Teachers are under tremendous pressure. They often have to work under difficult, even dangerous conditions. They seldom have all the resources they need to do their jobs properly. They have to cope with very large classes and they often work in isolation. In addition, the fact that the entire educational system is under such tremendous pressure means that teacher seldom get the opportunity to attend seminars and training sessions. Instructional rounds, however, do create opportunities for professional development.
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.
Although the sessions are not rigorously structured, observers still meet before attending a session. In this meeting they agree on specific goals and the classroom activities that they want to focus on. Teachers being observed are often known for a particular talent or skill and observers will typically focus on that talent or skill during the observation session, hoping to develop similar talents and skills.
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.
After observation sessions, observers meet again. This meeting is confidential and no formal notes or reports are drawn up. The purpose of this meeting is to consolidate the lessons learnt during the observation session. The observers share their notes and they discuss ways in which they can improve their own performance in the classroom by applying ideas and techniques that they observed during the session.
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.
There are those that say that these sessions are worthless, mainly because they are too informal and short. Some even say that teachers under observation do not perform as they would normally do, but that they make an extra effort simply to impress their colleagues. Supporters are adamant, however, that the system helps to improve educational quality and that teachers participating are benefiting from it.
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.
Although the sessions are not rigorously structured, observers still meet before attending a session. In this meeting they agree on specific goals and the classroom activities that they want to focus on. Teachers being observed are often known for a particular talent or skill and observers will typically focus on that talent or skill during the observation session, hoping to develop similar talents and skills.
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.
After observation sessions, observers meet again. This meeting is confidential and no formal notes or reports are drawn up. The purpose of this meeting is to consolidate the lessons learnt during the observation session. The observers share their notes and they discuss ways in which they can improve their own performance in the classroom by applying ideas and techniques that they observed during the session.
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.
There are those that say that these sessions are worthless, mainly because they are too informal and short. Some even say that teachers under observation do not perform as they would normally do, but that they make an extra effort simply to impress their colleagues. Supporters are adamant, however, that the system helps to improve educational quality and that teachers participating are benefiting from it.
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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