Pages

Building The Learning Community Using Instructional Rounds

By Janine Hughes


Leaders in institutions have identified a popular method to improve learning in their schools. Instructional Rounds is basically a method that involves networking with other individuals for the purpose of bettering teaching skills. An atmosphere that is good for the well-being of a student is developed. The teaching staff is able to notice good skills and pick from them.

Every member of the teaching staff should make an effort to involve themselves here. There is a lead teacher who definitely is at the top of his game. This means that his skill is considered quite good making him have the respect of his counterparts. The administrator of an institution may also show up and be involved to observe.

The teachers who are observed may choose to volunteer. Others are usually asked to avail themselves for this process. Ideally, those who are selected are considered masters of their skill in a particular area such as a district or a school. This means that students who attend their classes have shown improvement and achieved good results at the end of an academic year.

Small groups are considered more effective and easy to work with. There should be at least 3 to 5 teachers involved in this. This does not include the lead teachers. On the particular scheduled day of this particular activity, teachers involved should alert learners that several tutors will visit their respective classrooms. They can explain that teachers are simply trying to exchange ideas from one another.

On the day when this is taking place, observing teachers are expected to knock and enter the classroom. They are then to move to the back and not disrupt learning in any way. While in class they should look at how a certain teacher is conducting his or her lesson. They will also be expected to take notes of strategies that have been applied well and that may be helpful.

There could be specific problem areas that an institution may work on. A lot of focus can be put in these areas. This observation activity will note take the whole day. It can involve a short period of less than half an hour. One is not allowed to give points to their partners in a manner which you could be grading them. They will eventually orderly move out when their time is up.

There is debriefing which is done at the end of the day. Here, teachers commune and give their point of view of certain aspects. This is a free forum in which someone can say what they think. What is discussed however, should not be discussed elsewhere. Do not act all-knowing and try to give corrective suggestions because no one expects this of you.

This is an essential activity that allows people to network and benefit from each other. Since you are bound to meet up with experts in certain areas, you will definitely gain. By observing you will be able to see exactly how they do things. This can also cause a teacher to evaluate themselves and correct what they think they could be doing wrong. All these will bring about effective learning environment.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment