IMPROVING EVALUATION METHODOLOGY AND WHY THIS MAY WORK

By María Alejandra Odreman

Every person is unique in their own special way.

Maybe you've noticed that you learn faster by reading than by listening. Maybe you
like to put colors to your classes because you're a visual person or maybe you're
better with sounds.
Every person in this world has their own capacity to learn and we must not judge
that.
When you work with kids you realize every little head is so different (inside) they're
so amazing, and sometimes even when you're teaching them you learn a lot from
them.
I would like to improve my methodology by letting my students participate more in
it.
They're the protagonists of the class, it's not about me.
Their opinions have become so important to me. I like to ask them at the end of the
class whether they enjoyed the class or not, and what they would like to do for the
next class.
I like to keep them interested, motivated.
Obviously, I would like to improve, be a better teacher, that my students have more
fun while they learn because learning doesn't need to be boring.
When you do something that you really like, you feel motivated, you feel inspired.
I think this may work because I am a student too. I know what we like and that’s:
DON’T BE BORING.
Have you ever felt the need to tell to one of your teachers how boring their classes
are?
It’s happened to me, but the teachers don't build this connection with their
students. They’re so strict, so intimidating with all us. It’s not like I am going to say
to them that their classes are really bad or something like that. It’s about to build a
relationship professor-student and that you may be able to say something that you
would like to do, or even change about the class. I have been in a class where I
have to struggle with my own eyes for them not to close. Do you think that is a
good way to learn? I don’t.
Every teacher should dare to be different, to empathize with their students, not to
build a wall of fear between them.
Also, it's happened to me that I didn't like a subject and at the end of the semester I
ended up loving it. I love teachers like that.
Let your students participate more; let them be who they are.
I am a very shy person, I don't talk much (I hate to ask something to my teachers in
front of all the others students, it's terrifying to me) but when I feel comfortable with
my teachers because I know they're not going to judge me because of my
questions, I actually enjoy participating in class.
As simple as that. Make it simple, make it fun. Relaxing. Your students don't have
to open the door of the classroom feeling scared, they go to your class to build
thoughts, to be better, to improve their ideas.
I would like to use "the one minute paper" from the article about Classroom
Assessment Techniques, I'd ask my students what was the most important thing
they learned and what they understood least, so this way I'd solve the doubts they
may have before the next class. This may work because learning is a day to day
feedback and I would use the suggestion box too because their opinions are very
important to me.
Don't be scared to be different in your classes. Keep your mind open. Let your
students shine and you'll shine.