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.
It is very easy to implement such a system. Basically, a small group of teachers visit the class of another teacher in order to observe him in action. The teacher being observed is normally one with a reputation for getting good results and they normally have lots of experience. The observers do not become involved in the class. They simply watch and learn. The system is always voluntary.
Before the observation session, the observers have a meeting in order to formulate some specific objectives for the coming session. These objectives normally focus on the strong points of the teacher that will be observed. The observers will then focus on how the teacher uses his strengths, such as the ability to use humour, or to maintain discipline in the class, for example, to achieve his results.
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.
Once the session is over, the observers meet again. The purpose of the meeting is to share the experience with each other. Participants are encouraged to discuss the lessons that they have learnt, the ideas that they gained and the ways in which these can be used to improve their own class room techniques. Observers are not allowed to criticise in any way and they do not compile a report either. The meeting is, in fact, strictly confidential.
This way of learning from accomplished colleagues have become extremely popular. Many colleges and universities have also implemented similar systems. Participants generally agree that they find the observation session very useful and that they have been able to improve their own teaching techniques in the process. Even the teachers that are observed benefit because the very fact that they asked to agree means that they are viewed as accomplished professionals.
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.
There can be no doubt that the entire education system is under great pressure. Every effort that is made to improve the quality of education should be applauded and supported. Earning from one another is an economical and practical step forward.
It is very easy to implement such a system. Basically, a small group of teachers visit the class of another teacher in order to observe him in action. The teacher being observed is normally one with a reputation for getting good results and they normally have lots of experience. The observers do not become involved in the class. They simply watch and learn. The system is always voluntary.
Before the observation session, the observers have a meeting in order to formulate some specific objectives for the coming session. These objectives normally focus on the strong points of the teacher that will be observed. The observers will then focus on how the teacher uses his strengths, such as the ability to use humour, or to maintain discipline in the class, for example, to achieve his results.
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.
Once the session is over, the observers meet again. The purpose of the meeting is to share the experience with each other. Participants are encouraged to discuss the lessons that they have learnt, the ideas that they gained and the ways in which these can be used to improve their own class room techniques. Observers are not allowed to criticise in any way and they do not compile a report either. The meeting is, in fact, strictly confidential.
This way of learning from accomplished colleagues have become extremely popular. Many colleges and universities have also implemented similar systems. Participants generally agree that they find the observation session very useful and that they have been able to improve their own teaching techniques in the process. Even the teachers that are observed benefit because the very fact that they asked to agree means that they are viewed as accomplished professionals.
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.
There can be no doubt that the entire education system is under great pressure. Every effort that is made to improve the quality of education should be applauded and supported. Earning from one another is an economical and practical step forward.
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