I have been wondering, actually doubting, the effectiveness of the jury system. Particularly the kind of arrangement where the student often stands singly in front of a panel of ‘judges’ evaluating their creative productions.
I often observe that even though the presenting student might be listening intently (often not), their peers are more likely to be browsing through their phones or their souls missing in action. Many are waiting for the review session to be over. This, of course, changes when some high-profile figure shows up. For good or bad reasons, the students would participate without being dazed.
One alternative to the typical protocol that works better is the vineyard arrangement, where the works are placed in the center, with students surrounding it. This turn away from the “critique” and towards “sharing” of the work focuses not so much on individuality but on collective learning and reflection. The physical emphasis of the center brings attention to the work being shared. Very often, learning for me is not so much about what is being said but what is being felt and experienced in that particular moment.
