A Rollercoaster of Emotions and Hidden Revelations

Noticing is a ride on an emotional rollercoaster to self-discovery.

Little did I know that when I stepped into the world of AI that I would have an encounter which is anything but ordinary. By the time I was introduced to Noticing all of the AI applications I had used helped me save time and did the work for me: generate lesson plans, create tests, write feedback for my students, create listening activities tailored to the needs of my students etc. To my surprise, Noticing was all but yet another tool; it became my reflective partner that guided me through self-discovery and professional growth.

The prevailing feelings I got from the moment I began using Noticing for post-lesson reflection were excitement and curiosity. To see what this AI could offer, I shared a challenge I was facing with a particular student. Surprisingly, unlike other AI tools that immediately offer solutions, I was faced with a completely different approach.

Like in a conversation with a real person, it started asking me questions that were thoughtful and probing; this reminded me of a therapy session. The result was a range of emotions: excitement at trying something new, followed by frustration as I delved deeper into my thoughts, including moments of discomfort. I was asked to analyze and reflect on situations and conversations that didn’t at the time seem directly relevant to my inquiry, only to discover that the answers I was looking for had been within me all along.

Hence, I wouldn’t define Noticing only as an app that helps you find a solution; it is your assistant through your journey of professional and personal development since it forces you out of your comfort zone and makes you confront issues that you might otherwise avoid. This can be tiring at times, however, making sense of your own classroom situations is unavoidably rewarding in the end.

Noticing doesn’t only assist you but it also transforms you. Especially if you are a teacher who feels stuck in routine challenges, this app nudges you gently but firmly out of complacency and helps you rediscover your passion for teaching. In this way, Noticing helps you know yourself better, it empowers you to find the answers within yourself and by yourself — a rollercoaster of emotions and hidden revelations that every teacher should experience.

On top of this, you get to enjoy the privacy of exploration. Judgment by colleagues and embarrassment from appearing vulnerable are at bay; you are in a safe space to reach conclusions and find answers on your own.

After I realized what Noticing can do for me as a teacher, I started exploring its capacity when it comes to my work as a mentor. Very often I feel overwhelmed with paperwork. Keeping track of my work both as a teacher and as a mentor is a boring and time-consuming task for me. Also, meeting my mentee in person is not always possible so we use different platforms to meet online. In that sense, I discovered that Noticing can be my apprentice and save me time by keeping all of the notes from our mentorials in one place.

It helps me track my mentees’ progress by documenting key observations. It also serves as a communication tool for us, which means I get to spend less time switching between apps to stay in touch with my mentees. All of this raises my hopes that I can support more than one mentee at a time without feeling overwhelmed or frustrated.

In the ever-evolving landscape of AI applications, Noticing stands out as a true ally for educators. It’s not just about saving time; it’s also about enriching the teaching experience and fostering continuous personal and professional growth. So, if you get the chance, take a ride on this rollercoaster — it’s a journey that promises to be as enlightening as it is transformative.