The protocol "critical friends" validates the positive aspects of the unit and reviews the issues with the unit. This protocol allows the teacher to improve the unit. While doing the "critical friends" protocol the teachers have to trust each other and to know the purpose of the protocol which is to improve their unit or teaching. Teachers also need to take the feedback from each other without becoming offended or hurt by the comments.
Students could use the "critical friends" protocol but in the K4 classroom the teacher would have to shorten the time for the students because K4 students have a shorter attention span. The teacher would have to model the "critical friends" protocol many times before asking students to use it with each other. Maybe the students could be a "critical friend" for an artifact produced by the teacher. In doing this students would learn and understand the process without hurting each others feelings.
One of the protocols I will embed in the PBL unit is the popsicle sticks protocol. Instead of popsicle sticks I will use pictures of the students on a ring for questioning in large group. The other protocol I will embed in the unit is the gallery walk. I would have to adapt it so the protocol is developmentally appropriate for a four-year old child.
Hi Alana,
ReplyDeleteI am glad that the critical friends protocol was helpful for you in refining your pbl plan and I am thankful that you see the possibilities for using this with your preschool students. I agree with you that for it to be effective you would definitely need to shorten the time frame and provide modeling and support for it. Teaching students how to provide positive and helpful feedback does require multiple opportunities and on going support. I am glad that you also liked both the popsicle sticks and the gallery walk protocols as well.
Thanks,
Dawn