An ongoing professional development through peer observation
Well there has always been a mixed feeling among teachers hearing the term ‘Observation’ of class session. For some it’s like an opportunity to showcase some thing innovative they wanted to try. While some teachers may think ‘Observation -Oh not again!!!’.
Is observation a ritual? One of a kind, for which we do not know why it is done and what is the actual purpose of it. Teachers think people who observe us already have prejudiced notions and it’s not going to do any thing good for me.There is a general feeling that we are under scanner when someone steps in to our class to observe the session.
Hmm…There is always a flip slide to every thing. And if there is any good method by which teachers can keep raising their bar when it comes their professional growth, one of the easier and effective way is through peer observation and reflection on practice post the observation.
If it’s done by your colleague in a congenial way…that’s the best thing that can happen to a teacher.Keeping in mind the prime stake holder of education being The Children,do not hesitate to have your class getting observed.
How will the observer know my subject area?
What if the observer doesn’t know the children’s learning level in my class? (grade level kids, below grade level and above grade level kids)
What if children do not perform that day? Will it affect my reputation? These are some of the questions that may crop up in your mind.
Well one fact that as teachers we all may agree up on…We cannot judge a child with performance in one test or one activity isn’t it?
Similarly even a peer observation should not be done as one day affair that it ends there on the same day. Be practical when you plan for it.
Peer observation should keep the teacher who is observed at the prime position (just like we think of children while preparing assessment) and her growth as an important factor.
Discuss with you peer what needs to be observed in your class.
Is it your time management skill, your pace and modulation during delivery, your innovative activity and whether it was purposeful, is it your class managing skill or is it the content that you share to children?It could even be your ‘Questioning skill’ as I discussed in my previous blog. Believe me there are many other trivial things that matter the most in a classroom transaction.
To proceed with peer observation next…
Have a pre-observation discussion to brief the observer about your children, your lesson plan and other details such as date and time of session.
If need be, create your own feedback form customized for your session where there is place for observer to mention the best part of your session and areas for improvement.
Post the session have a discussion and try to reflect on that by changing whatever needs to be done in your future classes. The observer and the ‘teacher being observed’ can look out for strategies that might make things better in class. The observer being your peer will have more understanding of your style of teaching, the children you are handling and knows your potential too.
Do invite the same observer for few more visits (at least two in the same month) so that you are being observed at different days for better results.
Often, what we learn during our PDP (Professional Development plan) sessions every year at the beginning of academic year do not translate in our practices or even if it is practiced we do not measure its effectiveness. In such case I personally think, having a peer observe your class on those techniques (that you willingly picked up in your workshop) will benefit the teacher to the maximum.
According to me peer observation can be done in two cases:-
- An experienced teacher observing a novice
- An experienced colleague observing another experienced colleague
In both cases, it has to be teacher centric and a ‘ritual’ that reflects positive mindset in teachers.
Prime aspect for ‘peer observation’ is that,
It need not be used as teacher evaluation technique but as a boon for professional growth.
So, when are you inviting your colleague to observe your session?
The Teacher Connections 