It is common knowledge that the educational system is under tremendous pressure. There are not enough teachers, facilities and other resources. Teachers have to cope with very large groups and apart from teaching, they also have to perform many administrative duties, attend meetings and be involved in other school activities. With their extremely busy schedules, teachers have very little opportunity for self development programs. However, by leading instructional rounds more experienced teachers can help their colleagues to develop both personally and professionally.
Learning from other teachers by observing them in action cost nothing and it is easy to implement an observation system. A more experienced teacher acts as leader and attends the classes of a well regarded colleague in the company of a small group of less experienced teachers. The purpose of the observation session is to learn from the other teacher. Those observing do not take part in any classroom activities.
The leader will have a meeting with the other observers just before each session. They decide upon the goals for that observation session. In most instances the goals will focus on the known strengths of the teacher that will be observed. For example, an educator may be well known for his ability to maintain discipline in his class by using humor. The goals of the session will therefore focus on that aspect of his teaching.
One would be utterly off the mark by thinking that these sessions involves the evaluation of a colleague. There is no element of evaluation at all. The only purpose is to learn. The students are also informed of this fact. No feedback is given after the session unless the teacher being observed specifically requests feedback. Even then the feedback will only focus on positive aspects.
Straight after the observation session the leader will have another meeting with the rest of the observers. In this meeting the purpose is to share with each other the lessons that everyone has learned and the ideas that they have on how to implement those lessons in their own classrooms. In this meeting everything is treated as confidential. No report is submitted and the observers are not allowed to voice any criticism.
Participants in these observation systems are very positive about it. They say that they learn a lot and that they get a chance to interact with professional colleagues. As a result the system has been implemented everywhere and schools even have observer teams visit each other. Colleges and other educational institutions have also caught on. There are numerous benefits including professional development and improved motivation that leads to better teaching.
There are many skeptics too. They do not think that observation sessions offer any benefits. They are too short, too infrequent and too informal, they say. They also dislike the idea that no feedback is given or reports compiled. In their opinion, formal development courses, seminars and conferences are the only way in which to improve the teaching abilities of teachers. They also question the fact that teachers being observed just teach as they always do during these sessions.
The fact remains that the educational system is under pressure. Morale is low and teachers are under pressure. Everything that could possibly help to improve things should be welcomed. Observation sessions seem to benefit everyone concerned, including the students. It should therefore be supported.
Learning from other teachers by observing them in action cost nothing and it is easy to implement an observation system. A more experienced teacher acts as leader and attends the classes of a well regarded colleague in the company of a small group of less experienced teachers. The purpose of the observation session is to learn from the other teacher. Those observing do not take part in any classroom activities.
The leader will have a meeting with the other observers just before each session. They decide upon the goals for that observation session. In most instances the goals will focus on the known strengths of the teacher that will be observed. For example, an educator may be well known for his ability to maintain discipline in his class by using humor. The goals of the session will therefore focus on that aspect of his teaching.
One would be utterly off the mark by thinking that these sessions involves the evaluation of a colleague. There is no element of evaluation at all. The only purpose is to learn. The students are also informed of this fact. No feedback is given after the session unless the teacher being observed specifically requests feedback. Even then the feedback will only focus on positive aspects.
Straight after the observation session the leader will have another meeting with the rest of the observers. In this meeting the purpose is to share with each other the lessons that everyone has learned and the ideas that they have on how to implement those lessons in their own classrooms. In this meeting everything is treated as confidential. No report is submitted and the observers are not allowed to voice any criticism.
Participants in these observation systems are very positive about it. They say that they learn a lot and that they get a chance to interact with professional colleagues. As a result the system has been implemented everywhere and schools even have observer teams visit each other. Colleges and other educational institutions have also caught on. There are numerous benefits including professional development and improved motivation that leads to better teaching.
There are many skeptics too. They do not think that observation sessions offer any benefits. They are too short, too infrequent and too informal, they say. They also dislike the idea that no feedback is given or reports compiled. In their opinion, formal development courses, seminars and conferences are the only way in which to improve the teaching abilities of teachers. They also question the fact that teachers being observed just teach as they always do during these sessions.
The fact remains that the educational system is under pressure. Morale is low and teachers are under pressure. Everything that could possibly help to improve things should be welcomed. Observation sessions seem to benefit everyone concerned, including the students. It should therefore be supported.
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