Lesson observation is not as daunting as it may seem. The most important thing is to make sure the feedback you get is both honest and constructive. It should be geared towards helping you improve as a teacher and not to put you down. The process is partly an interaction between the observed and the observer and preparation for this should take place well in advance.
Each lesson must be treated by the teacher as though it's being observed. All lessons should be planned and prepared. By preparing as you would when being observed you will always be prepared for when you are eventually observed. You'll also not be too fazed by the whole process when it eventually comes about.
It's vital to treat the whole procedure as if it were like any normal day. If you're nervous or too self conscious about the process then you probably will not perform your best. To this end, make sure you don't try to put on a show of things. Just be the same as you are every day and the feedback will be far more valuable because it will reflect the real you.
If you're an assessor then to make things interesting you may wish to observe the reactions of the children more than the teacher. It might be worth noting how often they smile or laugh and what their body language is telling you. A successful teacher will often do less talking and allow the students to have their say, making the class more engaging.
Although some will think being assessed is quite nerve-wracking, the thing to remember is that it's all part of a process of learning. Observers will most likely make a note of what makes certain teachers able to command the respect and attention of the class than others. This helps them give feedback to those that perhaps are not as commanding in the classroom.
Those professionals that have a little more dedication may wish to find out if their observation will be recorded. If so then it might help to have a recording for yourself. The same can be said for the feedback session with the observer. If this can be recorded too then you'll have valuable insight in how to improve before the next observation.
Feedback from students is an important way of learning what they think. They are, in essence, your customers and as such should be asked what they like about the lessons and what they do not like. Perhaps they'll come up with ways in which to improve things.
The thing to remember when it comes to lesson observation is that the teacher and the observer are a team. If there is some way of being able to have the observer take part in lessons that might make the teacher feel at ease. You may also wish to share your goals and objectives with the observer before the process begins.
Each lesson must be treated by the teacher as though it's being observed. All lessons should be planned and prepared. By preparing as you would when being observed you will always be prepared for when you are eventually observed. You'll also not be too fazed by the whole process when it eventually comes about.
It's vital to treat the whole procedure as if it were like any normal day. If you're nervous or too self conscious about the process then you probably will not perform your best. To this end, make sure you don't try to put on a show of things. Just be the same as you are every day and the feedback will be far more valuable because it will reflect the real you.
If you're an assessor then to make things interesting you may wish to observe the reactions of the children more than the teacher. It might be worth noting how often they smile or laugh and what their body language is telling you. A successful teacher will often do less talking and allow the students to have their say, making the class more engaging.
Although some will think being assessed is quite nerve-wracking, the thing to remember is that it's all part of a process of learning. Observers will most likely make a note of what makes certain teachers able to command the respect and attention of the class than others. This helps them give feedback to those that perhaps are not as commanding in the classroom.
Those professionals that have a little more dedication may wish to find out if their observation will be recorded. If so then it might help to have a recording for yourself. The same can be said for the feedback session with the observer. If this can be recorded too then you'll have valuable insight in how to improve before the next observation.
Feedback from students is an important way of learning what they think. They are, in essence, your customers and as such should be asked what they like about the lessons and what they do not like. Perhaps they'll come up with ways in which to improve things.
The thing to remember when it comes to lesson observation is that the teacher and the observer are a team. If there is some way of being able to have the observer take part in lessons that might make the teacher feel at ease. You may also wish to share your goals and objectives with the observer before the process begins.
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