Pedagogy of Mathematics - II

SUBMITTED BY
VINISHA V L
Introduction
∙ Critical incident method is a performance appraisal tool in which analyses the behavior of employee in certain
events in which either he performed very well and the ones in which he could have done better.
Incident method
∙ In this method the teacher presents a slice of reality that is a happening from real life.
∙ The students are asked to identify the problem and to recommend an action that needs to be taken in order to
deal with it effectively.
∙ All the students try to reconstruct the full incident by seeking additional information by questioning the teacher.
∙ After gathering all necessary information, they define the problem and think of a solution ( s ) to solve it.
∙ The students use their knowledge in examining different solutions before arriving at the most suitable one.
∙ Sometimes the teacher reveals the actual solution of the problem so that they may compare it with the decision
recommended by them that is the students.
∙ The essential features of the incident method thus are: brief statement of the problem, extensive questioning by
the participants, supply of information by the teacher, group discussion and recommendations regarding the
solution of the problem.
∙ Please remember that this method does not provide knowledge of a particular solution, but it provides training
in the process of arriving at a workable solution.
Advantages of Incident Method
1. Flexible method that can be used to improve multi – user systems.
2. Data is collected from the respondent’s perspective and in his or her own words.
3. Does not force the respondents into any given framework.
4. Identifies even rare events that might be missed by other methods.
5. In expensive and provides rich information.
6. Can be applied using questionnaires or interviews.
Disadvantages of Incident Method
1. Incident method often relay on memory. Incidents may be imprecise or may even go unreported.
2. The method has a built – in bias towards incidents that happened recently, since these are easier to recall.
3. Since this method is based on incidents, it does not say anything about the everyday situation so it is not very
representative.
Conclusion
∙ The critical incident method is a practical method that allows researchers to understand complexities of the
nursing role and function , and the interactions between nurses and other clinicians.