Teachers often have to do their work under very difficult circumstances. They seldom have all the resources that they need, they have to cope with large classes and they have numerous administrative responsibilities on top of their teaching duty. Meetings and extra curricular activities consume even more time. There is no time to develop professionally. Luckily, if there is an experienced teacher leading instructional rounds, teachers can learn a lot from each other.
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.
Before every observation session, the group leader convenes a meeting where objectives for the forthcoming session is set. The idea is to learn and the objectives therefore focus on the strong points of the teacher that will be under observation. A teacher may be well know, for example, to get his students to enthusiastically participate in class. The observers will then try to learn how he does that.
It is very important to note that these observation sessions do not contain even the smallest element of evaluation. The observers are not there to criticize, to judge or to comment, but rather to learn from an esteemed colleague. The students in the class are informed about the purpose of the visit. After the session, the observers never give feedback to the teacher that they observed either.
The leader of the observers will chair another meeting soon after the observation session. This time the purpose of the meeting is to compare notes. No criticism is allowed. Instead, observers share with each other the lessons that they have learnt and their ideas on how to implement them in their own classrooms. This meeting is deemed to be confidential and no report is ever submitted.
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.
The system does have its critics. They are of the opinion that these observation sessions are far too short and that they achieve nothing concrete. In their opinion teachers should rather attend formal development programs because observation sessions are too informal. They also say that teachers under observation try to impress their colleagues and they therefore do not teach the way that they normally do.
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.
Before every observation session, the group leader convenes a meeting where objectives for the forthcoming session is set. The idea is to learn and the objectives therefore focus on the strong points of the teacher that will be under observation. A teacher may be well know, for example, to get his students to enthusiastically participate in class. The observers will then try to learn how he does that.
It is very important to note that these observation sessions do not contain even the smallest element of evaluation. The observers are not there to criticize, to judge or to comment, but rather to learn from an esteemed colleague. The students in the class are informed about the purpose of the visit. After the session, the observers never give feedback to the teacher that they observed either.
The leader of the observers will chair another meeting soon after the observation session. This time the purpose of the meeting is to compare notes. No criticism is allowed. Instead, observers share with each other the lessons that they have learnt and their ideas on how to implement them in their own classrooms. This meeting is deemed to be confidential and no report is ever submitted.
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.
The system does have its critics. They are of the opinion that these observation sessions are far too short and that they achieve nothing concrete. In their opinion teachers should rather attend formal development programs because observation sessions are too informal. They also say that teachers under observation try to impress their colleagues and they therefore do not teach the way that they normally do.
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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