The Value of Self-Evaluation

In the past week I have had to self-evaluate my progress in the PME course. I often make my students self-evaluate. And the results are often unpredictable and sometimes amusing. Self-Evaluation is fascinating, for people who enjoy talking about themselves and have a strong sense of confidence in their abilities it is easy to evaluate. When I evaluate skills that I am really good at, I evaluate myself very high. I know I am good at what I do. But then, I get asked to evaluate my skills in areas that I am just learning about and reflecting about. This is a much tougher process. Self evaluation is difficult when what you are trying to gauge is your abilities in new materials. On the one side, I think I am awesome, that I am getting a really good grip on what I am learning. But then I remember…. when I first learned to do things, I thought I was awesome as well. Turning 16 and learning to drive….. thought I was awesome, I reflect years later and I know that I was not. When I was a student in High School, I thought I was a fantastic student, reflecting back now as a teacher….. I was not the best that I could be. So now with evaluating myself as an older more practical educator….. I evaluate simply. I am not an expert, I am not proficient, I am emerging. Emerging into the knowledge of innovation, creation, teaching, and learning. I am on the tail end of my teaching career, I am middle aged, and I am still able to put myself into positions that are new and I am enjoying learning about. This to me is the spice of life!