1:48 AM
It is a sad fact that many teachers have to perform their many responsibilities in isolation. They mostly interact with their students and they seldom receive objective feedback from other professionals. Classroom walkthroughs have changed all this. It allows teachers to receive advice from their peers. Best of all, this advice is non judgmental and its sole purpose is to benefit the teacher concerned.
Instructional rounds are all about teachers learning from each other through observation. It is not meant as a method of formal evaluation and no report is ever submitted. The visiting observers do nothing but sit in the class of a host teacher and observe his or her techniques and methods. Feedback is only provided if it is requested by the host teacher. Even then feedback is given informally and in a constructive manner.
Setting up a system of instructional rounds is simple and straight forward. Small groups of observers, often from different schools visit another teacher in class. The students are informed that there will be visitors and they are advised that the visitors are there to learn. Observers typically attend classes for fifteen minutes only and they never take part in the teaching activities.
In many cases maximum benefit can be derived from an instructional round by defining one or two objectives beforehand. Observers may focus, for example on issues related to the interaction between the teacher and the student, or on the use of visual aids during the lesson. The observers simply make notes and compare their personal experiences after the lesson.
The debriefing session after an observation visit is almost as important as the visit itself. It is then that observers can share their experiences and impressions with each other. In many cases they are able to brainstorm on ways in which to use new techniques in their own classrooms. The host teacher is invited to the debriefing session but attendance is always voluntary.
Educational managers agree that instructional rounds can play a very important role in improving the quality of education. Teachers not only learn from each other but they are also motivated when observers acknowledge their innovation. Instructional rounds also play an important role in improving relations between different schools. It goes without saying that student benefit when their teachers try new methods.
Great care should be taken to make sure that an instructional rounds system does not cause harm. This is certainly possible if any teacher is forced to participate or if observers discuss their opinions with outsiders. If the system is seen as a formal form of evaluation it will not achieve the benefits that can be gained. Teachers under observations should never be criticized.
When properly managed instructional rounds can play a very important role in helping teachers to increase their efficiency and innovation. There are many highly experienced teachers that can help others to be more effective. Of course, students can only benefit from motivated teachers that are willing to employ new techniques and methods.
Instructional rounds are all about teachers learning from each other through observation. It is not meant as a method of formal evaluation and no report is ever submitted. The visiting observers do nothing but sit in the class of a host teacher and observe his or her techniques and methods. Feedback is only provided if it is requested by the host teacher. Even then feedback is given informally and in a constructive manner.
Setting up a system of instructional rounds is simple and straight forward. Small groups of observers, often from different schools visit another teacher in class. The students are informed that there will be visitors and they are advised that the visitors are there to learn. Observers typically attend classes for fifteen minutes only and they never take part in the teaching activities.
In many cases maximum benefit can be derived from an instructional round by defining one or two objectives beforehand. Observers may focus, for example on issues related to the interaction between the teacher and the student, or on the use of visual aids during the lesson. The observers simply make notes and compare their personal experiences after the lesson.
The debriefing session after an observation visit is almost as important as the visit itself. It is then that observers can share their experiences and impressions with each other. In many cases they are able to brainstorm on ways in which to use new techniques in their own classrooms. The host teacher is invited to the debriefing session but attendance is always voluntary.
Educational managers agree that instructional rounds can play a very important role in improving the quality of education. Teachers not only learn from each other but they are also motivated when observers acknowledge their innovation. Instructional rounds also play an important role in improving relations between different schools. It goes without saying that student benefit when their teachers try new methods.
Great care should be taken to make sure that an instructional rounds system does not cause harm. This is certainly possible if any teacher is forced to participate or if observers discuss their opinions with outsiders. If the system is seen as a formal form of evaluation it will not achieve the benefits that can be gained. Teachers under observations should never be criticized.
When properly managed instructional rounds can play a very important role in helping teachers to increase their efficiency and innovation. There are many highly experienced teachers that can help others to be more effective. Of course, students can only benefit from motivated teachers that are willing to employ new techniques and methods.
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