One would think that teaching is a very social job but it is not the case. Most teachers are isolated and rarely get the chance to interact with their colleagues on a professional level. They have to do the best that they can with limited resources and their work load is such that they do not often have the chance to attend courses in order to improve themselves professionally. Many teachers agree, however, that instructional rounds help them to learn from other teaching professionals.
This system is very easy to implement. A group of teachers are invited to observe another teacher in his classroom. The teacher under observation is normally one that enjoys a good professional reputation and that is know for obtaining good results. The observers simply sit in on a class, but without participating in any way. Their role is to learn. Taking part as observer or agreeing to be observed is always voluntary.
Before attending an observation session, observers meet in order to set some objectives for the session. In most cases, these objectives will focus on the known strong points of the teacher under observation. A teacher me be known, for example, for using humour as a teaching aid. Observers will then focus on the ways in which the observed teacher use humour in the classroom.
It is important to note that observation sessions are in no way to be confused with inspections and evaluation sessions. The only purpose of these sessions is to learn from an experienced and respected colleague. That is why there is no feedback given to the teacher that was observed, unless he specifically request such feedback. Students are informed of the purpose of such sessions beforehand.
Even though no feedback is given, observers still meet after each session. They discuss the lessons that they have learned, the ways in which they can implement those lessons in their own classrooms and any other positive observations that they have made. No criticism of the teacher that was observed is allowed. These feedback meetings are confidential and no report is ever drawn up.
It seems as if observation sessions are beneficial for everybody within the education system. Teachers benefit because they are afforded the opportunity to learn new skills and teaching techniques. Learners benefit because their teachers are newly motivated and eager to improve results. Even teachers being observed benefit because they are given recognition for excellence in the classroom. In this way the entire system benefits and the quality of education is improved.
Critics of the system say that these sessions are a waste of time because they are too short and too informal. Many critics also say that teachers under observation make a special effort to impress their colleagues and that observers never see them as they truly are in the classroom. The system nevertheless remains very popular with teachers who feel that any opportunity to learn should be grabbed with both hands.
There cannot be any doubt that every effort that aims to improve the standard of education is worth pursuing. This is especially true if it is inexpensive and easy to implement. The educational system is under pressure and anything that can help should be supported.
This system is very easy to implement. A group of teachers are invited to observe another teacher in his classroom. The teacher under observation is normally one that enjoys a good professional reputation and that is know for obtaining good results. The observers simply sit in on a class, but without participating in any way. Their role is to learn. Taking part as observer or agreeing to be observed is always voluntary.
Before attending an observation session, observers meet in order to set some objectives for the session. In most cases, these objectives will focus on the known strong points of the teacher under observation. A teacher me be known, for example, for using humour as a teaching aid. Observers will then focus on the ways in which the observed teacher use humour in the classroom.
It is important to note that observation sessions are in no way to be confused with inspections and evaluation sessions. The only purpose of these sessions is to learn from an experienced and respected colleague. That is why there is no feedback given to the teacher that was observed, unless he specifically request such feedback. Students are informed of the purpose of such sessions beforehand.
Even though no feedback is given, observers still meet after each session. They discuss the lessons that they have learned, the ways in which they can implement those lessons in their own classrooms and any other positive observations that they have made. No criticism of the teacher that was observed is allowed. These feedback meetings are confidential and no report is ever drawn up.
It seems as if observation sessions are beneficial for everybody within the education system. Teachers benefit because they are afforded the opportunity to learn new skills and teaching techniques. Learners benefit because their teachers are newly motivated and eager to improve results. Even teachers being observed benefit because they are given recognition for excellence in the classroom. In this way the entire system benefits and the quality of education is improved.
Critics of the system say that these sessions are a waste of time because they are too short and too informal. Many critics also say that teachers under observation make a special effort to impress their colleagues and that observers never see them as they truly are in the classroom. The system nevertheless remains very popular with teachers who feel that any opportunity to learn should be grabbed with both hands.
There cannot be any doubt that every effort that aims to improve the standard of education is worth pursuing. This is especially true if it is inexpensive and easy to implement. The educational system is under pressure and anything that can help should be supported.
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