Job Discussion Forums

[Glenski]

In addition to the usual paperwork (resume, references, essay, copies of degrees, etc.), some employers (mostly universities here in Japan, but some high schools, too) require that prospective teachers provide a 5-10 minute video tape of themselves in an actual teaching situation.

What do you think about this?

Consider the following:

* student privacy
* logistics of obtaining the tape without altering the class you record
* how much time should focus on teacher vs. student actions
* explaining the recording event itself to students
* relevance for experienced teachers
* anything else you might think is important

[Revenant]

I'm not sure how to think on it. It depends on what the people watchng the video are looking for. Agendas are different as well as perceptions.

[expatben]

I dunno if I like the idea of that

[ls650]

I think my biggest objection is the cost. I don't own a video camara, so I'd have to rent or borrow a camara with a decent microphone pickup, then arrange for someone to sit in the corner and film. And of course, run off copies for each school I was applying to. Seems like a pain in the arse to me.

[expatben]

If they wanna see us so bad get someone to observe, the cost should be the schools and not ours

[moonraven]

There is a group of schools in Mexico that require a video if the person can't go there for an interview and give a demo class.

Since I am a stickler about Teacher Talking Time, a videotape of my classes says a lot about my students, but not much about me. That's how it should be, and I would not want to work for an organization that thinks differently.

[expatben]

I compleatly agree

[dmb]

How about a real time lesson? Having a webcam in your class, then future employers can see you at work.

[expatben]

darn dmb you got ALL the answers!

[Glenski]

Well, I'm not really getting replies like I had hoped. Let me rephrase my original post.

1. Do you think such videos invade student privacy ?

2. If you were asked to provide such a tape, how would you go about solving the logistics of obtaining it without altering the class you record ?

3. How much time should focus on teacher vs. student actions ? (Personally, I don't care for the one response on this so far. I don't know what application review committees look for, but I would suspect that they want to see the teacher doing more than entering the room, putting a topic on the board for discussion, and then letting the kids at it, with minimal effort to monitor them. Yes, teacher talking time should be minimized, but not all classes are suitable for student discussion as moonraven's seem to be. I teach reading/literature classes, TOEFL prep classes, and a group projects class, for example. Sometimes I do nothing more than tell the kids to continue with the previous project on their own, sometimes I give a lecture on a grammar point. Sometimes I review a chapter we've read. It varies.

4. How would you go about explaining the recording event itself to students ? (Certainly, you wouldn't just show up on the day of recording with camera in hand, but what would you say to them when and before it was there? This is sort of related to question 2.)

5. What is your opinion on the relevance of such a tape for experienced teachers ?

6. What sort of class would you figure would be best to use in such a video?

[lajzar]

I would just apologise to the propspective employer, and say that it is not possible for [mumble] reason, and that if they really want me, perhaps they should make an exception in their application procedures.

I have yet to meet a school with such a requirement that was sufficiently great that I would inconvenience myself and students like that for.

[dmb]

I have had lessons taped before. I explained to students before why I was doing it. They were ok with it. I actually used the tape in future lessons. It was beneficial for the students and me.

With regard to what sort of lesson. Ask the potential employer what sort of lesson they want to see.

[moonraven]

I think dmb's suggestions have a lot of merit.

I have also taped classes--but it was done so that students could watch themselves, as well as for teacher training purposes. I have always asked students if anyone in the group did not want to to give taping permission. I have never had anyone say no, but I suppose you could have them sign something that indicates their having given their permission to be taped.

Glenski and I are never going to agree on anything, I am afraid--much less on teacher talking time. I do not believe that classes should be used for teachers to practice English--as they should already be very proficient. Classes are for students. I have fired teachers who were using them to hear themselves talk.

[dmb]

[dmb]

for those wondering what loop input is
http://www.developingteachers.com/tips/pasttips32.htm