Once a teacher has been trained and posted to his or her work station that should not be the end of their learning process. They ought to constantly engage in other simple learning processes that will help them remain relevant and adopt new and better teaching methods. This is possible with the development of the instructional rounds program where teachers learn from their colleagues.
The rounds are used once in a while and they cannot be used all the time. Once a semester is okay. However, it has to get agreed upon when it will be done, it should not be something abrupt. The lead teacher is chosen depending on how professional he is, how well he can control a group and how well of a leader he is. He also should be a leader somewhere else which makes him command respect from other teachers.
In some schools they are also called instructional coaches, people who other teachers can listen to. Some people feel uncomfortable with such arrangements thinking that they are being valued, which is not necessarily the case. The teachers who are observed do so on a voluntary basis. However, some veterans in the field can also be chosen to demonstrate how it works to those who are new to the rounds. Any teacher can volunteer his or her class for the rounds.
The groups do not exceed five people counting the lead teacher too. More people would also work but this would disrupt the class too much as they settle down, they would be harder to control and the discussion would take less. The students require to be informed too before the time arrives as they are also part of the process. This is a learning process for the teachers as it usually is for students.
The rounds take place during actual learning time. They walk in a few minutes after the class has started and they slowly and quietly settle at the back of the class. There are seats preserved for them. Taking notes is an important part of the lesson. Some are selective in what they observe while others make a general observation of everything going on.
You do not need to worry that the process will take up too much of your time as it is programmed to turn out no more than fifteen minutes. They have to be very keen, both in listening and watching and at the same time take notes. It is a learning process that should be taken positively by all and all teachers should be encouraged to participate.
As soon as the observation period is over, they have to meet and discuss what they noted down. They take turns to each bring out their points and finally the lead teacher summarizes the discussion. The discussion is not to portray the teacher negatively but to encourage them to continue with their strong points and drop the bad ones. For this to be possible, rules have to be set and followed.
When they sit around to discuss their observations, first they look at the positives then the negatives are discussed later. The negatives are not brought out bluntly since it would annoy or discourage the teacher in questions. Rather they use a polite and gentle language such as asking questions on what they were not comfortable with.
The rounds are used once in a while and they cannot be used all the time. Once a semester is okay. However, it has to get agreed upon when it will be done, it should not be something abrupt. The lead teacher is chosen depending on how professional he is, how well he can control a group and how well of a leader he is. He also should be a leader somewhere else which makes him command respect from other teachers.
In some schools they are also called instructional coaches, people who other teachers can listen to. Some people feel uncomfortable with such arrangements thinking that they are being valued, which is not necessarily the case. The teachers who are observed do so on a voluntary basis. However, some veterans in the field can also be chosen to demonstrate how it works to those who are new to the rounds. Any teacher can volunteer his or her class for the rounds.
The groups do not exceed five people counting the lead teacher too. More people would also work but this would disrupt the class too much as they settle down, they would be harder to control and the discussion would take less. The students require to be informed too before the time arrives as they are also part of the process. This is a learning process for the teachers as it usually is for students.
The rounds take place during actual learning time. They walk in a few minutes after the class has started and they slowly and quietly settle at the back of the class. There are seats preserved for them. Taking notes is an important part of the lesson. Some are selective in what they observe while others make a general observation of everything going on.
You do not need to worry that the process will take up too much of your time as it is programmed to turn out no more than fifteen minutes. They have to be very keen, both in listening and watching and at the same time take notes. It is a learning process that should be taken positively by all and all teachers should be encouraged to participate.
As soon as the observation period is over, they have to meet and discuss what they noted down. They take turns to each bring out their points and finally the lead teacher summarizes the discussion. The discussion is not to portray the teacher negatively but to encourage them to continue with their strong points and drop the bad ones. For this to be possible, rules have to be set and followed.
When they sit around to discuss their observations, first they look at the positives then the negatives are discussed later. The negatives are not brought out bluntly since it would annoy or discourage the teacher in questions. Rather they use a polite and gentle language such as asking questions on what they were not comfortable with.
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