Teachers often have to work under very difficult circumstances. They seldom get the chance to interact with colleagues and they often have to make do with very limited resources. Many teachers have to manage large classes and find it difficult to pay attention to the needs of every individual student. Many teachers complain that they do not get the chance to improve their skills and knowledge. Instructional rounds, however, can do much to ease the situation somewhat.
Such a system is very easy to implement. A small group of teachers visit a colleague in his class and observe him. The visiting teachers are led by a teacher that is well respected and that is regarded as a professional. The teacher being observed either volunteered or even asked for the event. No teacher is forced or pressurised to participate in this type of exercise.
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 each session the observers meet again to share with each other the lessons they have learnt and the ideas that they have hatched whilst watching the teacher under observation in action. They also discuss ways in which these lessons and new ideas could be implemented in their own classrooms. Observers do not submit a report and their discussions are deemed to be confidential.
Organizing regular teacher observation opportunities hold many benefits. The teacher being observed is motivated because his expertise and experience are acknowledged. The observer teacher benefit because they learn new techniques from experienced colleagues. Naturally, the students also benefit because they will be exposed to new methods and a more innovative approach to teaching. Everybody benefits and the quality of education is raised at the same time.
Cynics say that these sessions are worthless because they are too short and they are too informal. They think that the teacher under observation does not teach in his normal manner but rather in a manner designed to impress the observers. However, supporters of the system say that any opportunity to learn from each other is valuable and that observation sessions enjoy wide support among teachers everywhere.
Any society that wants to advance simply must understand that one of the cornerstones of a strong society is education of a high standard. Teachers face many difficult challenges and anything that can help them to inspire their learners is worth trying. Teachers learning from other teachers is a good idea.
Such a system is very easy to implement. A small group of teachers visit a colleague in his class and observe him. The visiting teachers are led by a teacher that is well respected and that is regarded as a professional. The teacher being observed either volunteered or even asked for the event. No teacher is forced or pressurised to participate in this type of exercise.
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 each session the observers meet again to share with each other the lessons they have learnt and the ideas that they have hatched whilst watching the teacher under observation in action. They also discuss ways in which these lessons and new ideas could be implemented in their own classrooms. Observers do not submit a report and their discussions are deemed to be confidential.
Organizing regular teacher observation opportunities hold many benefits. The teacher being observed is motivated because his expertise and experience are acknowledged. The observer teacher benefit because they learn new techniques from experienced colleagues. Naturally, the students also benefit because they will be exposed to new methods and a more innovative approach to teaching. Everybody benefits and the quality of education is raised at the same time.
Cynics say that these sessions are worthless because they are too short and they are too informal. They think that the teacher under observation does not teach in his normal manner but rather in a manner designed to impress the observers. However, supporters of the system say that any opportunity to learn from each other is valuable and that observation sessions enjoy wide support among teachers everywhere.
Any society that wants to advance simply must understand that one of the cornerstones of a strong society is education of a high standard. Teachers face many difficult challenges and anything that can help them to inspire their learners is worth trying. Teachers learning from other teachers is a good idea.
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