Teachers often have to work under very difficult circumstances. They seldom get the chance to interact with colleagues and they often have to make do with very limited resources. Many teachers have to manage large classes and find it difficult to pay attention to the needs of every individual student. Many teachers complain that they do not get the chance to improve their skills and knowledge. Instructional rounds, however, can do much to ease the situation somewhat.
The concept is a simple one, really. A small group of teachers attend the class of a highly experienced and respected teacher and observe how that teacher goes about his business. The observers are also led by a senior educator. Observers do not participate in the classroom activities but merely observe and make notes. No teacher is ever forced to either observe or to be observed.
It is common practice for the observers to meet prior to the observation session. During this meeting they decide upon the goals of the observation session. The teacher being observed may, for example, have a reputation for getting students to participate in a lesson and they may decide that the goal of the observation session will be to learn more about this specific aspect of teaching.
The aim of teachers observing another teacher in action is not to perform an evaluation, but rather to learn from that teacher. In fact, it is common practice to ask the most experienced and successful teachers to agree to an observation session. The students are also informed about the aim of the observation session. No feedback is given to the teacher that was observed, unless he specifically request feedback.
After each session the observers meet again to share with each other the lessons they have learnt and the ideas that they have hatched whilst watching the teacher under observation in action. They also discuss ways in which these lessons and new ideas could be implemented in their own classrooms. Observers do not submit a report and their discussions are deemed to be confidential.
There are numerous benefits to be had in implementing a teacher observation system. Not only do teachers learn from experienced colleagues, but they also get to know each other better. The teachers are not the only ones to benefit. The students also benefit because they are the ones that will be receiving better instruction. In this way the entire educational system is improved and society as a whole benefits.
Critics say that these observation sessions are too short and too infrequent to have any value. They say that teachers scheduled for observation do not act as usual but that they are playing to their audience. These criticisms notwithstanding, educational experts agree that there is everything to gain for encouraging teachers to learn from each other and to share their experiences in the classroom.
Offering quality educational is and should be a very high priority for every society. If the quality of education is compromised the entire society as a whole is also compromised. Teachers learning from each other is a great idea and they should be encouraged to be part of such a system.
The concept is a simple one, really. A small group of teachers attend the class of a highly experienced and respected teacher and observe how that teacher goes about his business. The observers are also led by a senior educator. Observers do not participate in the classroom activities but merely observe and make notes. No teacher is ever forced to either observe or to be observed.
It is common practice for the observers to meet prior to the observation session. During this meeting they decide upon the goals of the observation session. The teacher being observed may, for example, have a reputation for getting students to participate in a lesson and they may decide that the goal of the observation session will be to learn more about this specific aspect of teaching.
The aim of teachers observing another teacher in action is not to perform an evaluation, but rather to learn from that teacher. In fact, it is common practice to ask the most experienced and successful teachers to agree to an observation session. The students are also informed about the aim of the observation session. No feedback is given to the teacher that was observed, unless he specifically request feedback.
After each session the observers meet again to share with each other the lessons they have learnt and the ideas that they have hatched whilst watching the teacher under observation in action. They also discuss ways in which these lessons and new ideas could be implemented in their own classrooms. Observers do not submit a report and their discussions are deemed to be confidential.
There are numerous benefits to be had in implementing a teacher observation system. Not only do teachers learn from experienced colleagues, but they also get to know each other better. The teachers are not the only ones to benefit. The students also benefit because they are the ones that will be receiving better instruction. In this way the entire educational system is improved and society as a whole benefits.
Critics say that these observation sessions are too short and too infrequent to have any value. They say that teachers scheduled for observation do not act as usual but that they are playing to their audience. These criticisms notwithstanding, educational experts agree that there is everything to gain for encouraging teachers to learn from each other and to share their experiences in the classroom.
Offering quality educational is and should be a very high priority for every society. If the quality of education is compromised the entire society as a whole is also compromised. Teachers learning from each other is a great idea and they should be encouraged to be part of such a system.
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