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 order to gain full benefit from an observation session it may be best to focus on one or two aspects of teaching only. Observers may, for example, concentrate on the way in which the host teacher communicate with the students or the manner in which he uses his teaching aids and other visual media. Observation sessions seldom last more than a quarter of an hour.
It is important that observers have a debriefing session after a visit. During this discussion they have the opportunity to share their impressions with each other. They can also devise ways in which to incorporate new ideas and techniques in their own teaching. The discussions during these debriefing sessions are never shared with anyone outside the group. The host teacher can attend the session but they are not obliged to do so. If requested to do so the observers may present the host teacher with a report.
Educational experts agree that instructional rounds hold many benefits. It can play an important role in fostering better relationship between teachers from different schools. Because the focus is upon learning from each other, the general quality of education can only benefit. Host teachers often feel motivated by the feedback they receive from observers and it goes without saying that students can only benefit when their teachers uses new techniques and methods in the class.
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 order to gain full benefit from an observation session it may be best to focus on one or two aspects of teaching only. Observers may, for example, concentrate on the way in which the host teacher communicate with the students or the manner in which he uses his teaching aids and other visual media. Observation sessions seldom last more than a quarter of an hour.
It is important that observers have a debriefing session after a visit. During this discussion they have the opportunity to share their impressions with each other. They can also devise ways in which to incorporate new ideas and techniques in their own teaching. The discussions during these debriefing sessions are never shared with anyone outside the group. The host teacher can attend the session but they are not obliged to do so. If requested to do so the observers may present the host teacher with a report.
Educational experts agree that instructional rounds hold many benefits. It can play an important role in fostering better relationship between teachers from different schools. Because the focus is upon learning from each other, the general quality of education can only benefit. Host teachers often feel motivated by the feedback they receive from observers and it goes without saying that students can only benefit when their teachers uses new techniques and methods in the class.
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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