The teaching profession is a very demanding profession. Many teachers have to do their work in isolation, even if they are surrounded by colleagues and students. They are seldom offered opportunities to grow as teachers and as mentors. That is why classroom walkthroughs have become so popular. It allows teachers to assist each other and to learn from each other. It is not a threatening practice but rather an effort to increase the quality of education.
The goal of instructional rounds is not to evaluate teachers in a formal manner. Its purpose is to allow small groups of observers to visit another teacher in class and to see how he or she teaches. In this way teachers can learn from each other. The observers do not provide formal feedback and they do not discuss their opinions with anyone other than the teacher concerned.
It is really easy to set up a schedule for instructional rounds. In most cases there is a small group of observers and they are led by an experienced and respected teacher. The observers do not take part in the class activities. The students are told in advance that the observers are there to learn from their teacher. This type of support and interaction can even be done between different schools.
In order to gain maximum benefit from an instructional round it is necessary to set one or two very specific goals. Rather than observing in a general manner attention is paid to specific aspects such as the use of teaching aids or the way in which the teacher gets the students to interact with the subject matter. Observers discuss their impressions with each other after the visit.
The debriefing after an observation session is important. Observers can learn even more by sharing their experiences and by discussing the techniques and methods employed by the host teacher. These discussions are not shared outside the group of observers. Part of the discussions should be on how to incorporate new ideas in their own classes. The host teacher can choose whether he or she wants to be part of the debrief session.
Most education experts are in agreement that instructional rounds are beneficial to the educational system as a whole. Teachers learn from each other and relations between different schools are improved. Students also benefit because their teachers are often exposed to new ideas and methods. Host teachers are motivated by positive feedback and this can play an important role in building morale and in teachers making additional efforts to improve.
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.
The goal of instructional rounds is not to evaluate teachers in a formal manner. Its purpose is to allow small groups of observers to visit another teacher in class and to see how he or she teaches. In this way teachers can learn from each other. The observers do not provide formal feedback and they do not discuss their opinions with anyone other than the teacher concerned.
It is really easy to set up a schedule for instructional rounds. In most cases there is a small group of observers and they are led by an experienced and respected teacher. The observers do not take part in the class activities. The students are told in advance that the observers are there to learn from their teacher. This type of support and interaction can even be done between different schools.
In order to gain maximum benefit from an instructional round it is necessary to set one or two very specific goals. Rather than observing in a general manner attention is paid to specific aspects such as the use of teaching aids or the way in which the teacher gets the students to interact with the subject matter. Observers discuss their impressions with each other after the visit.
The debriefing after an observation session is important. Observers can learn even more by sharing their experiences and by discussing the techniques and methods employed by the host teacher. These discussions are not shared outside the group of observers. Part of the discussions should be on how to incorporate new ideas in their own classes. The host teacher can choose whether he or she wants to be part of the debrief session.
Most education experts are in agreement that instructional rounds are beneficial to the educational system as a whole. Teachers learn from each other and relations between different schools are improved. Students also benefit because their teachers are often exposed to new ideas and methods. Host teachers are motivated by positive feedback and this can play an important role in building morale and in teachers making additional efforts to improve.
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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