Teachers play a vital role in the overall well being of any society. They are responsible for the education of the next generation of leaders. Yet teachers are forced to work under great pressure. They not only teach but they also have many administrative responsibilities. In addition, they are expected to be involved with extra curricular activities. There is simply no time for professional development. Thankfully, since the inception of instructional rounds teachers are given the opportunity to grow and learn.
This is by no means a complicated or expensive system. All it is is that a small group of teachers get together for the purpose of observing a senior, more experienced or even well known educator in his classroom while he is teaching. These observed teachers need to agree to be observed, however. The purpose is for less experienced teachers to learn and to find ways in which to improve their own teaching methods.
The observers have a meeting before an observation session where the sole purpose is to decide what the objective that they wish to achieve are. Observed teachers are often known for very specific successes such as getting the learners to participate in class discussions. The observers will focus on those successes and concentrate on learning how to use the same techniques in their own classrooms to obtain similar results.
It is important to note that these observation sessions by no means include any form of evaluation. This would simply defeat the entire purpose of the session. The only purpose of such sessions is for the observers to grow and to learn. They do not even provide feedback to the observed teacher unless he specifically ask for it. The students too, are informed about the true purpose of the visit.
Directly after the observation session the observers meet again. This time the purpose of the meeting is to share the lessons that each participant has learned. They will discuss ways in which they can implement those lessons in their own classrooms. The observed teacher is never criticized and the observer group never submit a report about their experiences. The results of the session is also never discussed outside the group.
The popularity of this system has soared. It is easy to plan and to implement and teachers are keen to participate. These sessions allow them to get to know their colleagues a little better and they are given the opportunity to develop professionally. Many participants have professed that they have learned much during these sessions and that their own results have improved as a consequence. The benefits of the system are enjoyed by all the role players in education.
There are always critics. In this case they say that these sessions are of no consequence because they are too short and infrequent. They say that observed teachers put on an act for observers. They are in the minority, however. Most educators are in favour of the system. They say that they cherish the opportunity learn and that they find that they are once again enthusiastic about their jobs.
There should really be no opposition to a system that cost almost nothing, that is supported by the majority of teachers and that have proven to have positive results. If the educational system is going to improve innovative and creative systems have to be put into place. These sessions are of benefit to everyone involved in education.
This is by no means a complicated or expensive system. All it is is that a small group of teachers get together for the purpose of observing a senior, more experienced or even well known educator in his classroom while he is teaching. These observed teachers need to agree to be observed, however. The purpose is for less experienced teachers to learn and to find ways in which to improve their own teaching methods.
The observers have a meeting before an observation session where the sole purpose is to decide what the objective that they wish to achieve are. Observed teachers are often known for very specific successes such as getting the learners to participate in class discussions. The observers will focus on those successes and concentrate on learning how to use the same techniques in their own classrooms to obtain similar results.
It is important to note that these observation sessions by no means include any form of evaluation. This would simply defeat the entire purpose of the session. The only purpose of such sessions is for the observers to grow and to learn. They do not even provide feedback to the observed teacher unless he specifically ask for it. The students too, are informed about the true purpose of the visit.
Directly after the observation session the observers meet again. This time the purpose of the meeting is to share the lessons that each participant has learned. They will discuss ways in which they can implement those lessons in their own classrooms. The observed teacher is never criticized and the observer group never submit a report about their experiences. The results of the session is also never discussed outside the group.
The popularity of this system has soared. It is easy to plan and to implement and teachers are keen to participate. These sessions allow them to get to know their colleagues a little better and they are given the opportunity to develop professionally. Many participants have professed that they have learned much during these sessions and that their own results have improved as a consequence. The benefits of the system are enjoyed by all the role players in education.
There are always critics. In this case they say that these sessions are of no consequence because they are too short and infrequent. They say that observed teachers put on an act for observers. They are in the minority, however. Most educators are in favour of the system. They say that they cherish the opportunity learn and that they find that they are once again enthusiastic about their jobs.
There should really be no opposition to a system that cost almost nothing, that is supported by the majority of teachers and that have proven to have positive results. If the educational system is going to improve innovative and creative systems have to be put into place. These sessions are of benefit to everyone involved in education.
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