K12
Ann Stark describes the process of providing feedback on a recorded observation
A video clip where Ann Stark lays out the process of doing recorded observations as part of the induction process, allowing teachers the opportunity to self-reflect and mentors to provide guidance without classroom disruptions.
Ann Stark:
Another huge way that we do feedback through the induction program is through observations. As mentors, we’ll go into our teacher’s classrooms a few times a year, and we’ll be able to observe and then provide feedback that way. But we also use the GoReact platform. And we’ll have the teacher set up their iPad or their laptop, or even their cell phone, and they’ll videotape a lesson and they’ll upload it onto GoReact. And then first thing we do is we have the new teacher go through, watch themselves teaching, which is hugely powerful. And they’ll make a few comments at the point in the video where they see something where we require them to comment on two things they felt they did really well, and then one area where they might like to have a discussion about ways to improve.
And then after they provide that feedback, then as the mentor, we go through and watch the video, and we sort of do the same thing and provide different comments, but it’s so much more powerful than an in-person observation. Because an in-person, I can’t stop her. “Stop. Do you realize…” And then it’s almost lost. So our most powerful growth comes through the video observation where we can actually say, “See right there how you were able to connect or whatever, that’s amazing.” Or sometimes it’s more hard conversations like, “See how you’re talking and explaining, but so are 32 other kids and no one’s really listening to you?” So you can kind of see things that make it… The evidence is right there.
