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.
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.
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.
There is no purpose to instructional rounds other than to learn. For this reason, and to make sure that the teacher being observed is not pressurised in any way there is no evaluation component to the sessions at all. Observers do not even give feedback to the teacher they observed unless he asks for such feedback himself. Even then the feedback will be informal and oral.
Once the observation session is finished, the observers meet once more to share the new ideas that they have developed and the highlights of the class. They also discuss ways in which to implement these new ideas and techniques in their own teaching environments. These discussions are treated as very confidential and observers never submit a report.
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.
Not everyone is enthusiastic about instructional rounds. Critics are of the opinion that the observation periods are too short and that the entire system is too informal. They also allege that teachers under observation do not teach as they normally would but that they make an extra effort to impress their colleagues. Supporters say that the system has proven to be beneficial. Participants say they learn a lot and they enjoy the professional contact with other teachers.
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.
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.
There is no purpose to instructional rounds other than to learn. For this reason, and to make sure that the teacher being observed is not pressurised in any way there is no evaluation component to the sessions at all. Observers do not even give feedback to the teacher they observed unless he asks for such feedback himself. Even then the feedback will be informal and oral.
Once the observation session is finished, the observers meet once more to share the new ideas that they have developed and the highlights of the class. They also discuss ways in which to implement these new ideas and techniques in their own teaching environments. These discussions are treated as very confidential and observers never submit a report.
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.
Not everyone is enthusiastic about instructional rounds. Critics are of the opinion that the observation periods are too short and that the entire system is too informal. They also allege that teachers under observation do not teach as they normally would but that they make an extra effort to impress their colleagues. Supporters say that the system has proven to be beneficial. Participants say they learn a lot and they enjoy the professional contact with other teachers.
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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