8:07:00 AM
Teachers have a very tough job. They often work in difficult circumstances. While their work load is very high, they seldom have all the resources they need to do their jobs well. Many teachers have to deal with disciplinary problems and sometimes they even have to work under dangerous conditions. Opportunities for professional development are few and far between, but at least they can become part of instructional rounds to learn from respected colleagues.
The concept is simple and straightforward. A small group of teachers, under the leadership of a senior colleague attend the class of another teacher that is deemed experienced and innovative. The observers do not take any part in the classroom activities. They are simply focused on observing and on making notes. No teacher is ever forced to agree to being observed or even to attend an observation session.
Although the sessions are not rigorously structured, observers still meet before attending a session. In this meeting they agree on specific goals and the classroom activities that they want to focus on. Teachers being observed are often known for a particular talent or skill and observers will typically focus on that talent or skill during the observation session, hoping to develop similar talents and skills.
Observation sessions do no have an element of evaluation and the purpose is certainly not to judge the abilities of the teacher being observed. That is one reason why only experienced teachers are observed. The sole purpose is to learn from the teacher under observation. Observers do not even provide feedback unless the observed teacher asks for it. The purpose of the sessions is also explained to learners ahead of time.
Although no feedback is given to the observed teacher, observers nevertheless meet after each session. During this meeting they share the lessons they have learned and the ideas that they developed from observing a colleague. These meetings are deemed to be highly confidential and no report is prepared. Observers are not allowed to criticize the teacher that was observed in action.
Observation sessions have become widespread and now even include the observation of respected teachers at other schools and colleges. Most participants report that they benefit from these sessions. Of course, when they benefit, their schools and the learners also benefit and in this way the quality of education is raised. Teachers under observation also benefit because they are being acknowledged as experienced and talented.
Critics say that these sessions are nothing but a waste of time. They are of the opinion that the sessions are to short to result in meaningful learning. There are even those that say that teachers being observed often act out of character during such sessions because they simply want to impress their colleagues. Most teachers disagree. They say that they find the sessions worthwhile and instructive.
Nobody will deny the fact that one of the most important components of a healthy society is a quality educational system. Anything that helps to improve the quality of education should be applauded. Teachers need every opportunity that they can get to grow both personally and professionally. In the end, society as a whole benefits.
The concept is simple and straightforward. A small group of teachers, under the leadership of a senior colleague attend the class of another teacher that is deemed experienced and innovative. The observers do not take any part in the classroom activities. They are simply focused on observing and on making notes. No teacher is ever forced to agree to being observed or even to attend an observation session.
Although the sessions are not rigorously structured, observers still meet before attending a session. In this meeting they agree on specific goals and the classroom activities that they want to focus on. Teachers being observed are often known for a particular talent or skill and observers will typically focus on that talent or skill during the observation session, hoping to develop similar talents and skills.
Observation sessions do no have an element of evaluation and the purpose is certainly not to judge the abilities of the teacher being observed. That is one reason why only experienced teachers are observed. The sole purpose is to learn from the teacher under observation. Observers do not even provide feedback unless the observed teacher asks for it. The purpose of the sessions is also explained to learners ahead of time.
Although no feedback is given to the observed teacher, observers nevertheless meet after each session. During this meeting they share the lessons they have learned and the ideas that they developed from observing a colleague. These meetings are deemed to be highly confidential and no report is prepared. Observers are not allowed to criticize the teacher that was observed in action.
Observation sessions have become widespread and now even include the observation of respected teachers at other schools and colleges. Most participants report that they benefit from these sessions. Of course, when they benefit, their schools and the learners also benefit and in this way the quality of education is raised. Teachers under observation also benefit because they are being acknowledged as experienced and talented.
Critics say that these sessions are nothing but a waste of time. They are of the opinion that the sessions are to short to result in meaningful learning. There are even those that say that teachers being observed often act out of character during such sessions because they simply want to impress their colleagues. Most teachers disagree. They say that they find the sessions worthwhile and instructive.
Nobody will deny the fact that one of the most important components of a healthy society is a quality educational system. Anything that helps to improve the quality of education should be applauded. Teachers need every opportunity that they can get to grow both personally and professionally. In the end, society as a whole benefits.
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