Few people realize that teachers work in relative isolation. During school hours they are busy with their classes and there is little opportunity to interact with their colleagues. Opportunities for interaction with teachers from other schools are even more rare. Yet teachers need to learn from each other and the entire educational system can only benefit if teachers share experiences. One answer is to implement a system of instructional rounds.
Implementing a system of teacher observations is within the abilities of any school. It simply consist of a small group of teachers that visit another teacher and observe his methods in his classroom. The observing teachers are led by someone that is well respected in the field of education. The teacher being observed is also normally a professional that is well regarded by his colleagues. Participation in such a system is always on a voluntary basis.
The observers meet before each observation session. During this meeting they set goals for the forthcoming session. The teacher being observed may be well known for using humour in the classroom, for example, and the observers may want to learn how he does it. It is advisable to try and focus upon the strong points of the teacher under observation. In this way the observers can learn more.
The aim of teachers observing another teacher in action is not to perform an evaluation, but rather to learn from that teacher. In fact, it is common practice to ask the most experienced and successful teachers to agree to an observation session. The students are also informed about the aim of the observation session. No feedback is given to the teacher that was observed, unless he specifically request feedback.
After conclusion of the observation session the observers meet again to discuss the session. Each observer will get a chance to point out the specific lessons he has learned and how he thinks he can use those lessons to improve his own teaching. The observers do not compile a report and criticism of the teacher being observed is not allowed. The focus remains, at all times, on positive aspects.
Well managed teacher observation sessions offer many advantages. The teachers doing the observing can learn much from their more experienced colleagues. The teacher under observation also benefits because he is recognized as a seasoned professional. These sessions also serve to improve the contact between teachers. There can be no doubt that the learners benefit because anything that improves the quality of education is to their benefit.
Critics say that these observation sessions are too short and too infrequent to have any value. They say that teachers scheduled for observation do not act as usual but that they are playing to their audience. These criticisms notwithstanding, educational experts agree that there is everything to gain for encouraging teachers to learn from each other and to share their experiences in the classroom.
Offering quality educational is and should be a very high priority for every society. If the quality of education is compromised the entire society as a whole is also compromised. Teachers learning from each other is a great idea and they should be encouraged to be part of such a system.
Implementing a system of teacher observations is within the abilities of any school. It simply consist of a small group of teachers that visit another teacher and observe his methods in his classroom. The observing teachers are led by someone that is well respected in the field of education. The teacher being observed is also normally a professional that is well regarded by his colleagues. Participation in such a system is always on a voluntary basis.
The observers meet before each observation session. During this meeting they set goals for the forthcoming session. The teacher being observed may be well known for using humour in the classroom, for example, and the observers may want to learn how he does it. It is advisable to try and focus upon the strong points of the teacher under observation. In this way the observers can learn more.
The aim of teachers observing another teacher in action is not to perform an evaluation, but rather to learn from that teacher. In fact, it is common practice to ask the most experienced and successful teachers to agree to an observation session. The students are also informed about the aim of the observation session. No feedback is given to the teacher that was observed, unless he specifically request feedback.
After conclusion of the observation session the observers meet again to discuss the session. Each observer will get a chance to point out the specific lessons he has learned and how he thinks he can use those lessons to improve his own teaching. The observers do not compile a report and criticism of the teacher being observed is not allowed. The focus remains, at all times, on positive aspects.
Well managed teacher observation sessions offer many advantages. The teachers doing the observing can learn much from their more experienced colleagues. The teacher under observation also benefits because he is recognized as a seasoned professional. These sessions also serve to improve the contact between teachers. There can be no doubt that the learners benefit because anything that improves the quality of education is to their benefit.
Critics say that these observation sessions are too short and too infrequent to have any value. They say that teachers scheduled for observation do not act as usual but that they are playing to their audience. These criticisms notwithstanding, educational experts agree that there is everything to gain for encouraging teachers to learn from each other and to share their experiences in the classroom.
Offering quality educational is and should be a very high priority for every society. If the quality of education is compromised the entire society as a whole is also compromised. Teachers learning from each other is a great idea and they should be encouraged to be part of such a system.
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