Last week, I shared a candid reflection with my teaching team — through e-mail. It asserted that during our Exhibition we failed to adequately facilitate the acquisition of knowledge, cultivate creativity, and lead our students to meaningful and sustainable actions. Concerned, my grade 5 teaching partner offered to sew my limbs back on at the end of the week. Still got my limbs. Actually, now an honest discussion of our Exhibition experience is developing. We owe that to the reflections we shared with each other. So, it’s helping us to improve teaching and learning. I have not, however, shared my reflection on my blog or networks like PYP Threads and PYP Exhibition. I almost did, but I don’t have the guts. What if a parent read it? A potential student? How far should we go with reflections that expose our weaknesses? I’m still flirting with posting my reflection. Do I need guts or good sense?
I live in Tianjin, China with my wife Tatiana and son Gabriel.
I am the NPK-12 IT Coordinator at International School of Tianjin.
I advocate teaching and learning with technology
that supports inquiry and action in otherwise unobtainable ways.
New blog post: Do I need guts or good sense? http://www.utechtips.com/?p=743Reply – Quote
Do I need guts or good sense? /U Tech Tips/ – Last week, I shared a candid reflection with my teaching team … http://tinyurl.com/68ckfrReply – Quote
This too is something with which I’m struggling as I reflect on the end of my first year teaching. How much of what I feel I didn’t do well can I make public? I am all for transparency – but I ask the same questions you are asking.
What if my doctor were posting about what he didn’t do as well as he would have liked? Would that be appropriate? What if it were my electrician?
Yet if I don’t reflect and write about these things that need improving, how will I get feedback and other ideas? What about the other new teachers that only see positive posts? Will they think they are doing something wrong because their teaching isn’t perfect (whatever that is)?
I don’t know. I look forward to hearing others thoughts on this.
When you are discussing an incident that both involves and affects other people — and could cast a less than flattering light — I think it is better to err on good sense.
Putting something into written text — will last forever, even if things change from your discussion — what you wrote will be there forever, for anyone to interpret, to misconstrue, and to perhaps then blog about on their own site.
Also — if someone is visiting your site, and that is the only post they ever read about you and your staff — would you want that to be their first (and perhaps last) memory?
If there is something that you need to call attention to — and it is for “your staff eyes only” then why not create a wiki or a google doc.
It is wise, in my humble opinion, to only build up people on your blog. Showcase what they are doing right!
As always, just my thoughts.
Jennifer
It’s a tough question. I think it is better to err on the side of good sense.
I’ve been blogging for almost two years, and I’ve had a couple of misunderstandings because when we communicate through our blogs we aren’t able to see body language and hear tone of voice which convey much of the message.
As a rule, I don’t use my blog to vent, but I will say that I agree or disagree with things because that has not been my experience. I also will suggest that next time I might do things differently.
I’ve been teaching for forever so I’m not concerned about building my career because I’m where I want to be. I’ve tried all kinds of assignments and know what I like. If I were building my career, I might be more cautious because you never know how things will be interpreted.
Hi Jackie,
Too much of a good thing is bad.
Reflecting with my fellow teachers was enough. No need to take that discussion beyond our collegial circle.
Cheers,
Tod
That’s sound advice, Jennifer.
You got to accentuate the positive, as Dr. John sings.
Our reflections have accomplished what we wanted. Rather than extend the discussion, it is time for us to focus on the new ideas it generated.
Cheers,
Tod
There is a fine line between ranting and reflecting.
Posting my reflection would be pointless unless I needed to vent or rant. Like you, that’s not my thing.
Thanks, Elona.
Cheers,
Tod
I would say the scenario might teach US why you feel the way you do. How to avoid the mistakes that can be easy to fall into.
I am actually intrigued by the affair. I want to know what you tried and why you feel it didn’t do what you wanted it too.
Cheers
Hi James,
My reflection should stay close to home. It was written for the people I work closely with and would not do well with any other group.
The summary of all of our reflections, however, discusses the mistakes that we fell into and the steps we need to avoid them. Now that might be useful. I’ll think about sharing that.
Thanks for the idea.
Cheers,
Tod
Thats great. The details of who did what are meaningless to me and have no real value. But I’m glad that you are willing to share your thoughts on what was tried and why it didn’t perform as you hoped. I’ve been thinking about a post I want to write on lesson plans I have attempted this year and what worked and what didn’t. Your post seems in this vein and is what I’m interested in.
I’m looking forward to your thoughts.
James