How School Based Instructional Rounds Benefit The Educational System

By Scott Schmidt


The educational system is under severe pressure and teachers have to do the best that they can under difficult circumstances. They have to teach large classes, deal with a severe shortage of resources, attend meetings, keep parents happy and perform many administrative tasks. They have to teach and prepare their lessons. There is simply no time to attend courses in order to develop personally and professionally. However, with school based instructional rounds teachers do get the chance to interact and to learn.

Implementing such a system is easy and it does not require any form of funding. It is not a complicated system. Small groups of teachers visit a colleague to observe him presenting a lesson. This teacher under observation is normally a well respected and experienced educator known for achieving excellent results. The purpose of the observers is to learn from him. The system is always voluntary.

Before such an observation session, the observers have a meeting. They set some goals for the session, normally focusing on the strong points of the teachers that will be under observation. Many teachers are known for being very efficient in certain areas and this is the areas where the observers will focus and strive to learn. For example, a teacher may be known for for his ability to maintain discipline in the class and the observers will try to find out how he does it.

Some people confuse these observation sessions with evaluation exercises. This is most certainly not the case. The teacher under observation is not evaluated in any way. The only purpose of the session is to allow the observers the opportunity to see a respected colleague in action. This is made clear to all role players, including the learners. No feedback is given.

After each session, the observers meet once more. The purpose of this second meeting is to share their experiences and to tell each other what they have learned during the session. No criticism in any form is allowed and no report is compiled. Observers rather focus on ways in which they can implement the lessons that they have learned in their own classrooms. These meetings are deemed to be strictly confidential.

Most teachers that participate in these systems are extremely positive about it. They say that they really do learn from their colleagues and that they appreciate the opportunity to get to know their own colleagues a bit better. Teacher being observed also benefit because they enjoy the official recognition of their peers. The entire concept has grown in popularity and is now even used by some universities and colleges.

There are always critics of any system. In this case they say that these session are of very little value because they are too short and not held often enough. They also reckon that the teachers being observed are sorely tempted to adjust their teaching styles in order to make a good impression on their colleagues. The only way in which to develop teachers professionally is by means of formal courses, they say.

Regardless of thee criticism, observation sessions keep growing in popularity. It is easy to implement and it does not cost money. The majority of role players agree that any effort to improve the standard of education should be applauded and supported.




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