Friday, April 22, 2016

How Instructional Rounds Are Initiated

By Frances Long


There are several ways in which educators can garner academic skills. For instance, teachers can indulge in instructional rounds as a means of learning from each other. This technique has proven to be effective in developing the careers of teachers. It has also been adopted in several schools these days as a way of increasing the academic performance of students. This technique can be carried out as follows.

It is recommended that all educators must participate in this process at least once in every semester. This procedure is also supposed to be facilitated by a lead teacher. This individual should portray exceptional leadership skills. In most cases, school administrators usually initiate this process.

Teachers are advised to volunteer all the time whenever this exercise is rolled out. Those who volunteer are likely to learn more from their colleagues. Alternatively, school heads also have the capacity to choose the participants of this exercise. They should, however, choose indiscriminately. This is because when this exercise is rolled out, all teachers should benefit from it. Furthermore, educators are key determinants of the academic success of students in a particular school.

Educators who have been selected to participate in this endeavor are expected to form a team of five individuals. Once a team has been formed, the five individuals should appear in class accompanied by a lead teacher. Educators who are supposed to be observed as they teach should notify their learners that several teachers will visit their classroom.

Observing teachers are required to knock quietly at the classroom doors when they arrive. They are also expected to sit at the back. These educators should take notes and observe how their fellow teacher guides students through an academic lesson. For example, they can examine how a teacher communicates with students when a lesson is ongoing. The observation session takes about ten minutes. During this duration, they should also record everything that they have heard and seen in the classroom. Once the duration is over, the observing group leaves the room after thanking students and the teacher.

In the next step, teachers are required to gather and present their observations. Each one of them is given adequate time to present observations. School administrators are supposed to initiate this procedure as a means of evaluating what teachers have learned in class. Also, teachers are discouraged from sharing their observations and experiences with other people who are not members of their team.

Teachers garner a lot of skills when observing their colleagues as they teach. For example, they can learn new teaching strategies from their colleagues. They can also learn how to increase the concentration levels of students in classrooms. Once they garner these skills, educators can adopt them when teaching students. Learning from other teachers can help them to increase the academic performance of students.

This endeavor stimulates energy and excitement among teachers who work in the same school. It is also an opportunity for educators to learn from their colleagues from other schools. When educators get the chance to interact and observe how their colleagues teach, they are revitalized and empowered as professionals.




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