B 3a Reflections: After my first peer observation feedback………

Reflections: After my first peer observation feedback………

I was nervous at the thought of being observed. My peers were much junior to me, from a different discipline, teaching on undergraduate programmes and had heard of my ‘formidable’ (?) teaching abilities from three of our other design faculty who were my erstwhile students and Puja and Shilpi’s colleagues….. Yes there was a lot going through my mind as I sat for my pre-observation meeting with them. I felt a bit like an aging ‘Diva’ before her comeback concert!

The class went well. I realized since I was the one in the learning set who was first off the blocks, the girls were looking to actually learn from this observation rather than critique it.

I also realized because of their age and experience they were also receiving the class more from a student’s perspective rather than that of a peer, therefore their feedback was most useful for me. Whatever ‘shortcomings’ they may have commented on was probably exactly the same that my class feels and experiences.

Both my observers felt that I needed more resources (fabric swatches/samples) for teaching and I realized that as tutors of business subjects we do tend to take ‘demonstration’ or practical illustration of the subject a little casually. Design teaching on the other hand is all about demonstrations, touching, feeling and experiencing. This can be really positive as it adds a dimension to the understanding of the subject and goes beyond theoretical learning. I most definitely need to dwell on use of teaching resources henceforth.

They also felt the session was too ‘packed’. In an undergraduate programme on which Shilpi and Puja teach they have 4 years of teaching and learning time and therefore the learning can be stretched and spread out. On a Masters programme (which is of a much shorter duration) it is expected that the learners already have a strong fundamental grounding in the subjects of their chosen specialism and therefore the contact learning is limited and far more intensive. I realize that I needed to explain this to them in my pre-observation meeting.

I also need to watch my habit of pre-empting my students when they are presenting, which was one of my learning set’s observation. Yes, I have to practice patience and learn to listen!!

I also need to work a break into the class even though the different components of the class create natural breaks. Maybe each class of two and half hours probably needs to be planned as 2 classes of an hour and half each.