Student Self-Evaluation
I like to have my students evaluate their dishes when they bring them up to me and talk about what they like about it and what they can improve on. I think this is a great way to help them self-assess on how they can improve individually.
After they have finished, I then evaluate their product and always end with something positive about their product.
Brian,
I completely agree on this as well. I always ask how they feel about their work, and if there are any areas of improvement they feel they should work on. I think after evaluating, ending on a positive note is key. It encourages the student to stay optimistic, especially if you feel that the student(s)they are struggling.
Hi Ramon:
Great response! Self evaluation can partner with practice very nicely. I think anyone who is involved with anything creative or artistic soon realizes it takes practice, practice, and more practice, with each endeavor involving a degree more self analysis and evaluation.
Regards, Barry
That is a good point, I teach photography, so I utilize a 10 point evaluation system which is based on the criteria of one of the largest photographic associations in the world. This allows the students to begin to understand the yard stick which will be used when and if they enter student or professional competitions. I have found with practice students become very good at seeing the points in their own work as well as others in open critique situations. The students who learn to speak the language of the photographer and learn to step back and take an objective look at their own work tend to grow exponentially. Of course those that begin to master the craft aspect are freed to explore the emotion and art of photography which is when it gets really exciting for everyone.
Hi Ramon:
We all critique differently. This is a very subjective activity, with extremes ranging from over confident to barely acheiving. I think a way to get around this is lay out objective-based evaluations that lead to realistic choices. We may tone down some ego's, and build some up in the process.
Regards, Barry
I have found self evaluation to be a very good tool for students who come in thinking that they already have all of the knowledge but just need a degree. When they begin to analyze their own work they can see from their own point of view what can be improved upon. That gives me the opportunity to act as a coach rather than the unrelenting judge.
Students with low self esteem are a bit harder to evaluate, they are especially critical of their own work and it is sometimes difficult to demonstrate to them how well they are progressing in their studies.
Hi Vince:
Sometimes, students are harder or more critical of their work. Yet, they may need fine tuning as well. Great way to develop a rapport with your students.
Regards, Barry
I find this method of self evaluation true for a majority of my students. When they evaluate themselves, they are much harder because they were able to see the the work that they did in "private". When students evaluate themselves first, I get a much better insight on how they approached the technique and objective.
Hi Brian:
Great! Individual discussion, self critique, positive feedback. Sounds like a receipe for success!
Regards, Barry
