TRIANGLE FEEDBACK METHODOLOGY FOR SCHOOLS
-By Shahin & Irfan (18 Apr 2020)
In the past 70-years, India has seen a remarkable
change in every walk-of-life with technology and innovations. Every industry from
manufacturing to information technology has a feedback mechanism in place for
customers and employees. The feedback mechanism drives the performance of the company
year to year and help the employer to reward the employees.
How is the school
management assessing the teacher in the current education system in India?
What is the mechanism of
assessment of teacher’s performance? Is it transparent and honest? Are we
rewarding good teachers and replicating their good works?
Read until end of this article to get the ideas how you can improve
this locally at your end.
Reflection
and understanding the problem
The schooling system is
still the mainstream source of imparting education even after introduction of
many digital platforms. The future of millennial generation depends on how much
they can learn and develop new skills needed for the new world of science &
technology.
Data speaks volume that
most of the new graduated engineers hired by the companies do not have the
right skills required by the companies. This is a result of following British
era education system designed for colonies while England herself has very advanced
education system, which keep upgrading with needs and demands of the world. It
is time of India too to disrupt the old system and innovate new.
“Everyone is a genius. But if
you judge a fish by its ability to climb a
tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” - Albert Einstein
The quote is not only for the students but also for teachers. Are the
strengths of teachers identified appropriately? Are there mechanisms for that?
The above quote by Albert Einstein is a mirror to the current education
system where only students are considered and teachers are ignored. Neither
there is a standard mechanism for identifying the performance of the teacher
nor rewarding them. Rewarding do not always means monetary but it can also mean
word of appreciation and certification. There is no difference on this with government
and private schools. Even the best of the teacher lacks motivation from the
society. There is no healthy competition among the teacher and soon the
teaching becomes just daily rituals.
We are not going to ignore the students, as they are the end users and
receivers of the education in education system. The management performs
assessment of teachers by observation and never takes feedback from the end
users (students). We should not forget that if teachers were motivated then
they would influence the positive learning atmosphere and create memorable
moments in student’s life. My proposed Triangular methodology is designed to
benefit the students at the end.
Triangle
Feedback Methodology
a.
Effective
feedback from Teacher to student
In Indian school system,
student are the customers who always are at receiving end of feedback, which do
not help them to improve. When the student score a low mark on an examination,
the feedback given is often negative. How
does it help the students?
Studies shows that it can
be discouraging the student’s effort and achievement (Hattie & Timperley,
2007, Dinham). Teachers can avoid giving negative feedback however replace it
by constructive feedback on
(i)
What was done well and
(ii)
What can be improved
The report card can
mention the strength of the students and detailed report on specific need for
the students to help improve in other areas.
b.
Effective
feedback from students
Students may reach out to
the teachers but it is not always a formal way of communication. The Triangle
methodology provides an opportunity to the student to share the difficulty and
thereby the teacher can customize the teaching style to understand the
individual need.
Student feedback form must
be created for each teaching subject. The students can provide the honest
feedback on teacher
1.
How was the teaching style
2.
How was the learning outcome
3.
Teacher’s behavior
4.
Necessity of technological teaching aids
5.
Teacher’s in-depth knowledge towards subject
These feedbacks must
directly shared with the school management ensuring complete confidentiality.
c.
Role
of management in interacting with students and teachers
The management will get an
opportunity to analyze the aggregate feedback arising from (i) Teacher to
Student and (ii) Student to Teacher. Thus, can effectively focus on the need of
students in terms of infrastructure development or upgrading the skills of
teachers.
The reverse feedback can
be disruptive for the rudimentary system and at the same time encouraging the
upskilling of teacher. Triangle methodology provides an opportunity for the
management to identify and reward the deserving teacher based on evidence. This
helps
(i)
Maintain good faith and transparency between management and
teaching staffs
(ii)
Teacher can identify their strength and modify the teaching style
according to the needs of the students
(iii)
Creates healthy competition among teachers.
The management can even
think of creating awards like “best teacher of school” to create a way for
excellence.
Conclusion
Teacher is the central
focal point who directly connects with students, parents, and school
management. Indian education system never gives the opportunity to the students
to give direct feedback on teachers. Currently the school management do not
have any parameters set in the education system where a teacher can be assessed
for her/his performance. By deploying triangle methodology management can
reward the teacher and inculcate the competitive spirit among teachers. This
will result in an enhancement of quality of teaching in both government and
private schools.
While I have proposed the
Triangle Methodology of feedback for the student, teacher and school management
as a precursor for the change a lot have to be done by the government with
right policy and budget allocated for the education.
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