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Who Do You Let Into Your Class?

By Jason Bedell, on June 11th, 2010

I have to give credit for the idea behind this post to my friend and science/Chinese teacher Adam Taylor as well as to Mr. Keenan for getting me thinking about it again. I am only teaching one period next year (or at least that is the plan at the moment), which is great because I will be dedicate a lot of energy to them. Of course, I will also be helping other teachers teach the rest of the day, but that is not exactly the same as having your own kids.

There are many things that I am going to implement and/or do differently next year. For reasons that I don’t understand, teachers are often very hesitant in allowing other people into their classrooms.

I feel that transparency is vital for several reasons. First, if people are to understand and respect teaching as a profession, we need what we do to be visible. We have a difficult job that is often misunderstood. People will have a greater appreciation for what we do if they can see it.

Second, I want to involve all stakeholders. Parents can be a tremendous asset. If students know parents are watching, they may choose to try harder. If parents are watching their children’s classes, when possible, they will be better able to help them.

I realize that this idea will make many trepidatious. We are all human and make mistakes. If our mistakes are visible, they can be used against us. However, I think that it is helpful if we are honest about our mistakes. It can help both us and our students to move forward.

What do you think? Is it something that you would consider or am I completely crazy (as per usual)?

Update: Some livestreaming sites, such as Ustream let you record your broadcasts. This could be helpful to let students rewatch classes for content and reflection.

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  • http://mrsbrogley.com/blog/ Jessica Brogley

    Questions for you…

    1. will you have parents sign permission slips?
    2. what will you do if one comes back unsigned?
    3. will the camera move around to the students? meaning, where is the webcam located?
    Jessica Brogley´s last [type] ..Geocaching with Students Day 2

  • http://jasontbedell.com Jason Bedell

    Thanks for the questions Jessica. I don’t have all the details worked out yet. I believe that I will send home the syllabus explaining that this is just part of the class and that I am willing to meet with parents who have concerns. I may make password protected logins for each parent. In the worst case, it is an elective class so people can elect not to take it. I haven’t seen my classroom for next year yet (new school), but I want it to be unobtrusive. Hopefully, I can position it so the whole class can be seen. It certainly will be more about the kids than me.
    Jason Bedell´s last [type] ..Who Do You Let Into Your Class?

  • http://www.cybraryman.com Cybrary Man – Jerry Blumengarten

    I will be very interested in learning the parents’ reaction to this wonderful idea. We are living in a very transparent age where being watched is a fact of life. I like the fact that it is an elective class for the students. Of course, you will need parental approval and access should be password protected. This reminds of one principal who literally dragged any visitor to our school into my classroom to see me in action. I also had 15 college juniors observe me one period a week for a term. After a while I did not even realize they were there.

  • http://jasontbedell.com Jason Bedell

    Jerry, I still hve to figure out the logistics of password protecting it. I’ve always been an open book for anyone who wanted to visit my room. I’m just trying to extend that concept out, within legal parameters.
    Jason Bedell´s last [type] ..Who Do You Let Into Your Class?

  • Debbie Gottsleben

    Jason I think it is a great idea as well. Parents can see what is going on if they want to; students can check back on what happened in class if they missed the class or if they forgot something; if another teacher wants to see a particular topic that you may be teaching to either learn about it or to see how to teach it they can do that by watching what happened in your class.

    But that being said I wonder if some parents will object? I don’t think that I’d have a problem with it as a parent but you just never know. But I do seem to recall that there have been times when other classes in the district have been videotaped. I think that what Jerry experienced is pretty typical- at first the camera may be somewhat obtrusive but after a while I think most people will forget that it is there.

    I really appreciate how you are always thinking of how to improve your own teaching which by sharing helps all of us become better at what we do.

  • Debbie Gottsleben

    Jason I said that some classes had been videotaped. I realize that you are talking about livestreaming which is a little different. I just meant that there has been a precedent for capturing what is going on in a class for viewing by a larger audience.

  • http://jasontbedell.com Jason Bedell

    Debra,
    I really don’t see anything wrong it, but I am sure that there will be some parents and possibly administrators that do. I hope to be able to convince most that there is merit to it.

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