Sunday 25 June 2017

The Importance Of Instructional Rounds

By Joyce Williams


Numerous practices take place in learning institutions. Most of the practices usually involve the student. However, there are exercises where both teachers and their students can engage in. One such practice involves carrying out instructional rounds. This is a kind of evaluation exercise where a team of teachers get to make observations on other teachers.

Basically, it involves a lead teacher, who is responsible for overseeing the entire exercise. The leading teacher should be someone, who other teachers look up to and respect. A group of selected teachers, who are volunteers, then make tools into different classrooms to take a look at how things are being run. As the observations continue to take place the teachers take note of everything that goes on. The notes made from these observations are then discussed and analyzed in detail.

Any teacher can offer to volunteer. The group of teachers doing the rounds is usually small comprising of not more than five teachers the lead teacher included. A day is appointed on which these tools will be carried out. Students are also given a chance to participate in the exercise. Information regarding the exercise is usually made known to the students so that they are not caught unawares. It also helps the students to relax and take it as any other exercise.

After all the rounds have been made, discussions then commences. Each teacher is given a chance to make a comment on what they observed. They determine what they can employ in their practice and which ones should be discouraged. This process produces a great chance to assess issues and determine the best way in which to deal with such issues. This way a lot of challenges can be addressed and solutions determined.

It is important that schools employ the use of this exercise as it has shown to cause a positive impact. The teachers learn a lot while participating in the exercise. Furthermore, they are able to evaluate themselves and see what they can pick from their colleagues that could enhance their teaching methods.

In addition to bettering the teacher overall skills, the tools also promote good interactions among teachers. They get the opportunity to engage with each other and learn a lot from the experiences of one another. They are able to pick a lesson or two about how they can improve their teaching methodology. This also promotes friendly working environments, since they are all comfortable with each other and can accept corrections.

Moreover, many challenges faced by both students and teachers can be able to be addressed this way. During the discussion, problems stated get to be addressed. Measures are put in place in terms of what action should be taken so as to minimize if not to fully eradicate the challenges. Each teacher gets to give out their views on how best they think a solution can be drawn.

In conclusion, it is fair to state that the tools are of great value. This is clearly seen from the number of positive impacts it has on any school. Therefore, it is encouraged that learning institutions employ the culture of this practice. It is a friendly experience and the most should be made out of it.




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