Whether you are a veteran teacher, or this is your first year in the classroom, we all have room to improve. The greatest teachers I have had as a student, and worked with as colleagues, are those who continue to look for ways to improve their teaching methods. Are you ready for an honest, up-front reality check on your teaching? Take the challenge and conduct a video self-assessment.

The concept is simple. Set up a video camera, or use a built in web-cam in your computer, to record yourself teaching for an entire day. Set the camera up in the back of the class, in an inconspicuous location where it won’t be bothered by students or guests. Turn it on before students enter the class and turn it off after the last student has exited each period. After a few minutes you will likely forget it is even there – but by the end of the day you will have a great resource for professional development.

I didn’t realize I said, “Absolutely!” after each student comment, or that by fourth period I was much shorter with students than at the beginning of the day. I never saw Carlos’ hand raised when I was asking for volunteers, and could I really have spent that much time talking to the right side of the classroom? I can’t even read what I wrote on the board! These may be just a few of the observations you’ll make as you sit down and review your tapes. No need to share these with anyone else, they are simply a tool for you to conduct a quick self-evaluation and continually improve.

A few thoughts to consider: Check with your principal or administrators to see if there are any steps you need to take prior to videotaping students in a class. Record each class! You may be surprised how differently you interact with students from one period to the next, depending on the students or the time of day. You also may want to let the video set for a few days before viewing. Don’t watch your video at the end of a long day, instead, set aside time when your mind is fresh to honestly evaluate your teaching.