Portfolio Guide 5

Peer presentations and assigned tasks

At various times throughout the course your peers will give presentations, lead seminar discussions or present the results of their research to the class. For each of these you should do the following:

1. give an overview of what was done, by whom, and for what purpose;
2. reflect on what you have learned from watching your peer's performance and from your participation in the activities (include both positive impressions and any constructive criticisms that are relevant to your own development) regarding:
   • the science content of the presentation, in terms of the key scientific themes addressed and their relevance to the school science curriculum;
   • the presentation or pedagogical/teaching aspects of the presentation/task e.g.
     • preparation of teaching materials
     • use of voice (audibility, tone, variation, emphasis), language (appropriate use of terms) and gesture
     • audience engagement
     • audience involvement
     • variation
     • pacing and timing
     • clarity of explanations
     • use of questions
     • creativity and innovation
     • enthusiasm and confidence;

Make notes on the general things you think you have learned from observing the various presentations. Consider such things as:

• What were the most striking, memorable or otherwise impressive things seen in the presentations? Why?
• What were the main things you learned about teaching as a result of seeing the different explanations? Make a list.
• Have some of your impressions about teaching, gathered from your prior experiences of "teaching" at school and at uni, been challenged or changed by what you have seen?
• What were the most important aspects of a successful teaching activity?
• What are the main things to be avoided in planning a teaching activity?

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