Some of the comments Rain left are things that I have been thinking about as well, namely the silence and pause. I feel that part of this is due to the lack of participation in the group, it can be a challenge to have a thorough group discussion when not everyone is comfortable speaking. It’s not feasible for me to carry an entire conversation for the whole 3 hours, and it would be good to think of strategies to increase engagement. Perhaps asking particular student’s opinion?
The comment about having a lighter atmosphere is something that I have felt myself. I sometimes think I take tutorials quite seriously which can create a bit of an intimidating atmosphere. I want my students to do well and perhaps my high expectations create a less welcoming environment, especially when I compare it to Rain’s class.
I like the suggestion of a recap at the end. It could be a good opportunity to highlight what was learned from the session.
I also want to point out that being observed was a very nerve wracking experience for me, as someone who is self-conscious it was not something I was looking forward to. However, after receiving the feedback I saw the benefit of it and it has helped me develop a better understanding of how I teach and how that in turn has an impact on my student’s experience.