Sharing classroom experiences: A critical incident

How can a critical incident (CI) in the classroom be used as a strategy? It seems strange because these two words are often connected with negative experiences, the ones to be forgotten as quickly as possible. However, Fernández González (2003) states that it is very useful to analyze classroom events deeply and instead of solving them spontaneously, as we usually do, we should consider them as a powerful strategy to grow as professional teachers. He also argues that this analysis should be done at Teaching English as a Foreign Language College:

    Es importante tratar sobre incidentes críticos con los profesores en formación ya que, al plantear  estas propuestas didácticas se procura que constituyan parte de los contenidos; es decir que pasen a formar parte del aprendizaje significativo, del conocimiento implícito del profesor. (p 104)

I remember a CI which I experienced at the very beginning of my career. I was teaching a group of adults in a language school. One of them was a girl who was very shy and hardworking. However, she became another person when she failed her first test. At seeing her low mark, she became extremely aggressive and she accused me of being unjust to her. I tried to calm her down and asked her to wait till the end of the class when I would explain the corrections. She threw the test and left the room very angrily. It was very difficult for me to go on with the class. The rest of the students were very understanding and helped me to relax and continue. The authorities of the school talked to her later and explained to me that she had psychological and emotional problems which nobody had noticed before. Apparently she could not cope with her failure in the test and that event triggered her bad reaction towards me. She never came back to classes again.

I felt extremely disappointed and frustrated by the situation. After reflecting on the incident and with the help of my colleagues, the other students, and the authorities I could overcome it. It really took me a long time to understand that a difficult situation with one person does not mean trouble for ever. I had not been taught that unexpected situations are likely to occur when you deal with human beings. Every person brings along experiences, ideas, beliefs, feelings and emotions that determine his or her reactions and attitudes. The description and the analysis of CIs in the classroom can be a very useful way of training prospective teachers before they encounter their students for the first time.

References

Fernández, J.; Elortegui, N. y Medina, M. (2003). Los incidentes críticos en la formación y perfeccionamiento del profesorado de secundaria de ciencias de la naturaleza. Revista Interuniversitaria de formación de Profesorado, año/vol.17.número 001. Universidad de Zaragoza, España.