There can be no doubt that the entire educational system is in a crisis. There are not enough resources. Teachers have to deal with very large classes and they often have to deal with disciplinary problems. The administrative load is heavy and they have to show support for extra curricular activities. This is all apart from their primary jobs, to teach. Luckily, with school based instructional rounds teachers get a chance to learn and to become better in their jobs.
Starting such a system is truly not difficult and it is extremely cheap. It simply means that a smaller group of teachers attend the class of a colleague, normally a well respected and experienced one, to see how he does his job. The whole idea is to learn from one another. There is never pressure placed upon anyone to participate as either observer or the teacher being observed.
Before attending a session, the observers meet in order to discuss the forthcoming visit and to set some goals. Observation sessions are short so the observers try to focus on one or two aspects only, normally the known strong points of the teacher under observation. He may be known, for example, for the excellent way in which he uses multimedia in his class. The session will then focus on that aspect of his teaching.
It is vital to understand that these observation sessions do not include any element of evaluation. The purpose is definitely not to judge or evaluate the teacher under observation, but to learn from him. Students are also clearly briefed on the purpose of the visit by the observers. To help avoid any form of criticism or evaluation, observers provide no feedback after the session, unless the teacher under observation specifically request such feedback.
After each session, the observers meet once more. The purpose of this second meeting is to share their experiences and to tell each other what they have learned during the session. No criticism in any form is allowed and no report is compiled. Observers rather focus on ways in which they can implement the lessons that they have learned in their own classrooms. These meetings are deemed to be strictly confidential.
The vast majority of teachers participating in observation sessions report that they definitely benefit. The sessions not only expose them to the teaching methods of respected colleagues, but also allow them to get to know their own colleagues a little better. These sessions are extremely popular and have even been implemented in many institutions of higher learning. The general agreement is that they help to improve educational standards.
The critics are sceptical. They think that there is little benefit to be gained in short observation sessions and that the entire systems is much too informal. In addition, they accuse teachers being observed of taking special trouble to make a good impression upon their colleagues. Formal training is the only true answer to the problem of poor educational standards, these critics allege.
The fact remains that observation sessions are virtually free, simple to implement and very popular. Experts agree that they do make a difference. Anything that strive towards bettering the educational system and its standards should be supported and underwritten.
Starting such a system is truly not difficult and it is extremely cheap. It simply means that a smaller group of teachers attend the class of a colleague, normally a well respected and experienced one, to see how he does his job. The whole idea is to learn from one another. There is never pressure placed upon anyone to participate as either observer or the teacher being observed.
Before attending a session, the observers meet in order to discuss the forthcoming visit and to set some goals. Observation sessions are short so the observers try to focus on one or two aspects only, normally the known strong points of the teacher under observation. He may be known, for example, for the excellent way in which he uses multimedia in his class. The session will then focus on that aspect of his teaching.
It is vital to understand that these observation sessions do not include any element of evaluation. The purpose is definitely not to judge or evaluate the teacher under observation, but to learn from him. Students are also clearly briefed on the purpose of the visit by the observers. To help avoid any form of criticism or evaluation, observers provide no feedback after the session, unless the teacher under observation specifically request such feedback.
After each session, the observers meet once more. The purpose of this second meeting is to share their experiences and to tell each other what they have learned during the session. No criticism in any form is allowed and no report is compiled. Observers rather focus on ways in which they can implement the lessons that they have learned in their own classrooms. These meetings are deemed to be strictly confidential.
The vast majority of teachers participating in observation sessions report that they definitely benefit. The sessions not only expose them to the teaching methods of respected colleagues, but also allow them to get to know their own colleagues a little better. These sessions are extremely popular and have even been implemented in many institutions of higher learning. The general agreement is that they help to improve educational standards.
The critics are sceptical. They think that there is little benefit to be gained in short observation sessions and that the entire systems is much too informal. In addition, they accuse teachers being observed of taking special trouble to make a good impression upon their colleagues. Formal training is the only true answer to the problem of poor educational standards, these critics allege.
The fact remains that observation sessions are virtually free, simple to implement and very popular. Experts agree that they do make a difference. Anything that strive towards bettering the educational system and its standards should be supported and underwritten.
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