Those with fond memories of their school days, when classes were orderly, punishment was fair but quick and students vied for the favour of the teacher are in for a very rude awakening if they could see a modern school in session. Teachers are not only expected to teach and to obtain acceptable results, but they are also swamped with paper work and extra curricular activities. Since the introduction of lesson observation, at least teachers get the opportunity to learn from their colleagues.
Instructional rounds, as the system is formally called, is an uncomplicated but highly effective way of allowing teachers to learn from each other. Small groups of teachers attend the class of a well regarded or senior teacher to observe but not to participate. The idea is to gain ideas to improve their own teaching and to see how other teachers employ specific techniques to achieve positive results in the class room.
The observers get together prior to every observation session in order to set objectives for the event. In most cases, teachers asked to allow their classes to be observed are very accomplished, obtain excellent results and usually employ a variety of teaching strategies in their class rooms. The objectives of each session ordinarily focus on the known strong points of the teacher to be observed but they are not made known to him.
There is only one aim to be achieved during instructional rounds and that is to learn how to become a better teacher. No feedback is given to the teacher under observation unless he specifically requests feedback. No evaluation forms are completed, but the observers are allowed to take notes. The aim of the sessions are explained to the students before the class commences.
After the observation session the observers meet once more to compare notes. They share the lessons that they have learnt, the ideas that they developed and their plans on how to implement these lessons and ideas in their own class rooms. No report of this entire observation session is compiled and all discussions are deemed to be confidential. This simply makes it easier to arrange future observation sessions.
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.
The informal system of instructional rounds has its critics. They say that these sessions are a waste of time, firstly because the teacher under observation will make extra efforts to impress his colleagues and also because the system is too informal. Supporters, however, say that they benefit from the system and that they would, in fact, want to see the system being expanded to all schools.
Learning form experienced and accomplished colleagues is an age old tradition. Everything that is done to improve the quality of educations should be applauded and supported. The system not only help teachers to improve their own performance, but also provide an opportunity for teachers to establish communication channels between each other.
Instructional rounds, as the system is formally called, is an uncomplicated but highly effective way of allowing teachers to learn from each other. Small groups of teachers attend the class of a well regarded or senior teacher to observe but not to participate. The idea is to gain ideas to improve their own teaching and to see how other teachers employ specific techniques to achieve positive results in the class room.
The observers get together prior to every observation session in order to set objectives for the event. In most cases, teachers asked to allow their classes to be observed are very accomplished, obtain excellent results and usually employ a variety of teaching strategies in their class rooms. The objectives of each session ordinarily focus on the known strong points of the teacher to be observed but they are not made known to him.
There is only one aim to be achieved during instructional rounds and that is to learn how to become a better teacher. No feedback is given to the teacher under observation unless he specifically requests feedback. No evaluation forms are completed, but the observers are allowed to take notes. The aim of the sessions are explained to the students before the class commences.
After the observation session the observers meet once more to compare notes. They share the lessons that they have learnt, the ideas that they developed and their plans on how to implement these lessons and ideas in their own class rooms. No report of this entire observation session is compiled and all discussions are deemed to be confidential. This simply makes it easier to arrange future observation sessions.
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.
The informal system of instructional rounds has its critics. They say that these sessions are a waste of time, firstly because the teacher under observation will make extra efforts to impress his colleagues and also because the system is too informal. Supporters, however, say that they benefit from the system and that they would, in fact, want to see the system being expanded to all schools.
Learning form experienced and accomplished colleagues is an age old tradition. Everything that is done to improve the quality of educations should be applauded and supported. The system not only help teachers to improve their own performance, but also provide an opportunity for teachers to establish communication channels between each other.
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