NR537 Week 8: Collaboration Café
A novice educator has completed presenting a new course for the first time. It is now time to review the evaluations submitted by the participants. From the 20 participants, 8 submitted the standardized evaluation form. Despite 4 of the participants rating the educator highly, there was one individual who was very critical of the content as well as the presentation. This participant noted that the educator mispronounced several words, that a major concept was not explained correctly, and that the educator’s constant hand movements were very distracting. As the mentor to the educator, what suggestions would you provide to the novice educator?
NR537 Week 8: Collaboration Café Answer
Feedback and Suggestions for the Novice Educator:
- Acknowledge Positive Feedback:
- Start the feedback session by acknowledging the positive ratings received from a significant portion of the participants. Emphasize the strengths highlighted by those who rated the educator highly.
- Express Appreciation for Constructive Criticism:
- Communicate that constructive criticism is valuable for professional growth and improvement. Emphasize that receiving critical feedback is an essential aspect of the learning process.
- Provide Specific Examples:
- Share specific instances where participants praised the educator’s performance. This helps in reinforcing positive behaviors and builds confidence.
- Address Pronunciation Concerns:
- Discuss the feedback regarding mispronunciations. Encourage the educator to practice key terms and phrases to enhance pronunciation. Suggest utilizing online pronunciation resources or seeking feedback from colleagues.
- Clarify Major Concepts:
- Review the participant’s comment about a major concept being explained incorrectly. Seek clarification on the specific concept and work together to ensure a clear and accurate understanding. Consider revisiting that topic in future sessions.
- Minimize Distracting Habits:
- Discuss the feedback regarding distracting hand movements. Suggest that the educator practices delivering content in front of a mirror or records themselves to become aware of and minimize distracting gestures.
- Encourage Peer Observation:
- Propose the idea of peer observation. Having a colleague or mentor observe a session can provide valuable insights into presentation style, pronunciation, and overall effectiveness.
- Professional Development Opportunities:
- Identify relevant professional development opportunities related to effective communication, presentation skills, and pronunciation improvement. These could include workshops, webinars, or courses offered by educational institutions.
- Create a Plan for Improvement:
- Work collaboratively with the educator to create a personalized plan for improvement. Set achievable goals, such as reducing mispronunciations, refining content explanations, and enhancing presentation delivery.
- Offer Continued Support:
- Reassure the novice educator that improvement takes time and consistent effort. Offer ongoing support, including regular check-ins and additional feedback sessions.
- Encourage Self-Reflection:
- Promote self-reflection by encouraging the educator to review recordings of their sessions, focusing on areas identified for improvement. Self-reflection is a powerful tool for continuous learning.
- Celebrate Progress:
- Celebrate small victories and improvements. Recognize and acknowledge progress made over time. This positive reinforcement fosters motivation and a growth mindset.
- Feedback from Multiple Perspectives:
- Encourage seeking feedback from a diverse group of participants to gain insights from various perspectives. This ensures a more comprehensive understanding of strengths and areas for improvement.
By approaching the feedback session with a constructive and supportive mindset, the novice educator is more likely to view the feedback as an opportunity for growth rather than criticism. Providing specific suggestions and actionable steps enhances the educator’s ability to address areas of improvement effectively.
