Why is classroom observations important

Teaching might seem like a singular responsibility, but if we want to ensure the success of our students, we have to understand that it is a team sport.

Contact me directly at georgecouros gmail. Skip to content. George Couros. The Importance of Classroom Observations. Not only that, classroom observation encourages colleagues to collaborate to improve teacher practice and student learning.

Feedback from classroom observations is an effective way for providing teachers with the information they need about their classroom behavior, and it can help them in their continuous professional development CPD. This paper is based upon a practical approach to professional development among teachers through classroom observation.

Since we, as teachers, are not born with innate teaching abilities, in fact, we learn and develop gradually with the help of some practical approaches, and classroom observation is a well-known powerful practical approach in primary and higher education to help teachers improve their teaching quality.

This article mainly highlights the importance of classroom observation and its guidelines adapted from Observing Classes-CETaL. Further, it emphasizes the limitations of classroom observation, and suggests the ways to carry it out effectively based upon Observing Classes CETaL Model. McDonough, J. Materials and methods in ELT: A teacher's guide. Osten, M. Handouts and articles on classroom observation, peer coaching, and monitoring. Ncsall Mentor Teacher Group Guide, Shin, J.

Cengage Learning. Give feedback promptly. What do you look for in a teacher observation? Provide All Necessary Documentation. Talk Through The Lesson. Review The Same Day. Provide A Criticism Sandwich.

Further Reading. Arrange Peer Observations. What are the 4 types of observation? There are four types of observational research you can do, ranging from detached observation with no participation on your part complete observer to immersing yourself completely in the environment complete participant.

Complete Observer. Observer as Participant. Participant as Observer. Complete Participant. How do you analyze classroom observation? Step 1: Summarize what was observed. Step 3: Analyze what was observed and its impact on student learning. What are the objectives of observation? Objective observation. When you're observing what a child is doing you need to be objective. This means that you need to describe exactly what is happening without making assumptions about why they are occurring.

To be an objective observer, you need to be unbiased and avoid stereotypes. What is observation in teaching and learning? Both the teacher being observed and the observer having significant roles before, during, and after the observation process. What is an advantage of an observation? Advantages of Observation 1. Very direct method for collecting data or information — best for the study of human behavior.