Evaluation of Teaching
Right now I am studying the book of James for my personal devotions. The idea that is grabbing my attention is that what we say and believe only becomes truly real when action flows out of those convictions. In the teaching realm, we often say that we want to improve our practice and grow as a teacher, but we often do not take actions that will lead towards these goals. Enter the idea of reflective practice-- as you execute lesson plans, watch your videos, and start journaling how can constructive and objective evaluation play a part? What ideas did you find helpful about this week's reading?
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There were two minor points that the author states that really caught my attention as important and maybe not always considered. Number 11 on page 161 states that an educator mus demonstrate "understanding of how to teach students of diverse, ages," etc. It is very true that we cannot teach older students in the same way that we teach younger students even if they are learning the same repertoire. Just being aware of this fact can really influence my lesson plans and my expectations.
ReplyDeleteI also thought he made a good point by saying that a good teacher must themselves continue developing musically by performing. Some teachers rarely or never perform. By keeping up our own performance quality at some level, we are more able to provide quality modeling in the lesson, associate with our students difficulties, and continue expanding our own knowledge of repertoire in such a way that may one day benefit our students.
That is a good point about teachers continuing to develop musically. If we continue to develop musically, we can also take our students to a higher level of performing. Good teachers are always learning.
DeleteGreat point! It is so important to know how to teach different age groups. I am learning a lot about that right now because I have started a student on violin who is in his teens. A difficulty that I constantly have to face is making my teaching mature enough for him so he doesn’t feel stupid when we are learning things like bow hold, posture, etc. It is amazing how much you actually change when you are going from talking to/teaching a young student to talking to/teaching an older one!
DeleteAs I read today's reading, one thing that really stood out to me was how diverse music teachers need to be. The author said that the teacher needs to prepared as a musician, an educator, and a professional. In the musician part, the author listed several things to be proficient in. Some of these are playing by ear, conducting, having a high level of musicianship in performance, and having a knowledge of music genres and history. Another thing that stood out to me in the reading, was the teacher evaluation list. As I read through the list, I thought about how we develop skill. It is important to evaluate one's teaching because then one can see what areas need improvement and "deep practice" those areas. We can't practice something we don't know needs practice.
ReplyDeleteSo true! It was kind of overwhelming going through these lists in this reading, but they will make great long term goals! It’s good to have really high goals to aim for, and these lists can help us see what areas need improvement so we can be great strings teachers!
DeleteI know! I was reading this and thinking how I could apply this to my own private lessons! Looking at the list of teacher evaluations makes me think of how much I could change in my lessons to help the balance and flow go much better.
DeleteIt is very interesting when you point out that a teacher must be all of these three things. It really is the teamwork between them all that make a really great teacher.
DeleteI agree with you Melody. How simple but also how great is the importance of just being a good teacher. How can we expect great things out of our students if we do not expect great things out of ourselves.
DeleteWow. Teaching is such a big responsibility! I guess one thing that really stuck out to me in the reading was the need for constant improvement. It is so important to evaluate your teaching in order to correct mistakes that you make. By doing this you will become a better teacher with each new lesson. What a thought!! It is so easy to get comfortable where you are and just trust things will stay the same, but it seems to me that if the teacher isn’t learning new things and developing in their teaching, that the students will also not be learning new things or developing their skills. This concept is broader than just music teaching and I would like to draw a comparison with our spiritual lives. If we are not learning more about our sin and about God’s holiness then we will begin to get comfortable where we are and not be fulfilling the biblical command to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, along with many other commands to constantly learn more of Christ.
ReplyDeleteI think that as teachers it is even more important to be constantly growing and striving to get better. We have to realize that there will never be an area in our lives in which we "arrive".
DeleteThe list of standards that an orchestra director should have in order to be effective almost looks overwhelming! Although each standard is an essential part of being a good director, it makes me think that no amount of college education could truly prepare me to possess all of these standards. On the other hand I do think that although I may not be able to hit the gate running with a perfection of director standards, I should be able to have a good foundation by the time I leave college. Constant evaluation of myself over time should lead to more and more success of fulfilling these standards. If a teacher were to not evaluate themselves and not seek to improve their teaching standards, I think it would be very similar to the emphasis in James about being a doer, and not a hearer only.
ReplyDeleteSomething I appreciated from the reading was that a music educator should not only be focused on music and education, but also about reaching out to the community and being involved in music organizations outside of where they are teaching. I believe it is very important to make connections with people. Making connections with people leads to being able to show them Christ through your life, and although music is important, reaching out to others for Christ is a Christians first priority.
You're right in that our priority is reaching out to others. One of the things that I'm working on right now, especially in a musical sense, is giving God the glory in all of my practices and performances, which should be the priority for Christians, but it is such a difficult priority to achieve. It is something that I find myself always working on.
DeleteI was a little overwelmed by the list too. It is comforting to know that there is no perfect teacher. We should strive for excellence in our teaching, but you're always going to be learning (or should be).
DeleteIn what ways, Bethany?
DeleteI found it interesting that there were requirements for the different aspects of being a music educator. First, music educators, according to the national standards, aren’t required to be just educators, but also performers and professionals in their realm of education. Within these categories, the music educator is required to know how to improvise, how to work on a budget, and to continue in their education. So music educators have to be versatile in their capabilities, which is a good reminder why exactly I have to take all the classes that I am taking right now!
ReplyDeleteWow--working on a budget. That's something we wouldn't necessarily think of as part of an educator's responsibilities. Also, he mentioned that we should know plenty about instrument rental. All very practicle knowledge.
DeleteOne thing I noticed in both readings was how Suzuki adapted each lesson so specifically to each child. I think sometimes I get stuck in a mold. I feel like a failure if I didn't get through this checklist in the time allotment. My lessons need to be all about the student and his/her individual needs. Not my checklist.
ReplyDelete