Shadowing Phase

 

From Observation to Inspiration: My Shadowing Phase Experience at Samtengang Central School

Stepping into Samtengang Central School as a teacher trainee has been more than just a requirement of my teaching practice it has been a journey of discovery, reflection, and growth. Over the past few weeks, I had the privilege of observing my mentor teaching five ICT lessons to Class VIII (sections A, B, C, D, and E). These lessons focused on essential digital presentation skills, and each session offered me valuable insights into effective teaching practices. 

Through this shadowing phase, I didn’t just observe teaching I began to understand the art of engaging learners in a meaningful and interactive way.

1. Master Slides: The Backbone of Effective Presentation

One of the most eye-opening lessons was on Master Slides. Initially, I viewed slides as simple presentation tools, but my mentor demonstrated how master slides ensure consistency, structure, and professionalism. I noticed how uniform layouts helped students focus more on content rather than being distracted by inconsistent designs. It made me realize that good teaching is not just about what we teach, but also how we present it.

From this lesson, I learned that planning ahead and organizing content systematically can greatly improve clarity and accessibility for learners. In fact, structured slide layouts also support better understanding and accessibility for students 

2. Multimedia (Inserting Images): Making Learning Visible

The lesson on inserting images truly highlighted the power of visuals in education. My mentor carefully selected relevant images that directly supported the lesson objectives rather than using decorative ones.

This made a strong impact on me. I observed that students were more attentive and engaged when images were used meaningfully. It aligns with the idea that multimedia combining text and visuals helps learners process information more effectively.

I also learned an important teaching principle: every image should have a purpose. Irrelevant images can distract learners instead of helping them.

3. Multimedia (Audio): Giving Voice to Learning

Incorporating audio into presentations added a completely new dimension to teaching. My mentor used audio not just as an addition, but as a tool to capture attention and enhance understanding.

Audio elements, when used effectively, can act as signals, explanations, or even storytelling tools. I noticed that students became more curious and engaged when they heard sound integrated into lessons. This reflects how multimedia uses multiple channels visual and auditory to improve learning and retention.

However, I also realized that audio must be used carefully. Too much or irrelevant sound can overwhelm students rather than support learning.

4. Visual Effects (Animation): Bringing Content to Life

Animation was one of the most exciting lessons to observe. My mentor used simple animations to highlight key points and guide students step-by-step through the content.

I observed that animations helped in:

• Breaking complex information into smaller parts
• Maintaining students’ attention
• Making lessons more interactive

Animations in presentations allow objects to appear, move, or change, making content more dynamic and engaging.

However, this lesson also taught me balance. Too many animations can distract learners, so they must be used purposefully.

5. Visual Effects (Hyperlink): Creating Interactive Learning

The final lesson on hyperlinks introduced me to the concept of interactive learning. Hyperlinks allowed navigation between slides, websites, and additional resources, making the lesson more flexible and student-centered.

I observed how this feature transformed a linear presentation into an interactive experience. Students could explore content in a non-linear way, which increased their curiosity and participation.

Hyperlinks act as bridges, connecting different pieces of information and enabling smooth navigation within and beyond the presentation.

This made me realize that teaching is not just about delivering information, but also about creating pathways for exploration.

Final Reflection

As I prepare to teach my own lessons, I carry these experiences with me. Observing my mentor was not just about learning techniques it was about understanding the responsibility of shaping young minds.

This journey from observation to practice has made me more confident, reflective, and motivated to become a better educator.

And this is just the beginning!