Diary

Hamburg

Please choose one of the documentation items below:

3.1.	Feedback
3.2.	Peer Evaluation
3.3.	Diary	3.3.1.	Hamburg	a)	Teachers' Diary
				b)	Weblog Angelika
				c)	Weblog Sabine
				d)	Weblog Werner
		3.3.2.	Kaunas
		3.3.3.	Reykjavik
		3.3.4.	Rzeszow

3.4.	Photo Evaluation
3.5.	Diverse

17.10.2004 \| 21:46	Germany

Peer evaluation... and something happened

Peer evaluation I have to admit without the little pressure of my own promise that I made at the Kaunas meeting I would not have done these lessons of peer-evaluation.You know, there is always lots to do… But nevertheless Sabine and me visited each other`s lessons (Biology) and Angelika and me (German and Philosophy). At our school we have not got a tradition of attending each others lessons. And if somebody is evaluating (Headmaster) the teacher is more or less scared of this as this is a kind of assessment Our lessons of peer-evaluation turned out to be very important as I felt that something happened to me. It was a good step to open the mind for new ideas, to accept the ideas of one`s partner, to be able to give a feedback. There is usually a lack of feedback for teachers – so peer-evaluation really helps to improve this situation. It was impressive for me that I can even learn from Angelika`s German lesson although this is not my subject. For example it was worth to see how many different tasks she offered. The students were allowed to chose their way of working (Goethe, Leiden des Werther) and this created a good and productive atmosphere. And it is quite obvious for the benefit of both if they teach the same subject (Sabine and me – Biology). I talked to Angelika and Sabine after our lessons of peer-evaluation. We agreed that it was a good experience for us and for the time being we came to some results. It is important to look only at one or two aspects (like students activity or discipline) and not at the lesson or person at the whole. Symmetry is important, both have to give and to recieve feedback; it is not your headmaster who is controlling. You will surely get new ideas to improve and refresh your teaching. Peer-evaluation may be able to change the atmosphere at school. A little pressure may be helpful (create a frame where you have to do it). We are really encouraged to go on. Werner 2004, Oct.

Werner Maas