Case: Survey says

Case Introduction/Commentary

Reflection is the act of thinking about previous experiences and analyzing the importance of them. This is a powerful tool that helps us to understand and react to a present situation as well as helps us to determine how to approach a future situation. One important ingredient in reflection is the use of multiple sources of evaluation. Evaluations from other teachers, administrators, and students can all be useful in helping a teacher determine his or her strengths and weaknesses. The following case provides an example of an evaluation technique that can be used with young children.

Case from Preservice Teacher

I have been observing in a second grade classroom. The teacher, Ms. Lawton, has been teaching at the school for 10 years. I thought she was a very good teacher. The last day of my observation she did something that seemed unique to me. She asked her students to fill out an evaluation. I was surprised that she would attempt this with second graders.

The evaluation form contained the numbers one through eight and next to each number were a happy face, a sad face, and a neutral face. Ms. Lawton explained to the students that she was going to read them some sentences and they were to pick which face matched how they felt. In very simple terms, she explained what each face meant. Then she read the five questions. The questions had to do with how well the students liked Ms. Lawton, the classroom, the tasks she had them do. All were in second grade language and Ms. Lawton repeated each statement several times. At the end, Ms. Lawton asked the students to write something they liked and something they didn't like about her classroom. She told them they could use pictures to tell her as well. When the students had finished filling out the evaluation form Ms. Lawton sent the students outside with the aide for recess.

While the students were outside, I asked Ms. Lawton about her evaluation form. She said that she had developed it herself after her first year of teaching. She said that some of the most useful advice she had received that first year had come from her students. She also realized that it had only come from a select few so she decided to get information from all the children the following year. She said that she wished the students could write more because she finds that information to be the most useful. However, she knows that writing is a difficult task for these children. Ms. Lawton concluded with this piece of advice, "The way to become a better teacher is to listen to those around you."

Case Questions

1. Do you think that Ms. Lawton's use of evaluations in second grade is useful? What types of information from this evaluation would be useful for Ms. Lawton?
2. Do you think second grade children are capable of making an unbiased evaluation? Do you think their concern about what their teacher thinks of them will overshadow how they really feel about the teacher?
3. What are some other ways that Ms. Lawton could elicit information about her teaching progress from her students?
4. What do you think Ms. Lawton means when she says, "The way to become a better teacher is to listen to those around you?" Do you agree?