For my second GCP teaching observation, I watched (and participated in) an Inquiry class for pre-service teachers.

I was particularly watching for
1) the instructor’s use of PCK2) the different kinds of communication that facilitated the students’ learning
3) whether the instructor was able to make the content meaningful by helping the students connect it to relevant prior knowledge

The class started off sort of slowly.  The instructor had a very casual check-in with the students, during which they could bring up anything of interest to them that they had seen or read in the last week, or they could talk about how they were feeling about their program in general, or they could ask questions.  While this was a discussion for the whole class in a way, it was ok if some students had brief small group discussions at the same time.  The instructor did not always answer the questions or comment right away — she made space for other students to share their thoughts and ideas.
I have always admired this instructor’s skill in creating this extremely welcoming atmosphere at the beginning of her classes.  She creates a unique sense of community, in which everyone’s contribution and voice is valued to the extent that they wish to participate.  There is no time pressure, and no pre-determined content to cover.  I think this is an example of a very special kind of PCK which frames the rest of the lesson appropriately, by creating an open atmosphere.  Students are already communicating and learning and teaching, and the topics are very relevant to their lives.

The official lesson began, and the class continued with some work they had started during the last class.  This was focused on telling stories about physical objects.  Here, the instructor showed extensive PCK about specific kinds of communication, and invited the students to share their own efforts at creative expression/communication.  It was amazing to see how a class with 40 students felt like a small group.  I don’t know if the students felt that way, but I did, and have had the same experience when taking a class from this instructor.  She achieves this through PCK, but also by her body language and non-verbal communication.  When she focuses on a student, she will smile with genuine delight and joy, and the whole room lights up with a feeling of connection and inclusion.  She shares her own stories and foibles, and checks her ego at the door (as they say).

Additionally, the whole lesson she gives the students becomes incredibly relevant and meaningful to them because she keeps suggesting the ways that the students (who are pre-service teachers) can deliver a lesson like this when they are teaching in their own classrooms.  And they way she makes suggestions or listens to their ideas is very open — there are no wrong answers, only multiple possibilities.

This was really one of the most effective lessons I have seen, in terms of PCK, communication, and meaningful learning.  It is almost frustrating to watch such an instructor, because I can’t imagine ever being so good.  Of course, her style and mine aren’t the same, but she is an amazing role model.  But so many of the things she does are hard to qualify, and thus hard to emulate.