You are on page 1of 2

REFLECTION FOR METHODOLOGY LESSON

MIRROR, MIRROR, ON THE WALL…

What I learned was that:

Some teachers want to seem more sophisticated than what they


actually are. They’re conceited so much so that they don’t take into
consideration the others’ beliefs, thoughts, feelings. However, for a
teacher, it’s highly important to know how to approach the others’
opinions and how to behave accordingly. So, we, as teachers, should hold
a mirror up to ourselves just to be able to realise where the things are
going bad and how they can be corrected. For this purpose, we need to be
observed by the others and to observe the others, as teachers. So, in this
lesson, we mentioned our reflection on how we feel about being observed,
and read the experienced teachers’ remarks about observation. After
reading, we said whose opinion(s) we agree or disagree and explained why
we think so. Our explanation showed that most of us feel nervous while
being observed. In order to understand the reason why we are afraid of
being observed,we mentioned the importance of observer’s
characteristics, as well. For instance, I learned that an observer should be
polite against the observed and she shouldn’t blame me for my beliefs and
my way of teaching. She should come to describe what is happening
during the lesson and to determine in which areas I’m good or bad at,
whether my action and my behavior are hand in hand , whether I use eye-
contact with the students, body language while speaking. The observer
should also look at ton of voice, classroom management and use of time.
She should firstly touch on positive aspects of the observed person then
negative aspects of him/her while making comment.. While touching on
negative aspects , the observer should make her comments in a kind way
and the observed person should take this critisizm as a benefit to his/her
profession.

Moreover, I learned the difference between ‘observation’ and ‘


evaluation.’ For example; the purpose of observation is to describe an
action or behavior ; however, the purpose of evaluation is to judge an
action or behavior. Observation focuses on a variety of issues, whereas
evaluation focuses on narrow ways of behavior. While observation mey be
done by a teacher trainee, a parent or a school inspector, evaluation is
usually done by a teacher’s superior. Peer evaluation forms can be used
by observers; however, numbers from 1 to 5 or such adjectives as
excellent, good, OK, bad, very bad can be used by evaluators.

What I had difficulty in figuring out was nothing. Everything was


absolutely clear.
I suppose I need to focus more on getting rid of my fear of being
observed. I think this can be overcomed only by making plenty of
presentations in front of the people.

I believe I may observe the other teacher’s lesson when I become a


teacher and may allow them to observe me in exchange because it’s a
good opportunity for me to get some feedback from a different
perspective. While I am observing the other teacher, I’ll give him/her an
observation form before starting the observation because this enables
him/her to behave according to the criteria written in the form. Not to
offend the observed person, I’ll not make my comments, especially my
negative comments, in front of the other people and not to interrupt
him/her, I’ll make my comments after the observation. Not only while
being observed but also while teaching without being observed, I’ll use
eye-contact, body language during the lesson. I’ll pay attention to use the
time and my ton of voice effectively. To summarize, I believe that
observation provides a kind of mirror for the teachers. The mirror may
help the observed or the observer to see the action that takes place in the
classroom clearly and to develope an awareness of a behaviour found in
the classroom. I think, each teacher can gain a lot from them if he/she is
willing to put in the effort. Therefore, we, as teachers, should take some
risks and be open to change…

You might also like