Observing a Colleague

On February 9 I observed a colleague who teaches in the same program (TESL) as I do. Our students have a mixture of educational backgrounds and range from one veteran (over 65) to several millennials (born after 1981). She observed me a month later, on March 2nd, and today we discussed our observations over lunch (paid for by ILLT). We were joined by the third TESL instructor who has also visited two of my classes.

My colleague is much younger than I am and I appreciate that fact that she is more current in terms of content and technology.

Here is what impressed me about her:

1. She knows more than I do about social media such as wikis, vokis (avatars), Second Life etc.
2. She loves to insert cartoons to liven up her PPT slides and knows some great websites such as www.makesbeliefscomix.com - all about how to create your own cartoons.
3. She used a handy computer timer to count down timed activities.
4. When debriefing a homework reading, students were asked in pairs to write down 2 points and 2 questions in pairs and not to talk until the timer went off. A novel way of checking homework!
5. Her rapport with the students was excellent, she used humour and her passion for teaching was obvious.
6. Both my colleagues jumped in (made extra copies, faciliated groups) without being asked!

I was fortunate to see my other colleague in action too when I asked her to be one of the cultural speakers last Saturday. She is knowledgable, dynamic, energetic and passionate. How lucky we are to have such an incredible team of instructors!

I look forward to my colleagues' blogs!