Teachers are under tremendous pressure. They often have to work under difficult, even dangerous conditions. They seldom have all the resources they need to do their jobs properly. They have to cope with very large classes and they often work in isolation. In addition, the fact that the entire educational system is under such tremendous pressure means that teacher seldom get the opportunity to attend seminars and training sessions. Instructional rounds, however, do create opportunities for professional development.
Implementing this system is very simple. A smaller group of teachers, led by senior colleague, attends the class of an experienced teacher. The purpose of this is for the observer teachers to learn from their more experienced colleague. They do not participate in any classroom activities. The system is voluntary. No teacher is ever pressurized to be an observer or to agree to be the teacher that is observed by others.
Even though observation sessions are rather informal, observers still meet before each session in order to set goals for the session. Teachers being observed are often known for specific skills or talents and it is these talents in action that that the observers want to see and learn from. For example, a particular teacher may have an excellent reputation for maintaining discipline in the class and observers will focus on his techniques in this respect.
Observation sessions do no have an element of evaluation and the purpose is certainly not to judge the abilities of the teacher being observed. That is one reason why only experienced teachers are observed. The sole purpose is to learn from the teacher under observation. Observers do not even provide feedback unless the observed teacher asks for it. The purpose of the sessions is also explained to learners ahead of time.
Even though no feedback is given, observers still meet after each session. They discuss the lessons that they have learned, the ways in which they can implement those lessons in their own classrooms and any other positive observations that they have made. No criticism of the teacher that was observed is allowed. These feedback meetings are confidential and no report is ever drawn up.
Observation sessions offer many benefits. Participants agree that they learn valuable lessons from their experienced colleagues and that they are often inspired by them. This, in turn, lead to better teaching methods and more innovation in the classroom and the learners reap the benefits of these improvements. Teachers being observed are also often motivated by the recognition they are given by their fellow teachers.
Critics say that these sessions are nothing but a waste of time. They are of the opinion that the sessions are to short to result in meaningful learning. There are even those that say that teachers being observed often act out of character during such sessions because they simply want to impress their colleagues. Most teachers disagree. They say that they find the sessions worthwhile and instructive.
Nobody will deny the fact that one of the most important components of a healthy society is a quality educational system. Anything that helps to improve the quality of education should be applauded. Teachers need every opportunity that they can get to grow both personally and professionally. In the end, society as a whole benefits.
Implementing this system is very simple. A smaller group of teachers, led by senior colleague, attends the class of an experienced teacher. The purpose of this is for the observer teachers to learn from their more experienced colleague. They do not participate in any classroom activities. The system is voluntary. No teacher is ever pressurized to be an observer or to agree to be the teacher that is observed by others.
Even though observation sessions are rather informal, observers still meet before each session in order to set goals for the session. Teachers being observed are often known for specific skills or talents and it is these talents in action that that the observers want to see and learn from. For example, a particular teacher may have an excellent reputation for maintaining discipline in the class and observers will focus on his techniques in this respect.
Observation sessions do no have an element of evaluation and the purpose is certainly not to judge the abilities of the teacher being observed. That is one reason why only experienced teachers are observed. The sole purpose is to learn from the teacher under observation. Observers do not even provide feedback unless the observed teacher asks for it. The purpose of the sessions is also explained to learners ahead of time.
Even though no feedback is given, observers still meet after each session. They discuss the lessons that they have learned, the ways in which they can implement those lessons in their own classrooms and any other positive observations that they have made. No criticism of the teacher that was observed is allowed. These feedback meetings are confidential and no report is ever drawn up.
Observation sessions offer many benefits. Participants agree that they learn valuable lessons from their experienced colleagues and that they are often inspired by them. This, in turn, lead to better teaching methods and more innovation in the classroom and the learners reap the benefits of these improvements. Teachers being observed are also often motivated by the recognition they are given by their fellow teachers.
Critics say that these sessions are nothing but a waste of time. They are of the opinion that the sessions are to short to result in meaningful learning. There are even those that say that teachers being observed often act out of character during such sessions because they simply want to impress their colleagues. Most teachers disagree. They say that they find the sessions worthwhile and instructive.
Nobody will deny the fact that one of the most important components of a healthy society is a quality educational system. Anything that helps to improve the quality of education should be applauded. Teachers need every opportunity that they can get to grow both personally and professionally. In the end, society as a whole benefits.
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