Teachers often have to do their work under very difficult circumstances. They seldom have all the resources that they need, they have to cope with large classes and they have numerous administrative responsibilities on top of their teaching duty. Meetings and extra curricular activities consume even more time. There is no time to develop professionally. Luckily, if there is an experienced teacher leading instructional rounds, teachers can learn a lot from each other.
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 of the observing group will chair a meeting before each session. During this meeting they set certain goals for the observation session. Teachers being observed are normally chosen because they are known for their excellence in specific areas. The goals for the observation session will then concentrate upon those areas of excellence. No teacher is forced to participate as either observer or to be the one being observed.
There is no question of evaluation during observation sessions. That would defy the entire idea of the system altogether. Observers do no score, they do not criticize and they do not evaluate. They learn, that is all. They observe and try to improve themselves in the process. That is the only purpose. To this end, observers never provide feedback to the teacher that they observed.
The leader of the observers will chair another meeting soon after the observation session. This time the purpose of the meeting is to compare notes. No criticism is allowed. Instead, observers share with each other the lessons that they have learnt and their ideas on how to implement them in their own classrooms. This meeting is deemed to be confidential and no report is ever submitted.
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 of the observing group will chair a meeting before each session. During this meeting they set certain goals for the observation session. Teachers being observed are normally chosen because they are known for their excellence in specific areas. The goals for the observation session will then concentrate upon those areas of excellence. No teacher is forced to participate as either observer or to be the one being observed.
There is no question of evaluation during observation sessions. That would defy the entire idea of the system altogether. Observers do no score, they do not criticize and they do not evaluate. They learn, that is all. They observe and try to improve themselves in the process. That is the only purpose. To this end, observers never provide feedback to the teacher that they observed.
The leader of the observers will chair another meeting soon after the observation session. This time the purpose of the meeting is to compare notes. No criticism is allowed. Instead, observers share with each other the lessons that they have learnt and their ideas on how to implement them in their own classrooms. This meeting is deemed to be confidential and no report is ever submitted.
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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