Reflection on Teaching

Jason Brown’s 0450 class June 14

Theme of class – Culture – Presentations

This was my third class teaching ESL students.  This was a Part 2 to a class a week earlier.  Since then I was also able to do a Conversation Club.

                                                            What Worked

            Paula and I worked hard on this lesson.  This was Part 2 of a three part topic.  In this class we introduced the task of making a Presentation.  I think it was a good flow and continuation from last class where we talked about culture. 

            I feel our slides were made well.  We had a good flow of how to prepare a good looking slide.  We had interaction where students could tell us what they didn’t like about some poor slides.  I feel after this discussion they all have an idea of what a good slide should look like.

            The second part was where Paula led the concept of body language and not to be nervous.  Some interactive whiteboard here and we open up the conversation for students to explain why the chose one image over the other.

            I feel we gave the information of what the expectation is.  I feel the slide that detailed the presentation expectation was clear.  There were no questions.

                                                            Some Concerns

            Two things.  I struggled in this class to get students to respond to my question on telling me if they were working as a group or individual.  AND getting them to tell me their topic was even more difficult.  I was hoping to come out of the class with a list of groups/individuals AND what they were planning to speak on.  That didn’t happen.  To try and relieve the quiet I suggested that if they did not yet know the topic they could surprise us.  Some took the bait and put in the chat that they will surprise us 😊.

            I am waiting to see Evangelista’s report.  She had quite a few suggestions of places to improve.  It is VERY interesting to me that I took offense when she made some comments after the class.  I know this is something I should learn from but I felt our rationale for what we did was justified but I WILL swallow my pride and take her feedback as improvement to my teaching.    

                                                            Final Thoughts

            I walked away from the class a little uncertain.  It is very difficult when you do not know the students to understand their level of communication.  AND with cameras off I can’t even try to read their faces and expressions.  I think if I had this group of students on a regular basis I would know them better and will have opportunity to build a rapport. I am now anxious to see if they understood our lesson well enough to produce a small presentation.  Time will tell.