Teachers have a very tough job. They often work in difficult circumstances. While their work load is very high, they seldom have all the resources they need to do their jobs well. Many teachers have to deal with disciplinary problems and sometimes they even have to work under dangerous conditions. Opportunities for professional development are few and far between, but at least they can become part of instructional rounds to learn from respected colleagues.
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.
Even though observation sessions are rather informal, observers still meet before each session in order to set goals for the session. Teachers being observed are often known for specific skills or talents and it is these talents in action that that the observers want to see and learn from. For example, a particular teacher may have an excellent reputation for maintaining discipline in the class and observers will focus on his techniques in this respect.
Observation sessions do no have an element of evaluation and the purpose is certainly not to judge the abilities of the teacher being observed. That is one reason why only experienced teachers are observed. The sole purpose is to learn from the teacher under observation. Observers do not even provide feedback unless the observed teacher asks for it. The purpose of the sessions is also explained to learners ahead of time.
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.
Observation sessions offer many benefits. Participants agree that they learn valuable lessons from their experienced colleagues and that they are often inspired by them. This, in turn, lead to better teaching methods and more innovation in the classroom and the learners reap the benefits of these improvements. Teachers being observed are also often motivated by the recognition they are given by their fellow teachers.
Critics say that these sessions are nothing but a waste of time. They are of the opinion that the sessions are to short to result in meaningful learning. There are even those that say that teachers being observed often act out of character during such sessions because they simply want to impress their colleagues. Most teachers disagree. They say that they find the sessions worthwhile and instructive.
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.
Even though observation sessions are rather informal, observers still meet before each session in order to set goals for the session. Teachers being observed are often known for specific skills or talents and it is these talents in action that that the observers want to see and learn from. For example, a particular teacher may have an excellent reputation for maintaining discipline in the class and observers will focus on his techniques in this respect.
Observation sessions do no have an element of evaluation and the purpose is certainly not to judge the abilities of the teacher being observed. That is one reason why only experienced teachers are observed. The sole purpose is to learn from the teacher under observation. Observers do not even provide feedback unless the observed teacher asks for it. The purpose of the sessions is also explained to learners ahead of time.
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.
Observation sessions offer many benefits. Participants agree that they learn valuable lessons from their experienced colleagues and that they are often inspired by them. This, in turn, lead to better teaching methods and more innovation in the classroom and the learners reap the benefits of these improvements. Teachers being observed are also often motivated by the recognition they are given by their fellow teachers.
Critics say that these sessions are nothing but a waste of time. They are of the opinion that the sessions are to short to result in meaningful learning. There are even those that say that teachers being observed often act out of character during such sessions because they simply want to impress their colleagues. Most teachers disagree. They say that they find the sessions worthwhile and instructive.
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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