This Unit is premised on the
view that lesson conferencing must focus on the
subject specifics of teaching. It is assumed
that the teachers studying this Unit will be
well versed on how to teach their subject, within
the context of the Hong Kong curriculum.
Being a good mentor or peer reviewer, however,
not only requires good subject knowledge and
personal teaching skills, it also requires an
ability to analyse lessons and raise important
and searching subject relevant questions, in
a supportive but challenging manner. That is
why it cannot be assumed that a very good subject
teacher will inevitably be a good mentor, able
to support a novice teacher and pass on her/his
teaching skills. Also, a good mentor or peer
reviewer will be aware that a novice teacher
or colleague may have insights about how to teach
the subject that he or she has overlooked.
It is strongly suggested that you work in subject-based
grouping for much of this Unit. Each subject
grouping has its own subject video, which will
provide a prompt for discussion. The Unit as
a whole will be based around three questions:
- what does it mean to be a good teacher of
this subject;
- what skills are required to be a good mentor
in this subject;
- what is required when structuring and designing
a productive post-lesson conference in regard
to this subject?
The Unit ends with an opportunity for each
subject group to present their ideas in a plenary,
where similarities and differences in the answers
to these questions can be discussed.
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