Instructional Rounds Improve The Quality Of Education

By Timothy Edwards


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.

This system is very easy to implement. A group of teachers are invited to observe another teacher in his classroom. The teacher under observation is normally one that enjoys a good professional reputation and that is know for obtaining good results. The observers simply sit in on a class, but without participating in any way. Their role is to learn. Taking part as observer or agreeing to be observed is always voluntary.

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.

Experts are quick to point out that these observation sessions should never be confused with any for of student or teacher evaluation. They have only one purpose and that it is to impart teaching skills and techniques. For this reason, feedback is seldom given after a session and then only if the teacher under observation requests feedback. Care is also taken to make sure that students understand the purpose of such sessions.

Even though no feedback is given, observers still meet after each session. They discuss the lessons that they have learned, the ways in which they can implement those lessons in their own classrooms and any other positive observations that they have made. No criticism of the teacher that was observed is allowed. These feedback meetings are confidential and no report is ever drawn up.

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.

There cannot be any doubt that every effort that aims to improve the standard of education is worth pursuing. This is especially true if it is inexpensive and easy to implement. The educational system is under pressure and anything that can help should be supported.




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