Self-monitoring in the classroom - A challenge
| Irma Meskhoradze - 01 Jan 2024

Development and progress at an unprecedented pace in the modern world have covered almost all directions of human activity. Technological, scientific, social, or cultural advances and important practical experiences have made us witness many significant changes and innovations in various aspects of life, including the education system. An important change and discovery in the modern education system is the replacement of traditional teacher-centered approaches with student-centered learning approaches. This once again emphasizes the uniqueness of each student, their learning style, and abilities, which significantly differ from each other. 
  Several studies conducted in the field of education confirm that the teacher has the greatest influence on student achievement. The educational process led by him and the opportunities for learning and development significantly determines the trajectory of the students’ future lives. For the teacher to be able to fully realize the potential of each of his students, it is necessary to develop daily, like the students. This, in turn, implies a reflection on one’s practice, monitoring of one’s activities, and constructive feedback. 
 In the lesson the task of the teacher was divided into two parts: First is to know what you do in class, What I did, and how I did it. Authorship, training, knowledge transfer, etc.    Probably, you should constantly think that you will not become boring to your children and that you will spend 45 minutes with them. Being there should not be their only fault. 
  That is why I often use the very interesting method of “self-monitoring” for the development of my professional activities, for which I use various strategies and activities, for example: “keeping a diary in class”, I ask students to fill in an evaluation questionnaire, organize focus groups, and so on. 
 In general, the method of self-monitoring is independent observation of the results of one’s professional activity, detection of errors, and inaccuracies, and their correction. Self-monitoring for teachers means determining the level of productivity of their methodical work at school and self-development. It is quite a time-consuming process, but since the level of preparation of students, their success and activity depends on the professionalism and competence of the teacher. Therefore, its implementation is necessary.
I want to tell you that the teacher does not have a direct obligation to conduct self-monitoring. However, we all know that it is important for us to observe our pedagogical practices while teaching. I believe that it is self-control that allows the teacher to see how fruitful his work was and whether he successfully used the possibilities of the pedagogical process for educational purposes.
  Planning properly. When a teacher plans self-monitoring, first of all, it is necessary to properly organize and conduct it. He should take into account the details because the teacher should remember that along with the differentiation of knowledge, he has to develop an individual approach to the evaluation of the student’s knowledge in the subject he is teaching and not miss the details. Have feedback with the student, because an important component of self-control is the control of establishing feedback, that is, receiving information about the results of the students’ learning activities.
 There are some interesting and effective ways to use self-monitoring that I use often, and now I’m excited to share them with you.
 Observation of the conducted lesson.
 I want to tell you that I often use the self-monitoring method - “observation” during the lessons. At this time, the teacher may focus on one child, several, or the whole class. This process is not so difficult and the teacher can use it in the process of working on a specific topic. “Observation” consists of several parts, which, depending on the task and purpose of work or teaching, the teacher can use as a whole, or on any specific part. In addition, “observation” allows us to assess the skills and knowledge of children in groups and determine how well we have planned to teach the subject and whether the material is relevant for the majority of children. When using this method, it should be taken into account that the teacher “observes” during the summarization of one topic to periodically make notes and analyze his work.
  Work with student focus groups
 As you know, a focus group is one of the most popular methods of qualitative research, the same as “group discussion”. As a rule, 6 to 12 respondents take part in a focus group. I divided the class into 3 groups and led the discussion plan prepared in advance. I try to check what skills and knowledge I have passed on to the students. Of course, it does not look like an interrogation or a test. I tell the students in advance that I am doing this only for myself so that I know what I have succeeded in and what I have not been able to do. I survey at the end of the semester.
Production of a professional diary
 Teachers love to make professional notes and it is necessary. Personally, at the end of the week, I usually summarize my work and the challenges I had. Also, the challenges of each student. It helps me to be constantly prepared and know where I have more work to do.
Evaluation questionnaire for parents


 Parents, together with students, are the best evaluators of our work. Therefore, using their assessment is also a good choice for our self-monitoring. I use a questionnaire that I send to parents at the end of the semester. I also warn them that I just need it for self-monitoring and they should be the strictest evaluators.
Recommendations
  I advise novice teachers to regularly apply the self-monitoring method because the teacher must determine how much his student has mastered knowledge, whether he is ready to perceive new knowledge or not. It is self-control that allows the teacher to see how fruitful his work was and whether he successfully used the possibilities of the pedagogical process for educational purposes.

I am Irma Meskhoradze, a leading English teacher from Georgia. I work in LEPL Mtskheta Municipality village Tserovani N2 public school. I teach English and am an extraordinary 6th grade tutor. I started my teaching career as soon as I graduated from Tbilisi Ilia Chavchavadze Pedagogical Institute of Foreign Languages. At the very first school lesson, I realized that I had chosen the right profession because interacting with children is the greatest pleasure and motivation for me. Together with them, I am involved in a lot of interesting projects, and educational programs, we jointly participate in various conferences where I mentor children and together we present presentations on the projects we have implemented.
  For example, the “Eco Schools Program” implemented by the organization “Protect the Cleanliness of Georgia” is enough. Also, I am a member of various national and international organizations, IIU, GEC, GFC, and GNAEB, where we attend the most important trainings, webinars, and conferences, share our experiences, and cooperate.
 My students and I have received numerous certificates, and awards, which are confirmed by the achievements of students and feedback from parents.
  One of the important challenges for me was when my students and I joined the “world’s largest lesson”, whose theme was “Global Goals for Sustainable Development”, a project initiated by international education expert Ken Robinson and implemented with the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund.
 And finally, I would like to honestly say that I try not to stop, to be always motivated, and to deepen the skills that help me in my professional growth and development, because my life motto is: “I study to teach, I listen to help to understand better”.



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