Teachers spend long periods alone in the classrooms with their students and they have little time for interaction with other teachers, especially on a professional level. Many teachers do not actually know how they are doing regarding their teaching techniques. Naturally, teachers have a lot to learn from each other but this can only be achieved if there is a system that allows them to do so. Instructional rounds certainly seem to address this need effectively.
It is important to understand that the purpose of this activity is to learn from observing another teacher in action, not to evaluate the teacher being observed. If the exercise is perceived as a test of some sort, it may lose all value to the observers. Of course, feedback may be given if required. However, the main benefit is observe another professional and to find ways in which to learn from the experience.
It is simple to get an observation schedule going. In most cases, the teachers that will be observed are those that have long experienced and that are professionally respected by their colleagues. The observers simply attend the class and do not interfere with the lesson on any level. Students are told what the purpose of the exercise is. Sometimes teachers even observe professionals at other schools.
In most cases observers decide beforehand to pay particular attention to a few specific issues. They may decide to pay particular attention to the way in which the observed teacher maintains discipline in the class, or how students are made to participate in the process. By focusing on specific issues the observation session and the subsequent discussion can be more productive.
As soon as an observation session is finished, a debriefing should be conducted. During the debriefing the observers share their opinions with each other and they discuss various ways in which they can improve their own teaching methods by using lessons learned during the observation session. Debriefings are confidential and observations are not shared outside the circle of observers. Feedback is only given to the observed teacher if it is requested.
Educational experts agree that these observation sessions benefit the entire education system. It helps teachers to learn from each other and to introduce new and fresh ideas in their own classrooms. Teachers being observed are motivated anew because they are recognized by their colleagues as a professional from who can be learned. Students also benefit when teachers try new ideas to improve their teaching techniques.
Great care should be taken to make sure that the observation system remains non threatening, especially to those teachers being observed. If such sessions turn into evaluation sessions all the potential benefits may be lost. Harm can also be caused by observes that discuss sessions outside the observer circle. Similarly, if teachers are pressurized into an observation situation, they may become resentful and this may harm the quality of teaching.
Anything that improves the quality of the education system should be embraced and applauded. When teachers can help each other to improve their own performance everybody wins. After all, the quality of education is and always will be the prime indicator of the quality of the community. Every parent wants his child to receive the best schooling possible.
It is important to understand that the purpose of this activity is to learn from observing another teacher in action, not to evaluate the teacher being observed. If the exercise is perceived as a test of some sort, it may lose all value to the observers. Of course, feedback may be given if required. However, the main benefit is observe another professional and to find ways in which to learn from the experience.
It is simple to get an observation schedule going. In most cases, the teachers that will be observed are those that have long experienced and that are professionally respected by their colleagues. The observers simply attend the class and do not interfere with the lesson on any level. Students are told what the purpose of the exercise is. Sometimes teachers even observe professionals at other schools.
In most cases observers decide beforehand to pay particular attention to a few specific issues. They may decide to pay particular attention to the way in which the observed teacher maintains discipline in the class, or how students are made to participate in the process. By focusing on specific issues the observation session and the subsequent discussion can be more productive.
As soon as an observation session is finished, a debriefing should be conducted. During the debriefing the observers share their opinions with each other and they discuss various ways in which they can improve their own teaching methods by using lessons learned during the observation session. Debriefings are confidential and observations are not shared outside the circle of observers. Feedback is only given to the observed teacher if it is requested.
Educational experts agree that these observation sessions benefit the entire education system. It helps teachers to learn from each other and to introduce new and fresh ideas in their own classrooms. Teachers being observed are motivated anew because they are recognized by their colleagues as a professional from who can be learned. Students also benefit when teachers try new ideas to improve their teaching techniques.
Great care should be taken to make sure that the observation system remains non threatening, especially to those teachers being observed. If such sessions turn into evaluation sessions all the potential benefits may be lost. Harm can also be caused by observes that discuss sessions outside the observer circle. Similarly, if teachers are pressurized into an observation situation, they may become resentful and this may harm the quality of teaching.
Anything that improves the quality of the education system should be embraced and applauded. When teachers can help each other to improve their own performance everybody wins. After all, the quality of education is and always will be the prime indicator of the quality of the community. Every parent wants his child to receive the best schooling possible.
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