Week #5 Videotaping your lesson.

My Opinion

I think that a video can be a very good tool to solve our teaching issue and to improve our teaching methods. This can be an instructional tool that can help us to become a better teacher. Why? Because is in that moment when we can see our teaching in action, and also is in that moment when we can receive good suggestions that we can put in practice from others.  As the reading says; “to video record a lesson help us in order to get feedback from the teaching – trainers”.  This means that when we make a video of our lessons, our teaching trainer will be able to watch it and to identify our strengths and weaknesses, the areas that need more attention; so, in this case he/she will be able to guide us in what needs to be improved, and also will be able to congratulate us if we are doing a good job.

There are some interesting “Videotaping Suggestions for Student Teachers” that I would like to share with you:

1.     Ask your cooperating teacher about the videotaping policy at your school. If required, be sure to obtain parental permission prior to videotaping. A sample permission form is included in the handbook.

2.      The videotape should focus on the students as well as the teacher in order to assess the students’ reaction to the lesson. Students may be a little shy or boisterous with their first exposure to being videotaped. Therefore, it is sometimes beneficial to practice being videotaped.

3.      View the videotape the same day that it is made. Write your reflections and evaluations of the lesson. Some cooperating teachers may want to see your analysis before they evaluate your teaching.

4.      Share with your students why you are being videotaped. You may even allow them to view themselves on tape.

5.      The cooperating teacher and university supervisor should view the videotape and provide feedback within a week of taping.

6.      It may be beneficial to evaluate and be evaluated by peers in order to gain multiple perspectives and see different styles of teaching.

7.      Save your tapes and record a few lessons throughout the year. These tapes will allow you to reflect on your changes and growth in teaching.

8.      Enjoy the challenges you meet in the classroom and learn from them.

Jenson, R.A., Sheptson, T.J.,

Killmer, N., & Connor, K. (1994)