These are just my [Vardhini] after thoughts:
Wow every day is a new learning experience. I was very proud of myself on my pace for not speaking too fast. I felt I held the class interest well. Of course there are always things to improve upon, and I am game for that, learning never stops, and I consider myself to be a humble person, and do not wish to come across as over powering.
Sally and I decided that she will start the session, and since I wanted to challenge myself to lead discussion questions because I needed to practice in the safe environment to see how I can improve in that area to have it be a student led discussion and give time for them to answer. I know I need to come to terms with being OK with silence!
Even though I did go softer in my voice! I guess this is not an excuse but then again Sally has such a gentle and soft spoken demure, that the contrast made my facilitation even more drowning.
I have decided to do more listening and also work on my tone of voice. I know I need to match my actions with my good intentions, so here is my check list for myself:
- take turns, -rehearse well with the partner,
-knowing the material well, but knowing the audience is as important.
-be neutral and address the group rather than the individual depending on the audience.
- Ah ha down size my battery! I need my partner's help too for this one.
And then again every session will be different, because the audience will guide the candor and behavior of the ball in play. I know I will do my best to handle such a situation in a professional manner. I felt since I am a spontaneous person it was easier to apply teaching techniques using what we learned in class on the spot.
And for me it was harder to strictly follow the curriculum because I was too worried about missing the rules and steps. This can be overcome by practice and studying and practicing the curriculum a couple of times earlier.
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1 comment:
Vardhini, I commend you on your action plan to improve. I too have difficulty following the curriculum and wanting to be true to it. I guess it will come with practice.
As far a practicing silence, some have suggested to do a silent count of 5 or 10 seconds.
I myself sometimes do a mental exercise in Avatar (Avatar is a self-improvement and self-development program) called "Watch the Monkey".
Essentially, in group conversations, there is always a monkey that hops around from person to person that wants to convince, to impress, to argue, to make a point.
You can watch the monkey to observe at any given moment who among the group the monkey has landed and is acting out.
You can even smile at the monkey and silently blessing it: "Show off".
And if you notice that the monkey has landed on you and it wants to act up, you can do the same to it and smilingly say to it in silence: "Show off." The urge to talk will subside.
Al
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