Feedback Tips: Viewing Participants’ Videos

Watching participants’ videos is a process of noticing, analyzing, and deciding how to act in a continual cycle of improving and refining teaching practices.

Logistics

• Watch each video once or twice, but not more unless absolutely necessary.
• Set a limit for how long you will spend watching each video.
• Watch a maximum of five to 10 videos at a time to avoid fatigue. The quality of your feedback naturally will decrease over time.

Video Viewing Tips

Focus: Keep your attention on the original intent of the video. “Tune out” other factors, such as the classroom environment, children and adults not directly involved in the activity, and teaching practices outside the intended scope of the video.

Exceptions:

• You notice the participant demonstrating an exceptionally advanced skill to commend.
• You notice factors outside the intended focus of the video having a direct impact on improving the quality of the targeted teaching practice.
• You notice activity or language that ethically needs to be addressed.

Observe: Describe specific, objective, and observable words or actions taking place in the video. Avoid making inferences.

Interpret: Analyze your observations to make connections between what you saw and what that behavior might suggest about a child or educator’s thinking. Reflect on connections between your observations and the principles of teaching, learning, and child development.

Plan and Act: Reflect on specific activities and words the educator might use to enhance opportunities for child development and learning.