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. There is nothing complicated about it. A small group of teachers, normally inexperienced ones, attends the class of a more experienced teacher in order to learn from him. The observing teachers do not interrupt the class in any way. The learners are told what the observation session is for and to simply ignore them and behave as they normally would.
Before each session, the observers meet to determine the objectives that they hope to meet. Many teachers that agree to be observed is well known for one or more talents or effective techniques in the class room. It is usually these special talents in action that they want to learn from. Observer objectives always focus on the strong points of the teacher being observed.
The one single purpose of instructional rounds is to learn. Observers therefore do not complete any type of evaluation form nor are they expected to provide feedback to the teacher that was observed. This very fact makes it easier for teachers to agree to being observed. In some cases the observed teacher may request feedback and then it is normally provided orally, not in writing.
The observers meet once again as soon as the observation session is over. During this meeting they compare notes, comment on the techniques used by the observed teacher and share the lesson that each member learned and the ideas that they have of implementing those new ideas in their own class rooms. These discussions are strictly confidential and there is certainly no official report made to anyone.
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.
There are critics of the system, of course. They complain that these sessions are rendered worthless because they are so informal and short. They also allege that teachers, knowing that they will be under observation, do not teach the way they normally do because they want their colleagues to be impressed. They make special preparations and even involve the learners. Supports of the system say this is simply not true and that instructional rounds are extremely valuable.
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. There is nothing complicated about it. A small group of teachers, normally inexperienced ones, attends the class of a more experienced teacher in order to learn from him. The observing teachers do not interrupt the class in any way. The learners are told what the observation session is for and to simply ignore them and behave as they normally would.
Before each session, the observers meet to determine the objectives that they hope to meet. Many teachers that agree to be observed is well known for one or more talents or effective techniques in the class room. It is usually these special talents in action that they want to learn from. Observer objectives always focus on the strong points of the teacher being observed.
The one single purpose of instructional rounds is to learn. Observers therefore do not complete any type of evaluation form nor are they expected to provide feedback to the teacher that was observed. This very fact makes it easier for teachers to agree to being observed. In some cases the observed teacher may request feedback and then it is normally provided orally, not in writing.
The observers meet once again as soon as the observation session is over. During this meeting they compare notes, comment on the techniques used by the observed teacher and share the lesson that each member learned and the ideas that they have of implementing those new ideas in their own class rooms. These discussions are strictly confidential and there is certainly no official report made to anyone.
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.
There are critics of the system, of course. They complain that these sessions are rendered worthless because they are so informal and short. They also allege that teachers, knowing that they will be under observation, do not teach the way they normally do because they want their colleagues to be impressed. They make special preparations and even involve the learners. Supports of the system say this is simply not true and that instructional rounds are extremely valuable.
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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