Mid-Term VTS Reflections

The Fortune Teller, Robert Doisneau

• Student Engagement and Learning

-I'm not sure if it was because of the first day back from fall break or because of Halloween being just around the corner but my students were very chatty for lesson 3. They were very willing to participate. I allowed the students to vote on which image they wanted to VTS. I showed them three images which I had previously chosen and let them chose which one they wanted to discuss for lesson 3. They unanimously chose The Fortune Teller. They loved her. They loved her so much that they kept just speaking out loud one after another forgetting about me making it difficult for me to paraphrase and point out their observations.    So I ended up having to paraphrase and point out multiple students statements at one time. I also had to keep reminding them to raise their hands and allow one another to speak. The discussion certainly went off on tangents that the students had not done before but I think part of that was the creepy nature of the image and the fact that Halloween was right around the corner. These tangents brought a level of unintentional humor to the discussion as well which was a first. 
-I have noticed that the students seem more secure in their individual responses and are more willing to go out on a limb. 
-I've only seen the quality of the discussion improve slightly but I feel that it will continue to improve with more experience. 
-The student interactions during lesson 3 were great. They were involved and listening and even in some cases trying to out-do one another by seeing something else. The group dynamic is improving with each discussion and helping to included more students with each discussion. 
-The students are certainly learning to look and listen much closer and better than they ever did before and I think that VTS has encouraged them to think outside of the box as well. Since we have started using photographs for our VTS images I have also noticed the students paying attention to the composition, lighting, and other things that we have been working with in photography class. 

• Reflective Practice

-Teaching VTS has taught me to speak less and listen more. This was not something that I did before and I'm not sure why because the students have so much of value to say. 
-I was getting better with the prescribed questions and behaviors until my students bombarded me during lesson 3 and then I felt completely out of control. But yes I do think that I am comfortable with them during most lessons. 
-I was challenged during lesson 3 when my students were eagerly speaking and forgetting about my role in VTS. I didn't want to discourage their enthusiasm or their observations but at the same time it was difficult for me to speak and paraphrase and point out their observations. 
-My surprise during lesson 3 was the students reaction to the image. They loved it and because they loved it they ran with it and it was difficult for me to keep up. 
-I feel confident using VTS and my students are confident with it too at this point. 

• Planning for the Future:

-I would like to try to VTS with a smaller group, maybe half or even a third of my class. I feel that several of my students aren't willing to speak in such a large group discussion. 
-Because I am doing VTS with my photography class I think that I may try to set up a schedule were certain groups will stay in and do VTS on different days while other groups are out taking photos. In theory it should work.