Saturday 24 May 2014

Improving Performance Using Classroom Walkthroughs

By Marci Glover


There is an aspect of clinical supervision associated with feedback and observation forms. They are considered effective tools for evaluating how a teacher performed. Their use in assisting the same teacher to improve on his performance is questionable. This has made classroom walkthroughs preferable. They are aimed at providing an opportunity for professional development.

Instructional leadership offered in a faculty or department ensures that students perform better. It is the structures that are laid down by an institution that determines the overall performance of its students and uniformity in curriculum delivery. There must be constant evaluation of both the teaching and learning processes. A solution must involve all stakeholders in the delivery channel. This is the way to improve performance.

The effectiveness of using the walkthrough model is attributed to availability of data on important processes in the institution. The leadership and teachers are given a chance to participate actively and positively towards changing the fortunes of an institution. The leaders become the teachers at some point which creates a seamless structure.

An observer or observers visit classrooms to collect evidence of a predetermined practice. The aim of such observations is to assist a department or faculty in delivery of the curriculum. The duration varies on the length of the entire sessions. It may range between two minutes and up to forty five minutes.

Downey Carolyn is accredited with creation of the basic model for walkthroughs. Over time, different institutions have modified their forms depending on their mandate. The aim is to meet unique needs in each environment. Evaluations are best done in a plenary in order to come up with a common stand. It creates uniformity within the department.

There are numerous benefits beyond collecting data when a faculty uses a walkthrough. The institutional habit or culture is reinforced. This results from the use of uniform approach in delivery. A template is followed and constantly improved depending on feedback. This feedback also acts as the center of discussion on the teaching and learning processes in the institution.

The data collected can be used to relate practices in different institutions. This tool therefore serves as a correlation accessory for participants, both internally and externally to learn. The availability of continuous feedback offers an incredible learning opportunity. It deepens understanding among stakeholders in the processes and helps them to improve on delivery.

The process of evaluation focuses on the mode of delivery instead of individual instructors. The model originally developed by Carolyn was short and laid emphasis on informal observations. Its interest was the curriculum and used collaborative means to improve performance.

The observer should be provided with a template to identify the ideal situation. The template should apply across board since the aim is to track an institutional habit. Such a template is referred to as a look-fors. It outlines the behaviors that must be observed in order to meet a set criterion by a faculty.

It is possible to make observations from recorded material. This eliminates the need for a physical observer who is likely to influence a teacher to change normal behavior. This is a tool for strengthening the culture of the school through verified practices. Each institution is at liberty to modify its approach to suit particular needs.




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