The majority of teachers work very hard and they take their jobs very seriously. Unfortunately, most teachers work in isolation. They seldom have the chance to interact with their peers and they are not often able to attend training sessions that will help them keep up to date on the latest techniques and teaching aids. This is where instructional rounds can be valuable. It allows teachers to learn from each other.
Observation exercises have nothing to do with teacher evaluation. In fact, the teacher being observed is not even given any feedback unless he asks for it. The observers are there purely to learn from their colleague. They may want to see how another teacher maintains discipline in the classroom, elicit participation from the student or make use graphic aids to render complex concepts easily understandable.
Setting up an observer roster is very simple. It is even possible to observe teachers at other schools. The students are told what the purpose of the exercise is and the observers do not take any part in the teaching or classroom interaction. Those being observed are often highly qualified and experienced educators. They are never forced to agree to an observation session.
Observers will get the maximum benefit if they narrow down the focus of their observations. They may decide to focus on teacher student interaction, or on the use of visual aids, for example. In this way all the observers concentrate upon the same aspects which allow them to compare notes at a later stage. Observation sessions seldom last longer than a quarter of an hour.
After each observation session the observers meet to discuss their experiences. During this session the observers list the lessons that they have learned. They analyze the way in which the teacher they observed achieved his teaching objectives. They also try to discuss ways in which they can use those lessons to improve their own teaching techniques. These debriefing sessions remain confidential and observers never submit a report of any kind.
There are many benefits to these observation exercises. Students most certainly benefit because their teachers will be using new techniques in the classroom. The teachers grow professionally and they often get better results. The observed teacher is benefits because he has been recognized as someone that is likely to help other teachers develop themselves. The system works well because there are no threats to anyone that is involved.
While it is easy to implement an observation roster care should be taken to manage the system. The teacher being observed should never be criticized and observers should never discuss their experiences with anybody that was not part of the observer group. This can result in conflict and resentment. It is also important to use only volunteers for observation purposes.
Anything that helps to improve the standard of education should be welcomed and encouraged. Allowing teachers to observe each other in action and to learn from it is a simple way in which to improve teaching techniques. It is also an excellent way in which to acknowledge those teachers that are willing to share their experiences.
Observation exercises have nothing to do with teacher evaluation. In fact, the teacher being observed is not even given any feedback unless he asks for it. The observers are there purely to learn from their colleague. They may want to see how another teacher maintains discipline in the classroom, elicit participation from the student or make use graphic aids to render complex concepts easily understandable.
Setting up an observer roster is very simple. It is even possible to observe teachers at other schools. The students are told what the purpose of the exercise is and the observers do not take any part in the teaching or classroom interaction. Those being observed are often highly qualified and experienced educators. They are never forced to agree to an observation session.
Observers will get the maximum benefit if they narrow down the focus of their observations. They may decide to focus on teacher student interaction, or on the use of visual aids, for example. In this way all the observers concentrate upon the same aspects which allow them to compare notes at a later stage. Observation sessions seldom last longer than a quarter of an hour.
After each observation session the observers meet to discuss their experiences. During this session the observers list the lessons that they have learned. They analyze the way in which the teacher they observed achieved his teaching objectives. They also try to discuss ways in which they can use those lessons to improve their own teaching techniques. These debriefing sessions remain confidential and observers never submit a report of any kind.
There are many benefits to these observation exercises. Students most certainly benefit because their teachers will be using new techniques in the classroom. The teachers grow professionally and they often get better results. The observed teacher is benefits because he has been recognized as someone that is likely to help other teachers develop themselves. The system works well because there are no threats to anyone that is involved.
While it is easy to implement an observation roster care should be taken to manage the system. The teacher being observed should never be criticized and observers should never discuss their experiences with anybody that was not part of the observer group. This can result in conflict and resentment. It is also important to use only volunteers for observation purposes.
Anything that helps to improve the standard of education should be welcomed and encouraged. Allowing teachers to observe each other in action and to learn from it is a simple way in which to improve teaching techniques. It is also an excellent way in which to acknowledge those teachers that are willing to share their experiences.
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