This document discusses classroom observation and walkthroughs. Classroom observation provides detailed views of individual classrooms, while walkthroughs provide a broader picture of a whole school or department. Common characteristics of effective classroom observation include informal communication and management by wandering around. The document also discusses using classroom observation and walkthroughs to evaluate instructional practices, not teachers, and to foster collaboration by identifying problems and creating collaborative solutions. A multi-step process is outlined that involves planning, data collection, analysis, and reflection. Student input is recommended to provide rich information.
36. Classroom
observation –
provides many views
on a single
classroom/teacher
Walkthroughs – provide a
school(department) wide
picture made of many small
snapshots
37. Common characteristics:
- Intensity of communication
- Informal communication
- Management by Wandering
Around (United Airlines and
Hewlett-Packard)
38. One way for a system to evolve is
when a group can identify a problem
and create a plan to collaboratively
solve it.
39. Used to evaluate instructional and
curricular practices, not people.
40.
41. 1. Planning with a focus – example from my
department (SIS Maths). The focus was on
evidence of elements of an inquiry-based
learning environment in the classroom
42. 2. Collecting data
Helpful idea: some of the richest information comes from
observing and engaging with students about what and how
they learn
43. 3. Analysing data – example from my
department (SIS Maths). The focus was
on evidence of elements of an inquirybased learning environment in the
classroom
Date
7 looks at
12
4 draws
ways of
discusses
informati
6 uses
working
with
on from
practical without a
students
students
equipmen textbook
10
different
by asking
t as a
for
8 asks
enables
ways they
3
questions 5 invites way of
students students
students 11
might
organises that
pupils to lifting
in order to explain 9 enables to see
expects demonstr
small
enable
ask their words
to
how they students conection students ate their
groups
everyone own
and ideas practice know
to explores
to
achievem
and
to make questions from a
and
somethin ideas and between develop ents and
2
reporting-some
and make textbook consolidatg is true, discover different tasks and what they
1. Asks encourag back
kind of
up their or a
e
complete things by areas of work in- have
b/m/e of qpen
es paired opportuni contributi own
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e
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d
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12.01e
12.01e
12.01b
12.01b
12.01b
12.01b
25.01m
25.01m
25.01e
25.01e
18.02m
18.02m
18.02m
25.02e
25.02e
3.03m
3.03m
3.03m
44. 4. Reflecting on data
Reflection is “… the ability to look back and
make sense of what happened and what you
learned. But it is also the ability to look forward,
to anticipate what’s coming up, and what you
need to do to prepare.” York-Barr J, Sommers
W, Ghere GS, Montie J (2006) Reflective
Practice to Improve Schools
Feedback to the individual?
Notas do Editor
1) First talk about the classroom walkthrough model = a series of frequent classroom visits where the observer(s) are looking for a pre-determined evidence of specific practices. Time: 2-10min.2) Many models available, Carolyn Downey has an extensive work on this. Develop whatever suits your department’s needs.Instructional Leadership – strengthen your leadership role by being acquainted and involved with actual classroom practices.Professional development – determine strengths and weaknesses in your department. Build on using the strengths to .. weaknesses. Create a collaborative learning environment in your department. Increase in coaching, peer coaching and mentoring in the department (be careful, walkthroughs and not judgmentalData-driven decision making – HoDs will be called upon to make decisions regarding the curriculum and to assess the degree of implementation of various classroom practices
I strongly believe that the focus/foci should be agreed in the department. In this example we wanted, in the maths department at SIS, to see what on the types on practices used for effective teaching in an inquiry-based learning environment are commonly used in the department and on which ones we should still focus. What teachers are better at some of the less used practices and how can they share their expertise with the other members of the department.
Feedback to the individual – though some work on walkthroughs recommend these, I am reluctant, as we want to make the walkthroughs non-threatening, non-judgmental. I use these to create a collaborative, trusty environment in the department and easy the transition to the lesson observations. However, if repeated, long-term occuring patterns occur, then these could inform the need of a ont-to-one with the teacher, followed by formal lesson observation.