This week was Lesson Ob for me. Was a bit adverse to the video taping initially cos it’s just strange having to watch yourself unless of course you are so in love with yourself. After the video was left on my table, it took me quite a while before I decided to play it. Haha.. But in all honesty, besides STILL finding it strange watching myself, there were definitely some things I could take away with me.
One of the things that became clearer to me after watching the video is that students really cannot be left alone to their own devices. However there’s only 1 of me and 40 of the rest. I do not know how I should deal with this? Having more instruments in the class may help to keep more students occupied but that would be a money issue. I need help with this!
The other thing I find is that I tend to repeat myself too often (sign of ageing) 
I try to cover as much ground as possible but it may just result in losing the students altogether if I talk too much, and not to mention too quickly sometimes. I think my talking speed has slowed down over the years. But until the video was played, I thought I was talking fine. So I’ve gotta slow down more and talk even less! Which means I’ve keep it short and sweet!
But I still enjoy hearing the sweet successes of students having learnt and mastered what they need to. It’s music to the ears, literally. I only wish they are able to play more beautiful pieces of music. However with the limited time and knowledge of music they have, it is actually quite hard. Well, I’m only but a teacher, or teaser if you can call it. In my limited capacity and resources, many opportunities opened to the student serve only to tease their tastebuds in hope of them going out to indulge in the fullness of it all.
I like your candid reflections; your courage to watch yourself and pick up a few key actions to improve. This is a mark of a professional sharpening her craft.
Your pupils must be enjoying their learning
Comment by Stephen Chin — April 16, 2009 @ 3:18 pm
It is good to know that you find the video feedback to be useful in isolating specifics of methodology that can be worked on.
We can sometimes get a bit too critical and only look at the glitches, but we must not neglect all the strengths we have already built up through our experience. We should continue to capitalise on these abilities which have proven to be effective and keep getting better in what we do.
Comment by Siew Weng — April 24, 2009 @ 2:05 pm