Reflections on Microteaching I

 

My first feeling after completing my lesson was relief. Then my thoughts focused on what I could have done differently. But first, I will consider the feedback from my colleagues. Then I will return to my thoughts in light of their input.

For the most part, the feedback was positive and constructive. My start was shaky -- which affected my teacher presence -- but it seemed to improve as the activity progressed. There was a challenge to the sequencing of the activity, to which I will respond shortly, and the content of the activity seemed to fit the timeframe of 10 minutes.

As for personal reflections, I would have adjusted a couple of things. First of all, I would have closed the activity more definitively and tied it better to the opening scenario. The opening scene was tying the game to its place in Australia's public identity, and I wished I had closed by tying it back to that thought. I also agree that I started off nervous; however, I do feel that I was able to recover throughout the lesson and work on aspects of presence that conveyed a level of confidence that promoted the idea that the teacher knows their stuff. I also shared the goals of the lesson, so I felt that was a benefit to the learners. During my pre-class, in-head rehearsals, I tossed up how to present and sequence the activity. Instead of talking at everyone for the couple of minutes that it may have taken, I decided to get everyone in straight away. This could have prompted a level of uncertainty in the students; however, the rules of the game (I decided) were straightforward enough to learn through demonstration (not recitation). So, this was an intentional decision on my part: to introduce by showing (not telling). I do recognise that not everyone was comfortable with this decision. I also need to grant that there are probably better ways to lead this activity. However, I think each person made progress toward the established lesson goals, and I appreciate that my colleagues were willing to support me as I practice reaching.