HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR CLASS? ASK YOUR STUDENTS

No matter how good you think you are as a leader, my goodness, the people around you will have all kinds of ideas for how you can get better. So for me, the most fundamental thing about leadership is to have the humility to continue to get feedback and to try to get better - because your job is to try to help everybody else get better. - Jim Yong Kim


The truth is I've never really fond of feedback. There is a small part of me that afraid of being criticized. It's something that I resent for years. Yet, I know that there is no place to hide from it. I need to be brave and face it anyway. I truly am envy with a lot of my friends who can take critics easily. I want to have that kind of openness; to be confident enough and detach to not feeling hurt or defensive when someone complains to you. I always feel like if one tiny part of me is considered problematic (like my greasy way of eating junk food for example) and someone criticizes, it attacks me personally. If someone comments on the way I walk, I might feel like the whole of me is the problem not only my foot--harsh. 

My fiance told me that my views might stop me to be a better version of me. 

He said," One tiny part of you doesn't define the whole you."

SO, I shouldn't feel attacked. 

"See your self as a puzzle. If one tiny part of you is sick then cure it, don't need to blame the whole body or treat the whole body unless its systemic issues."


Yes, it is easier to be said than to be done. Unless you are my fiancee who loves feedback and a self-improvement enthusiast ;) (are you reading this dear fiancee? ;) But, I get his point and try to do it reluctantly. 

The urgency of feedback in class has been introduced to me several times. In the training of Indonesia mengajar, there was one session to evaluate the whole training. There was also a blank paper that could be filled by the trainee if they have any feedback. We even learned some techniques to give feedback. That habit was also implemented when I was delivering training to teachers in Purwakarta. 

It all started--

On the last day of the first term, I did something so impulsively for the first time in my teaching career. I gave my students several blank papers. (yeah that's it) 


well not really--

I told them," my dear students, today is our last day in this term. In front of you, there are two papers. Please fill one paper with things that are good about the class and fill the other one with things that you hope to be improved. It is anonymous. Don't write your name. You can bad-mouth me all you want and I won't mind." 

Most of them were confused. It's their first time to be asked something so surreal. Several of them smiled so cunningly and started writing. Seeing their excited face alone it's worth it. They might have been recalling all the not so wow moments in my class and ready to give it back to me. 


"Eat this teacher." evil laugh. 
they might say in their mind.
or not

I realized that it is the first time for both parties (students and teacher) experiencing feedback  in traditional class. In my lifetime, It always the teacher that gives feedback to students. not the other way around. I was very nervous to read their feedback and, boy, they didn't disappoint me at all :)


Here are three most cherished comments 

1. THEY LOVE CLASS ACTIVITIES l GAMES, ICE BREAKING, AND ENERGIZER

I remember the first time I used games in learning they were so confused at first yet so thrilled. It was one of my dopping, seeing my students happy in learning. Games is indeed not only fun for the learner but also for the teacher. I'm glad knowing that my students enjoy it as much as I do. I note in my mind to keep doing this :)



P.S : game is the only session they can phyiscal with each other while playing innocent games such as "the wind blows to" 

2. I, apparently, speak too fast in class 

This is the perks of feedback. I don't know that they have this issues. They never told me this and I never asked them. Now that I know this issue can hinder them from learning. I take notes from this. To speak slowly and clearly while explaining some materials.



P.S : my devil plan is to speak so slow to tease them hahahaha

3. My class can be noisy, they want me to be more strict ;)

This feedback is somehow making me smile. Contrasting to normal traditional classes, my class can be a bit strange. We made our own rules. There are a lot of games, activity, and discussions. The noise can be a bit annoying probably for some. Some asked me to be more strict and discipline. It somehow remains me of my 180 degrees complains to my former teachers. I wanted them to be more relaxed and had a joyful class. I guess we need a moment of silence once in a while for some of us to study. Another thing I need to underline for next term.




it gets me thinking should I bring cute pink sticks to the class?So I can be fierce and discipline while keep being the cute and kind at the same time in the class. Any fresh idea folks to help? 


I would say, without the feedback, I would never know that our class is too loud. I wouldn't know that I speak too fast for them in the class. Now, I can proudly pat myself as a good teacher, knowing they really do enjoy the class, so it's not only me. My love is not unrequited love to them so glad:")

with this feedback, I know some areas that I need to improve for next terms. So the learning process can be more effective for the learner and me! 

Thank you for reading this. Don't be shy and you can bad-mouth me in the comment section. I wouldn't mind ! :)

ok I'm lying. I'd mind. be kind with me and stay awesome!!



Komentar

  1. ( Yes, yes, I read it my dear.. ;) )

    Congratulation my fiancee, you are one step closer to your ideal!

    Wise people said, "old habit dies hard, so does old mindset.."

    I replied, "but it still dies, isn't it?"

    So, take your time with the baby steps. Anyway, I'm soooo happy that you are already find the perk of feedbacks, in the first attempts. Can't wait to see the better Nurul Bahirah---my partner in crime.

    As you already make me a better person in prioritising goals. ;)

    -- your coachee & your lover. <3

    BalasHapus
    Balasan
    1. Hi, my most commentator so far! (because my blog consist of you and only you right now, which is bit saddening- but let's not be too optimistic shall we?)

      where am I? before I'm rambling..

      oh ya. I HOPE it dies. If my habit dies, is it mean that I am a killer? (another rambling)

      before I'm rambling more : THANK YOU!! for you suggestions :)

      now I can ramble some much more but I better do it privately :)

      your rambling fianceex

      Hapus
    2. I can stay all night just to hear you rambling :)

      Hapus
  2. Can you imagine if every SD, SMP, SMA (formal schools) in Indonesia do this regularly? Like everyday, or at least every week?

    Don't they know that their REAL client is actually their students? Not the student's parents, nor the head master, nor the big guys at government?

    BalasHapus
    Balasan
    1. indeed. Feedback has it perks :)

      yet, we teacher need to be careful. One of my students wrote "I want to watch movie every two weeks." If I follow it, My class will not be an English class, but a "Yes it's a free cinema class. Hell yeah!" hahahaha.

      but your point is very well taken. It will change our education system dramatically. Let's share this spirit, shall we? :)

      Hapus

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