Managing Workload 4

I recently read The Managing Workload Pocketbook from the brilliant Teachers' Pocketbooks series. The book was written by Will Thomas. This is the fourth in a series a posts about my learning from the book. This time I consider his excellent advice for marking, feedback and working with parents.

Until reading this book it hadn't occurred to me that the way you handle your communication with parents, and the way that you mark and give feedback, can make a huge difference to managing a workload. Of course, I knew that they added to your workload; but the way they are managed can reduce the effect on a workload.

Marking and Feedback

Some evidence shows children pay little attention to written feedback where a grade is given. Effective feedback encourages children to reflect and is surprisingly smart in terms of teacher workload. Consider using the following techniques more of the time:

• Set clear criteria for work - students with focus make fewer mistakes - less to correct.
• Set some work as concept maps - you can get a good overview of understanding.
• Use dots to indicate an error, but write nothing else - encourage reflection.
• Use peer feedback which identifies a 4:1 ratio of strengths:development points.
• Mark one piece of work in three, and use peer feedback for the others.
• Students share their work before they submit it and correct their own mistakes.
• Speed-mark by marking a question at a time rather than a whole test paper at a time.

Working with difficult parents.

When complaints or concerns are dealt with sensitively from the start, satisfaction is maximised and time spent in resolution is minimised.

1. Listen and acknowledge - allow them to express themselves uninterrupted.
2. Ask them what they think they need in order to resolve the issue.
3. Agree to reasonable requests. Consider when and who with action them.
4. Add any further elements to the solution you feel are necessary.
5. Give a clear and realistic date when you will contact them and tell them about progress.
6. Ask them how they are feeling now and allow any further expression - take any further action needed to reassure them.
7. Thank them and remind them you have their child's best interests at heart.

This is all great advice! The book goes into much more detail to clarify the ideas further.