Apprenticeship: Self-Observation and Reflection
Throughout my practicum observations as an apprentice during the TESOL and B.Ed program from, I found that ‘Self-Observation’ is one of the most important aspects I have learned. Utmost importantly, I monitored my learning through a checklist completed by my mentors through my various practicums. This checklist included professional traits, skills, knowledge an understanding. My mentor evaluated me on categories such as:
1. Ability to effectively communicate with students
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of curriculum
3. Classroom management strategies
4. Professional conduct – dress code and time management
5. Effective implementation of formative assessment and summative evaluations
6. Inclusive education: recognizing socio-economic, linguist and cultural backgrounds to promote diversity and equality in the classroom
7. Planning a variety of lessons and incorporating technology
I was grateful to have feedback from my experienced mentors. I would review the checklist as an opportunity to self-reflect and self-observe my areas of strength and possible areas for improvement.I would like to share the following quote from our textbook on the importance of reflecting on the personal teaching experiences, rather than ‘collecting descriptions of teaching:’
“Fanselow (1988) highlights that teacher-learners need to go beyond simply collecting descriptions of teaching. They also need to reflect on what these descriptions mean.” (Jerry G. Gebhard, Chapter 25 – pg.250, in Second Language Teacher Education, edited by Anne Burns and Jack C. Richards)
1. Ability to effectively communicate with students
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of curriculum
3. Classroom management strategies
4. Professional conduct – dress code and time management
5. Effective implementation of formative assessment and summative evaluations
6. Inclusive education: recognizing socio-economic, linguist and cultural backgrounds to promote diversity and equality in the classroom
7. Planning a variety of lessons and incorporating technology
I was grateful to have feedback from my experienced mentors. I would review the checklist as an opportunity to self-reflect and self-observe my areas of strength and possible areas for improvement.I would like to share the following quote from our textbook on the importance of reflecting on the personal teaching experiences, rather than ‘collecting descriptions of teaching:’
“Fanselow (1988) highlights that teacher-learners need to go beyond simply collecting descriptions of teaching. They also need to reflect on what these descriptions mean.” (Jerry G. Gebhard, Chapter 25 – pg.250, in Second Language Teacher Education, edited by Anne Burns and Jack C. Richards)