It is common knowledge that the educational system is under tremendous pressure. There are not enough teachers, facilities and other resources. Teachers have to cope with very large groups and apart from teaching, they also have to perform many administrative duties, attend meetings and be involved in other school activities. With their extremely busy schedules, teachers have very little opportunity for self development programs. However, by leading instructional rounds more experienced teachers can help their colleagues to develop both personally and professionally.
The idea is not complicated at all. An experienced educator act as group leader and, with a small team of other teachers, attends the classes of another experienced teacher. The purpose of sitting in on the class of another teacher is to learn from him by observing him in action. The observers are not allowed to take part in the lesson or to interrupt the teacher under observation.
The leader will have a meeting with the other observers just before each session. They decide upon the goals for that observation session. In most instances the goals will focus on the known strengths of the teacher that will be observed. For example, an educator may be well known for his ability to maintain discipline in his class by using humor. The goals of the session will therefore focus on that aspect of his teaching.
One would be utterly off the mark by thinking that these sessions involves the evaluation of a colleague. There is no element of evaluation at all. The only purpose is to learn. The students are also informed of this fact. No feedback is given after the session unless the teacher being observed specifically requests feedback. Even then the feedback will only focus on positive aspects.
Right after every observation session the leader of the observers will convene another short meeting. This is when the observers share their experienced, the ideas that they have garnered and their plans for improving their own teaching techniques. In this way the observers learn not only from the teacher that they observed, but also from each other. The meeting is confidential and no report is ever compiled.
Ever since its inception observer sessions have been very popular. Those participating say that they benefit enormously. They not only learn from their colleagues but they also get the rare chance to interact with fellow teachers. They learn from the sessions, but they also learn from the feedback of their fellow observers during the meeting after the session. The system has been implemented in numerous schools and many colleges are following suit.
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.
Despite the criticism, one has to admit that the entire educational system is under tremendous pressure. Anything that can help improve standards and raise the motivation of teachers should be applauded and supported. Observation sessions do not cost anything and they certainly do no harm.
The idea is not complicated at all. An experienced educator act as group leader and, with a small team of other teachers, attends the classes of another experienced teacher. The purpose of sitting in on the class of another teacher is to learn from him by observing him in action. The observers are not allowed to take part in the lesson or to interrupt the teacher under observation.
The leader will have a meeting with the other observers just before each session. They decide upon the goals for that observation session. In most instances the goals will focus on the known strengths of the teacher that will be observed. For example, an educator may be well known for his ability to maintain discipline in his class by using humor. The goals of the session will therefore focus on that aspect of his teaching.
One would be utterly off the mark by thinking that these sessions involves the evaluation of a colleague. There is no element of evaluation at all. The only purpose is to learn. The students are also informed of this fact. No feedback is given after the session unless the teacher being observed specifically requests feedback. Even then the feedback will only focus on positive aspects.
Right after every observation session the leader of the observers will convene another short meeting. This is when the observers share their experienced, the ideas that they have garnered and their plans for improving their own teaching techniques. In this way the observers learn not only from the teacher that they observed, but also from each other. The meeting is confidential and no report is ever compiled.
Ever since its inception observer sessions have been very popular. Those participating say that they benefit enormously. They not only learn from their colleagues but they also get the rare chance to interact with fellow teachers. They learn from the sessions, but they also learn from the feedback of their fellow observers during the meeting after the session. The system has been implemented in numerous schools and many colleges are following suit.
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.
Despite the criticism, one has to admit that the entire educational system is under tremendous pressure. Anything that can help improve standards and raise the motivation of teachers should be applauded and supported. Observation sessions do not cost anything and they certainly do no harm.
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