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.
Implementing a system of teacher observations is within the abilities of any school. It simply consist of a small group of teachers that visit another teacher and observe his methods in his classroom. The observing teachers are led by someone that is well respected in the field of education. The teacher being observed is also normally a professional that is well regarded by his colleagues. Participation in such a system is always on a voluntary basis.
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 observation session the observer teachers meet to discuss their experiences. This meeting is deemed to be confidential and no official report is ever submitted. The focus is on lessons learnt and not on criticizing the observed teacher in any way. The observers also share their ideas on how they will be implementing new ideas in their own classrooms. In this way innovation in the classroom can be achieved.
There are numerous benefits to be had in implementing a teacher observation system. Not only do teachers learn from experienced colleagues, but they also get to know each other better. The teachers are not the only ones to benefit. The students also benefit because they are the ones that will be receiving better instruction. In this way the entire educational system is improved and society as a whole benefits.
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.
Offering quality educational is and should be a very high priority for every society. If the quality of education is compromised the entire society as a whole is also compromised. Teachers learning from each other is a great idea and they should be encouraged to be part of such a system.
Implementing a system of teacher observations is within the abilities of any school. It simply consist of a small group of teachers that visit another teacher and observe his methods in his classroom. The observing teachers are led by someone that is well respected in the field of education. The teacher being observed is also normally a professional that is well regarded by his colleagues. Participation in such a system is always on a voluntary basis.
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 observation session the observer teachers meet to discuss their experiences. This meeting is deemed to be confidential and no official report is ever submitted. The focus is on lessons learnt and not on criticizing the observed teacher in any way. The observers also share their ideas on how they will be implementing new ideas in their own classrooms. In this way innovation in the classroom can be achieved.
There are numerous benefits to be had in implementing a teacher observation system. Not only do teachers learn from experienced colleagues, but they also get to know each other better. The teachers are not the only ones to benefit. The students also benefit because they are the ones that will be receiving better instruction. In this way the entire educational system is improved and society as a whole benefits.
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.
Offering quality educational is and should be a very high priority for every society. If the quality of education is compromised the entire society as a whole is also compromised. Teachers learning from each other is a great idea and they should be encouraged to be part of such a system.
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