Digesting Constructive Criticism is a series of terms used more and more within the classroom these days. I believe that we all digest feedback in different ways. I internalise this feedback and then share it with others when I am with friends. I don't know if this is the best way of dealing with constructive criticism (CC), but this is the only way that I have been exposed to.
For instance across a general school day we as teachers are consistently provided with CC, this comes from a variety of sources. The one thing that I have noticed is that it is all supposed to be to help you develop and therefore help you as a teacher to produce better learners.
However, how do you teach students to understand and digest constructive criticism? Students take in criticism from a range of different sources, teachers, parents, friends and the media. That then leads to my main question, Why do we as educators not provide our students with ways of dealing with criticism? I know that I have not provided my students with enough support when dealing with criticism and it is a goal of mine for the upcoming term.
As a contemporary teacher we need to identify different ways that students receive feedback. Traditionally feedback was provided orally and written in their books. However we need to be open to providing feedback in various new ways. This is where a major focus should be, How can we support students when they receive constructive feedback and also how can we as educators provide feedback to students who learn in the demanding 21st century world.
Alistair Stewart
Great to see your blog up and running! The great thing about student investigation into constructive criticism is that it will develop skills that will be transferrable into adulthood and the workplace.
ReplyDeleteWill this be a school focus for term 3?