What would it be like for teachers
if administrators or parents could watch them in their classrooms anytime they
wanted to? As I read in the “Software Corner” section of chapter 4 in our
textbook, it mentioned the use of webcams in the classroom. There are great
ways to use webcams in the classroom. We can use them to talk to other
classrooms around the world…like a modern version of pen pals. I have attended
Real Time Sessions for online classes where the teacher teaches a lesson to her
online students synchronously. This is a great way to meet your teacher who
otherwise would just be a picture on her website. Here is a video for tips when
teaching lessons via webcams:
We can also use webcams to
visit other parts in the world like museums, zoos, aquariums, and even watch
the Iditarod as it happens! In other words we can go on field trips around the
world without even leaving the classroom!
However, webcams in the
classroom to observe teachers 24/7 feels somewhat like an invasion of our
privacy. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing to hide, and I welcome visitors in
my classroom anytime. In fact there are some days when I feel like I should
have a revolving door from all the visitors I receive! I do get nervous when
administrators walk in my room. When I am teaching my kids I feel very
confident and sure of myself, but when an administrator walks in to do an
informal evaluation, I get nervous and I can feel that I change my way of
teaching because they are watching me. If we had a webcam in our classrooms
recording everything we do, it would feel a little too “big brother” to me. I’d
feel like I’m on a reality show and I would have to perform all the time. What
if I have a bad hair day, it’s bad enough that my students have to see me, now
the whole world can see me…yikes! All kidding aside…I think using security
cameras in the hallways in middle schools and high schools would not be a bad
idea to promote safety, but I can see how a camera inside the classroom could
make most teachers uncomfortable. What if a parent doesn’t agree with your
style of teaching or he doesn’t like the way you taught a lesson one day? Would
the principal be getting calls from parents complaining about her teachers all
the time? Some parents that do not work might make watching their kids in the
classroom their new hobby. This could possibly create a contrived environment not
only for teachers, but for students as well. Students who know that their
parents are watching may not act naturally or feel free to express themselves.
Many children act differently when their parents are present. This could have
the same effect on teachers.
I read an article (see link
below) about webcams in the classroom to observe teachers and students. My
favorite quote said that the cameras should be "for supervision and not snoopervision," but I’m afraid some administrators would not only use them for security reasons, but they would also use them as an opportunity to “snoop” into their teachers’ classrooms and evaluate their performance on what they see at that moment. I felt the article was unbiased and let you see both sides of the story. Some teachers said they had no problem with the cameras and if you are not doing anything wrong you shouldn’t be afraid. They said it was a great way for parents to check up on their children and for sick students to hear the lessons from home. It all depends on how the teacher feels I guess…they only scary thought I we have no say on this matter. If your administrators decide to install webcams in your classroom all you can do is: Smile, because you will be on Candid Camera from now on!
Hi Larisa,
ReplyDeleteGreat article! I have thought it would be neat to use web cams or Skype to help students catch up on missed work. The past few weeks I've had some chronically sick kids. Some kids can bounce back from this quickly as far as academics. Then there is other students who this makes catching up almost impossible especially where math is concerned as the curriculum builds.
I never really thought of the other side of things, the negatives that might come with having cameras in the classroom. I like you have nothing to hide, but I can see the cameras being used to micro manage and expect perfection at all times from instructors. Also, I wouldn't really want other parents and people staring at my kid during an instructional day. I could see comparisons being made between parents about various kids. All of this just seems like an overall bad idea until some strict guidelines are put in place. But you are right, if they decide this is best all that we can do is smile.
Lydia
Hi Larisa,
ReplyDeleteI don't know what other occupation has as much scrutiny as teaching. The idea of webcams in the classroom underrates us as professionals. Do doctors, lawyers, investment brokers or politicians have cameras on them to assess their work? Convenience store clerks only have them their to protect them from robberies.
I especially agree with your comment regarding parents who might watch the broadcast and judge the teacher based on a lack of knowledge about teaching styles. After all, we are already taught that we teach to our learning style. Do parents have any of this knowledge base from which to assess? Teachers are filling out so much redundant documentation and jumping through a multiplicity of assessment hoops.
Technology has such wonderful potential to provide tools that open our students eyes and keep them engaged in the classroom. Wouldn't it be tragic to watch those tools become more of a hindrance than a benefit? Good work on your blog!