Teachers work under tremendous pressure. Not only do they have to teach their classes, but they have to teach to very large classes. This makes individual attention to struggling students very difficult. In addition, teachers are required to do an enormous amount of administrative work. They have to be involved with other school activities and they need time to prepare their lessons. There is no time for personal development, but with school based instructional rounds they do get an opportunity to grow professionally.
Implementing this system is easy and it does not require any funding or other resources. In essence, the system consist of smaller groups of teachers visiting the class of another teacher in order to observe how he teaches. The teacher under observation is almost always an accomplished educator. The purpose of the visit is to learn from the teacher teaching his class. No one is forced to participate in observation sessions.
The observers have a meeting prior to attending the class of another teacher. The purpose of this meeting is to set a few specific goals. In most cases, the teacher that will be observed is considered to be accomplished in at least one specific area, such as succeeding in getting learners to participate in the lesson. The observers will them concentrate on this specific aspect, hoping to learn just how it is accomplished.
Observation sessions should never be confused with formal evaluation sessions. The purpose of observation session is definitely not to conduct evaluation at all. The sole purpose is for the observers to watch and to learn. They do not interfere in the class and they do not participate in any way. This is explained to the learners too. After the session, the observers do not provide feedback.
After the session, the observers meet once again. This time the purpose is to share lessons learnt with each other. No observer is allowed to voice any criticism. The only thing being discussed is the lessons that were learnt and the insight that was gained. They also discuss way s in which they can integrate these lessons in their own classrooms. These meetings are confidential and no report is submitted.
Teachers participating in these observation sessions are very positive about it. They say that they not only learn a lot from their colleagues, but that they are also given the opportunity to interact with their colleagues. It is no wonder that observation sessions are now implemented almost everywhere, even at some universities. Everyone agrees that the system plays a role in helping to improve the general quality of education.
The system has its critics too. They say that these observation sessions are far too short to be of any value and they are too informal. They also say that teachers being observed tend to make special efforts to impress their colleagues, thereby completely negating the very purpose of the session. Critics are of the opinion that observation systems are merely watered down efforts to improve the quality of education.
Nobody will argue the fact that the educational system needs to improve in all ways. If observation sessions help teacher to do their jobs better, then they are certainly worth it. They do not cost much and they are extremely easy to implement and to manage.
Implementing this system is easy and it does not require any funding or other resources. In essence, the system consist of smaller groups of teachers visiting the class of another teacher in order to observe how he teaches. The teacher under observation is almost always an accomplished educator. The purpose of the visit is to learn from the teacher teaching his class. No one is forced to participate in observation sessions.
The observers have a meeting prior to attending the class of another teacher. The purpose of this meeting is to set a few specific goals. In most cases, the teacher that will be observed is considered to be accomplished in at least one specific area, such as succeeding in getting learners to participate in the lesson. The observers will them concentrate on this specific aspect, hoping to learn just how it is accomplished.
Observation sessions should never be confused with formal evaluation sessions. The purpose of observation session is definitely not to conduct evaluation at all. The sole purpose is for the observers to watch and to learn. They do not interfere in the class and they do not participate in any way. This is explained to the learners too. After the session, the observers do not provide feedback.
After the session, the observers meet once again. This time the purpose is to share lessons learnt with each other. No observer is allowed to voice any criticism. The only thing being discussed is the lessons that were learnt and the insight that was gained. They also discuss way s in which they can integrate these lessons in their own classrooms. These meetings are confidential and no report is submitted.
Teachers participating in these observation sessions are very positive about it. They say that they not only learn a lot from their colleagues, but that they are also given the opportunity to interact with their colleagues. It is no wonder that observation sessions are now implemented almost everywhere, even at some universities. Everyone agrees that the system plays a role in helping to improve the general quality of education.
The system has its critics too. They say that these observation sessions are far too short to be of any value and they are too informal. They also say that teachers being observed tend to make special efforts to impress their colleagues, thereby completely negating the very purpose of the session. Critics are of the opinion that observation systems are merely watered down efforts to improve the quality of education.
Nobody will argue the fact that the educational system needs to improve in all ways. If observation sessions help teacher to do their jobs better, then they are certainly worth it. They do not cost much and they are extremely easy to implement and to manage.
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