Relevance Of Instructional Rounds In Education

By Patricia Wright


Instructional rounds are very valuable tools to use in education for a school or even the district. This program allows educators get access to view a veteran in the teaching profession or a tutor who has an excellent reputation in the classroom. This is done to enhance skills and develop a collaboration culture between members in this profession. The goal of instructional rounds in education is not to provide some feedback to a teacher in observation or to evaluate them. It is to compare the instructional practices of observing educators to the one being observed.

The instructional rounds program allows educators to quickly develop their skills by looking at what other exemplary individuals in same field do. It helps new and inexperienced teachers to later reflect on what was observed and be able to come up with a solid plan to improve. It is always better to learn by observing what others do rather than relying on theory and notes.

The program is made of teams of about five members and a minimum of three members exclusive of the leader. This individual, team leader, should be a respectable person who is considered a leader. An administrator may also assume this role. It is a rule that no teacher should be put under evaluation at any one time.

Observed teachers are either volunteers or selected to be the subject. They are drawn from other master educators and veterans. These individuals have proven their ability to enhance total achievement of the whole class. Any teacher might volunteer their classroom as a suitable venue.

It is good to enhance efficiency and effectiveness by keeping the groups conducting rounds small. A maximum of five professionals is optimal. During the scheduled day, the teacher whose classroom is being observed should alert pupils of the impending visit. Once the teachers arrive, courtesy demands that they knock first and wait to be welcomed in. They should move quietly to the back of the class or any available space that provides minimum interruption. The teachers usually take notes of the session and watch how the teacher uses different strategies to disseminate information. When the session is over, the team thanks the volunteer teacher and students.

After the lesson ends, the team then convenes in a predetermined location to discuss what they have seen and noted. Every educator will say what they noted in the session and add any other relevant input. The leader must categorically state that the aim was not to carry out evaluation but to observe. The session is strictly discrete.

Findings are presented in a special format. This will start with all the positive things observed plus any short explanations given to help the others understand why one came to the conclusion. Negative comments will then be stated and expounded as well.

These rounds end with the members identifying practices that can be helpful in their own classrooms, pick up and implement something they saw used effectively. They can also drop what they consider not effective or reexamine it. It may be helpful to make some resolutions in a bid to improve. This method can be very exciting and effective if used well.




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