The conditions that are required for this to occur have to first start with the cultural of the school. Many teachers have to change their mindset to realize that we are all in this together. Many schools have great outcomes but imagine what could happen to the school if their was collaboration on this level. With this set-up it is no longer teacher vs. principals or employee vs. boss. When the boss critiques it is a matter of have to but with critical friends it should be a want to. When there is a want to attitude it can only mean the absolute best chance of success for each student. It shouldn't be about keeping your best stuff to yourself so the principal can notice you but what can we all do to make all the students successful learners.
With critical friends it definitely helps teachers reflect on their practice. Here is a colleague - someone who is in the classroom just like you and they are wanting for you to succeed as well. Through critical friends it allows the teacher to receive feedback without "reprimands" from the boss. These reflections makes us step back and realize that no matter how awesome we think the lesson is, we can truly guage the success by how our colleagues view it as well.
This protocol can be used with students. The first challenge it teaching the students how to be critical in a manner that is not demeaning but offers support to their peer a better student. Was thier is a grasp of this critiquing then the possibilities are endless on how it can be used. One way is through during a revision part of a model building. If students were building models of glucose is brought into the cell then half-way through they could demonstrate that model to another student. The student could then be a critical friend offering feedback to see if they are on the right track or not.
Two protocols:
gallery walk through. After the students create their poster and display the macromolecule they chose the students will complete a gallery walk through.
Learning through a speaker. I plan on bringing in an individual who has acted as an expert witness in a court room before. The students will then be able to ask questions about proceedings, dress, mannerism, etc.
Hi Scott,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that one of the reasons critical friends is effective is because it is not evaluative and there isn't fear of failure because it is with colleagues and because everyone is both giving and receiving feedback. I like how you've thought about how you can use this effectively with your students and I agree with you that it would be a great tool midway through a design/build.