front of the class without providing guidance for the students.
• You needed to provide clearer closure for the end of the class. Even just to asking them to be quiet and then instructing them to move to the busses quickly.