It is common knowledge that the educational system is under tremendous pressure. There are not enough teachers, facilities and other resources. Teachers have to cope with very large groups and apart from teaching, they also have to perform many administrative duties, attend meetings and be involved in other school activities. With their extremely busy schedules, teachers have very little opportunity for self development programs. However, by leading instructional rounds more experienced teachers can help their colleagues to develop both personally and professionally.
It is truly easy to implement this system. En experienced teacher act as leader and gather a small group of less experienced teachers to visit the classroom of an esteemed colleague to see how he teaches. The purpose of the observation session is solely to learn from that teacher. The observers do not participate in the class in any way and nobody is forced to be part of the system.
The leader will have a meeting with the other observers just before each session. They decide upon the goals for that observation session. In most instances the goals will focus on the known strengths of the teacher that will be observed. For example, an educator may be well known for his ability to maintain discipline in his class by using humor. The goals of the session will therefore focus on that aspect of his teaching.
It is very important to note that these observation sessions do not contain even the smallest element of evaluation. The observers are not there to criticize, to judge or to comment, but rather to learn from an esteemed colleague. The students in the class are informed about the purpose of the visit. After the session, the observers never give feedback to the teacher that they observed either.
The leader of the observers will chair another meeting soon after the observation session. This time the purpose of the meeting is to compare notes. No criticism is allowed. Instead, observers share with each other the lessons that they have learnt and their ideas on how to implement them in their own classrooms. This meeting is deemed to be confidential and no report is ever submitted.
Ever since its inception observer sessions have been very popular. Those participating say that they benefit enormously. They not only learn from their colleagues but they also get the rare chance to interact with fellow teachers. They learn from the sessions, but they also learn from the feedback of their fellow observers during the meeting after the session. The system has been implemented in numerous schools and many colleges are following suit.
There are many skeptics too. They do not think that observation sessions offer any benefits. They are too short, too infrequent and too informal, they say. They also dislike the idea that no feedback is given or reports compiled. In their opinion, formal development courses, seminars and conferences are the only way in which to improve the teaching abilities of teachers. They also question the fact that teachers being observed just teach as they always do during these sessions.
Observation sessions are easy to implement and they do not cost anything. If they help teachers to remain motivated and to learn from each other, they should be encouraged. Every effort to improve the quality of education is worth it. Everybody benefits from even the smallest improvements in the overall system.
It is truly easy to implement this system. En experienced teacher act as leader and gather a small group of less experienced teachers to visit the classroom of an esteemed colleague to see how he teaches. The purpose of the observation session is solely to learn from that teacher. The observers do not participate in the class in any way and nobody is forced to be part of the system.
The leader will have a meeting with the other observers just before each session. They decide upon the goals for that observation session. In most instances the goals will focus on the known strengths of the teacher that will be observed. For example, an educator may be well known for his ability to maintain discipline in his class by using humor. The goals of the session will therefore focus on that aspect of his teaching.
It is very important to note that these observation sessions do not contain even the smallest element of evaluation. The observers are not there to criticize, to judge or to comment, but rather to learn from an esteemed colleague. The students in the class are informed about the purpose of the visit. After the session, the observers never give feedback to the teacher that they observed either.
The leader of the observers will chair another meeting soon after the observation session. This time the purpose of the meeting is to compare notes. No criticism is allowed. Instead, observers share with each other the lessons that they have learnt and their ideas on how to implement them in their own classrooms. This meeting is deemed to be confidential and no report is ever submitted.
Ever since its inception observer sessions have been very popular. Those participating say that they benefit enormously. They not only learn from their colleagues but they also get the rare chance to interact with fellow teachers. They learn from the sessions, but they also learn from the feedback of their fellow observers during the meeting after the session. The system has been implemented in numerous schools and many colleges are following suit.
There are many skeptics too. They do not think that observation sessions offer any benefits. They are too short, too infrequent and too informal, they say. They also dislike the idea that no feedback is given or reports compiled. In their opinion, formal development courses, seminars and conferences are the only way in which to improve the teaching abilities of teachers. They also question the fact that teachers being observed just teach as they always do during these sessions.
Observation sessions are easy to implement and they do not cost anything. If they help teachers to remain motivated and to learn from each other, they should be encouraged. Every effort to improve the quality of education is worth it. Everybody benefits from even the smallest improvements in the overall system.
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