Teaching have changed a lot since the days when teachers presented lessons, set tests and exams and helped out with extracurricular activities. Modern teachers work extremely hard and, sadly, very often under immense pressure and very difficult, sometimes even threatening situations and they are still expected to produce good results. They have heaps of paper work on top of all their other responsibilities and they seldom have time for personal development. Luckily, lesson observation addresses some of the problems.
The system of observing other teachers in action is called instructional rounds. It simply involves small groups of teachers visiting an experienced colleague and observing his methods of teaching. This is done to allow less experienced teachers to to get new ideas and to grow professionally. The observer groups are kept small, only stay for a short period and they take no part in the class that they observe.
Before they attend the class of the teacher that will be observed, the observers first gather to set objectives for the session. In most cases, the teacher that will be observed is well know for the effective use of certain aids or techniques to increase the effectiveness of his teaching. For example, some teachers use humour very effectively whilst others may be especially good at using visual aids. Observers normally focus on those special talents of the teacher to be observed.
There is no purpose to instructional rounds other than to learn. For this reason, and to make sure that the teacher being observed is not pressurised in any way there is no evaluation component to the sessions at all. Observers do not even give feedback to the teacher they observed unless he asks for such feedback himself. Even then the feedback will be informal and oral.
Once the observation session is finished, the observers meet once more to share the new ideas that they have developed and the highlights of the class. They also discuss ways in which to implement these new ideas and techniques in their own teaching environments. These discussions are treated as very confidential and observers never submit a report.
There are many advantages to instructional rounds and everyone benefits. The teacher that was under observation is gratified by the fact that his colleagues hold him in such high esteem. The observers get the chance to learn and to develop professionally. Eventually, the quality of education in general becomes better, students benefit from more interesting lessons and in many instances the results in the class room improves.
Not everyone is enthusiastic about instructional rounds. Critics are of the opinion that the observation periods are too short and that the entire system is too informal. They also allege that teachers under observation do not teach as they normally would but that they make an extra effort to impress their colleagues. Supporters say that the system has proven to be beneficial. Participants say they learn a lot and they enjoy the professional contact with other teachers.
Nobody will argue the fact that the educational system is under immense pressure. Any action to improve the quality of teaching, to improve results and to allow teachers to develop their professional capacity must be lauded. More contact between teachers is also beneficial to the entire system.
The system of observing other teachers in action is called instructional rounds. It simply involves small groups of teachers visiting an experienced colleague and observing his methods of teaching. This is done to allow less experienced teachers to to get new ideas and to grow professionally. The observer groups are kept small, only stay for a short period and they take no part in the class that they observe.
Before they attend the class of the teacher that will be observed, the observers first gather to set objectives for the session. In most cases, the teacher that will be observed is well know for the effective use of certain aids or techniques to increase the effectiveness of his teaching. For example, some teachers use humour very effectively whilst others may be especially good at using visual aids. Observers normally focus on those special talents of the teacher to be observed.
There is no purpose to instructional rounds other than to learn. For this reason, and to make sure that the teacher being observed is not pressurised in any way there is no evaluation component to the sessions at all. Observers do not even give feedback to the teacher they observed unless he asks for such feedback himself. Even then the feedback will be informal and oral.
Once the observation session is finished, the observers meet once more to share the new ideas that they have developed and the highlights of the class. They also discuss ways in which to implement these new ideas and techniques in their own teaching environments. These discussions are treated as very confidential and observers never submit a report.
There are many advantages to instructional rounds and everyone benefits. The teacher that was under observation is gratified by the fact that his colleagues hold him in such high esteem. The observers get the chance to learn and to develop professionally. Eventually, the quality of education in general becomes better, students benefit from more interesting lessons and in many instances the results in the class room improves.
Not everyone is enthusiastic about instructional rounds. Critics are of the opinion that the observation periods are too short and that the entire system is too informal. They also allege that teachers under observation do not teach as they normally would but that they make an extra effort to impress their colleagues. Supporters say that the system has proven to be beneficial. Participants say they learn a lot and they enjoy the professional contact with other teachers.
Nobody will argue the fact that the educational system is under immense pressure. Any action to improve the quality of teaching, to improve results and to allow teachers to develop their professional capacity must be lauded. More contact between teachers is also beneficial to the entire system.
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