Session Review: Using Teams To Assess Learning

(May 3) Micro-teaching is one way that is becoming increasingly used to develop new instructors. Whether the teaching is done face-to-face or online, many of the problems are similar. There is never enough time to do everything one needs to do. Instructors are rarely able to take on the new challenge of teaching others, yet they must be assessed effectively. Most were selected because they were subject experts and not because they had previous teaching experience. Nevertheless, it is important that these individuals be familiar with the teaching process before they begin their new tasks. This presentation sets out to examine some of the challenges related to micro-teaching and provides tools to develop evaluation methods centered on principles of improvement.

Jean-Marc Guillemette, of LearnPlex, presented the main issues related to micro-teaching: motivation to encourage new instructors, methods that optimize group teaching efforts, and tools such as evaluation grids that assist assessment of new instructors. The presentation focuses on team learning as a process that both engages and informs new instructors. When, in the process, is the optimal time for evaluation? Not at the end of instruction but when training is near completion and after instructors have had a chance to apply what they have learned. In order to effectively evaluate performance, team members should be given the opportunity to assess one another. Self-assessment is another important method. The issues that should be addressed in evaluation are: how was the micro-teaching episode, what were the positive points, and what could be improved.

Guillemette proved to be an excellent speaker who shared many of his experiences with group teaching methods. A discussion revolving around some of the problems surrounding the approach led to fruitful exchange between delegates and added to the session. In recent years I have also been involved in micro-teaching efforts and the approach used here helped to focus on some of the issues that regularly arise. It seems evident that evaluation is not the endpoint. Regardless of the context, individuals involved in micro-teaching must constantly assess their abilities and share their experiences with other cohorts in an ongoing assessment of their development as instructors. This is what makes this approach popular and effective.

Submitted by: Ofelia Ribeiro