How Instructional School Rounds Help Improve The Quality Of Education
Teaching as a career has seen many changes over the past few decades. Modern teachers are under tremendous pressure. They have to plan their lessons, teach and be involved in sport, culture and other extra curricular activities. On top of all these responsibilities they are expected to manage many administrative responsibilities too. Teachers simply do not have the time to enrol for courses in order to improve on a professional level. With instructional school rounds teachers at least get the chance to learn from respected colleagues.
These rounds simply consist of a system whereby small groups of teachers attend the class of a respected and experienced colleague. The observer teachers do not participate in the class, do not ask questions and do not offer any opinions. They simply observe in silence and try to learn from the colleague giving the lesson. Nobody is ever forced to participate in this system, neither as observer or as the teacher under observation
Observer teachers meet prior to each session. During this meeting they define the objectives that they hope to reach. These objectives normally focus upon the strong point of the teacher under observation. The teacher being observed may, for example, be know for maintaining excellent levels of discipline in his classes and the observers may want to learn how he does it in order to improve discipline in their own classes.
It is important to note that these sessions never include any form of evaluation whatsoever. This is even made clear to the students attending the class. The sole purpose of any observation session is to learn from the teacher giving the lesson. It is for this reason that no feedback is given after the session, unless the teacher under observation specifically requests such feedback.
The observer teachers have a second meeting after the session. This time they discuss the lessons that they have learnt. They also discuss ideas on how to implement those new ideas in their own classrooms. During this meeting no observer is allowed to utter any form of criticism. They do not submit a report and the entire proceedings is deemed to be confidential.
Observation sessions have quickly gain popularity in many schools, colleges and universities. It is a practical and economical way in which to give educators the chance to develop on a professional level. Teachers are overwhelmingly positive about the system and say that they learn a lot from their colleagues. Being chosen to volunteer to be observed is considered an honour. All parties therefore benefit from such sessions.
Critics of colleague observation sessions say that it is a waste of time. The sessions are far too short and teachers under observation do not act or teach as they normally do. Instead, they go to ridiculous lengths to make an impression upon their observer colleagues and in the process they make it impossible for observers to copy his techniques in their own classrooms.
The fact remains that the educational system is under tremendous pressure. Teachers, parents and civil leaders complain that standards are dropping. If observations sessions can help improve the system, then it should be supported at all levels. It is very easy to manage and it does not involve the commitment of major funding.
These rounds simply consist of a system whereby small groups of teachers attend the class of a respected and experienced colleague. The observer teachers do not participate in the class, do not ask questions and do not offer any opinions. They simply observe in silence and try to learn from the colleague giving the lesson. Nobody is ever forced to participate in this system, neither as observer or as the teacher under observation
Observer teachers meet prior to each session. During this meeting they define the objectives that they hope to reach. These objectives normally focus upon the strong point of the teacher under observation. The teacher being observed may, for example, be know for maintaining excellent levels of discipline in his classes and the observers may want to learn how he does it in order to improve discipline in their own classes.
It is important to note that these sessions never include any form of evaluation whatsoever. This is even made clear to the students attending the class. The sole purpose of any observation session is to learn from the teacher giving the lesson. It is for this reason that no feedback is given after the session, unless the teacher under observation specifically requests such feedback.
The observer teachers have a second meeting after the session. This time they discuss the lessons that they have learnt. They also discuss ideas on how to implement those new ideas in their own classrooms. During this meeting no observer is allowed to utter any form of criticism. They do not submit a report and the entire proceedings is deemed to be confidential.
Observation sessions have quickly gain popularity in many schools, colleges and universities. It is a practical and economical way in which to give educators the chance to develop on a professional level. Teachers are overwhelmingly positive about the system and say that they learn a lot from their colleagues. Being chosen to volunteer to be observed is considered an honour. All parties therefore benefit from such sessions.
Critics of colleague observation sessions say that it is a waste of time. The sessions are far too short and teachers under observation do not act or teach as they normally do. Instead, they go to ridiculous lengths to make an impression upon their observer colleagues and in the process they make it impossible for observers to copy his techniques in their own classrooms.
The fact remains that the educational system is under tremendous pressure. Teachers, parents and civil leaders complain that standards are dropping. If observations sessions can help improve the system, then it should be supported at all levels. It is very easy to manage and it does not involve the commitment of major funding.
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