When I was a new teacher in New York State, the State Education Department (NYSED) required all provisionally certified teachers to videotape themselves teaching. Without the videotape, teachers could not become permanently certified. With 6 months left on my provisional certification, I borrowed a video camera, bought a VHS tape (yes, VHS) and figured out a plan for how to film.
The video needed to include a large group lecture, small group instruction, and it could not be edited. The large group of first graders had to flow seamlessly into 5 or 6 small groups. I did my large group instruction, and then the students broke into groups for centers. It wasn't easy to do centers with children that young at the beginning of the year, but they persevered...as did I. It may have had something to do with the fact that I did the same exact lesson the day before for a practice run. I wasn't willing to take a risk with my permanent certification, even though the rumor was that most of the VHS tapes sat in a housing area where they went unwatched.
A few months later the confirmation letter came through the mail that said I received a "Pass" on my video. I moved on to teaching and meeting other requirements like getting an advanced degree within five years so I could keep the permanent certification, but learned very little about the power of using video to enhance instruction.
There was nothing enhancing about the process, which included sending a check for over $100. The reality is that it was more about compliance and less about learning. I didn't have a second copy of the tape so I was only able to watch it once before mailing it in, and the only thing I looked for is whether I met the large and small group requirement.
It was a missed opportunity.
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