Giving constructive feedback...

Obviously throughout this task we would all have different opinions and different expectations that we would expect of ourselves.  Some of my group member's sent through drafts of their content for our Wiki today. I was made to think hard and relate back to the peer review system and remember how to go about giving constructive feedback rather than negative. After all, this was a group task and we were there to support each other. It's just a case of diplomatically putting our views out there. I didn't want to go and criticise or hurt any of my groups efforts.  It is important when working in a group to consider how to voice your opinions carefully, and avoid offending or insulting anyone.

Lesson Plan (Draft): I was very happy with the progress made on the lesson plan so far. Mel had quite obviously put a lot of time and thought into the content. I had a few suggestions that I wanted to contribute. I was just hoping she wouldn't mind the feedback. I had great difficulties in trying to explain in words the things I was trying to say without sounding negative. The content I thought was great but I had a different image in my head regarding the structure of the plan. I was picturing more of an easy table layout. At present I work at a Primary School in Millner and have had many relief teachers during my time here with my year 3/4 class. I could relate back to when they would walk into my class and pick up the teachers lesson plan and could not even be bother to read the half of it. Too much description too long paragraphs. They wanted the task to be explained quickly, simply and to be able to access the lesson content fast. I wanted to try and explain this all when giving feedback to my team member but didn't know how to make it all make sense. So instead I asked her if she would mind me editing the word document so that I was able to show her what I had in mind. 

I took the word document and converted it into a table format allowing for a day,week, lesson description and resources needed as headings. There were also a few extra details that I felt needed adding which was agreed upon. We had a discussion of what sort of time frame would be expected from a year 4/5 class.  I suggested a note to say what a standard lesson is typically based on eg. 45min period and also suggesting allowing more time for some tasks like using Ipads in groups they may need more than one lesson as I realise how long things can take sometimes in the classroom and doesn't always conform to the teachers initial lesson plan.

So far in this task I believe we have been collaborating very well as a team. We have all formed good relationships with one another and have each given opinions and our own contributions to the task. Although now, considering this is a group task, I should do some background reading on what does make a good team.