Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/improving-staff-performance-part-two-videotape-feedback/5007403/
Almost everyone dislikes being criticized, and many supervisors and directors are reluctant to offer feedback to teachers, either to critique or affirm their work. A previous article (Exchange, June 1990) examined why feedback is essential to staff improvement. This article will address a relatively new technological tool for the provision of feedback to teachers: videotape. It will not attempt to provide much information on techniques for operating videotape components, since this is readily available elsewhere.According to Daniel Ilgen, a psychologist at Michigan State University (New York Times, July 26, 1988, C15), people respond better to criticism that is specific, prompt, and delivered in a considerate manner. Criticism that focuses on what a person has done, that is precise in indicating what was wrong, that addresses a specific and current situation, and that does not assign blame is criticism that provides a constructive rather than a demoralizing message. Videotape may be an ideal means of providing feedback to teachers because it ranks high on precision and timeliness, and can be provided impartially.
The Benefits of Videotape
While we are used to watching videotapes, and many of us may regularly tape programs at home, observing ourselves on videotape is ...