Observing The Observation: Towards A Reflective Classroom Peer Observation

Towards a Reflective Classroom Peer

Observation

Badre Abdeslam TESOL Conference 2008 Morocco 1

REFLECTION…??REFLECTION…??

• Active persistent and careful consideration

• Reflection-in-action(J. Dewey, 1987)

2Badre Abdeslam TESOL

Conference 2008 Morocco

PEER-OBSERVATION IS ACTUALLY …PEER-OBSERVATION IS ACTUALLY …

“…when a teacher is observed by a fellow teacher

rather than a senior. The person who observed then

gives some feedback, which could be anywhere from a

simple "Thanks, I thought it was great" to written feedback based on the

observation task..”



WHAT OBSERVATION SHOULD NOT BEWHAT OBSERVATION SHOULD NOT BE

Big deal of a show that includes all types of

fancy cut-outs and laminated visual aids



TYPES OF TYPES OF OBSERVATIONOBSERVATION

1. Regular Observation

2. Peer Observation

3. Three-way observation



FORMATIVEFORMATIVE

IMPROVING TEACHERS’ TEACHING TOOLSIMPROVING TEACHERS’ TEACHING TOOLS

PROMOTING COOPERATIVE TEACHING ENVIRONMENTPROMOTING COOPERATIVE TEACHING ENVIRONMENT

SUMMATIVESUMMATIVE

EVALUATING TEACHING EFFECTIVENESS EVALUATING TEACHING EFFECTIVENESS

USED FOR MERIT, AND/OR PROMOTIONUSED FOR MERIT, AND/OR PROMOTION

REMEMBERREMEMBER! !

BOTH ARE BASED ON THE SAME INSTRUMENTSBOTH ARE BASED ON THE SAME INSTRUMENTS

GAINS DEPENDENT ON OUR PHILOSOPHY OF TEACHINGGAINS DEPENDENT ON OUR PHILOSOPHY OF TEACHING

6

PURPOSE OF CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONSPURPOSE OF CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS

Badre Abdeslam TESOL Conference 2008 Morocco

TRADITIONAL VIEW OF OBSERVATIONTRADITIONAL VIEW OF OBSERVATION

Acquiring teaching skills’ depends on the mastery of specific types of observable behaviors

•Focuses on a “how to” dimension



REPERTOIRE OF OBSERVABLE REPERTOIRE OF OBSERVABLE BEHAVIORS BEHAVIORS

o How the teacher starts and ends a lesson

o How the teacher allots times within a lesson

o How the teacher assigns tasks to students

o How the teacher organizes Learning groups

o How the teacher monitors students on-task

o How the teacher asks questions

o How the teacher reinforces students’ answers



REFLECTIVE OBSERVATION REFLECTIVE OBSERVATION



Advantages of Peer Observation Advantages of Peer Observation

Both observer and observed may improve teaching ability

New ideas and perspectives about teaching from colleagues

Teachers might take feedback better if it comes from other teachers

Boosting a teacher's confidenceBoth parties develop deeper

awareness of the teaching process



Disadvantages of Disadvantages of Observation Observation

Possible bias relating to the observer's own beliefs about teaching

May not be a valid method for summative evaluation

Seniors might think they know better than the observed teacher

The feedback might not be useful

Students may think that something is wrong with their teacher



PHASES OF OBSERVATION:PHASES OF OBSERVATION:1. PRE-OBSERVATION 1. PRE-OBSERVATION CONFERENCECONFERENCE

Ice-breaking “chatting”

Reviewing the observed teacher’s teaching plan including:

• Time & Level • Lesson plan• Lesson objectives & goal• Strategies/Methodology, & Assessment.



Observing the observation @ the ALC-Observing the observation @ the ALC-RabatRabat

with Dr. Rachida GHAZALI and Prf. Zenib Adams with Dr. Rachida GHAZALI and Prf. Zenib Adams



HOW GOOD AN OBSERVER HOW GOOD AN OBSERVER YOU ARE???YOU ARE???

Dr. Rachida has mentioned 5 criteria she focuses on while observing, could you mention three aspects?

what are the two unwelcomed characteristics in teaching style teachers should avoid?



WHILE-OBSERVING PHASEWHILE-OBSERVING PHASE

•Organization of the lesson

•Time management

•Students’ performance on tasks

•Time on task

•Teacher’s questions & students’ responses

•Teacher’s explanation

•Teacher’s action zone

•Students’ performance during pair/group-work activities

•Classroom interaction.

•Use of textbook:







POST-OBSERVATION POST-OBSERVATION

CONFERENCE IS CONFERENCE IS

NOT DOOMSDAY NOT DOOMSDAY

Post-observation Phase



It is meant to be a session It is meant to be a session for data presentation & for data presentation & Analysis where the “how to” Analysis where the “how to” dimension is questioned & dimension is questioned & justified for the sake of justified for the sake of understanding, reinforcing understanding, reinforcing and suggestingand suggesting



Post-Observation Post-Observation impressionsimpressions



Peer Observation GuidelinesPeer Observation Guidelines

An effective observation requires an observation instrument designed to accurately and reliably portray the classroom environment

Schedule this conference within a week of the observation. The observer should arrive at least 10 minutes before class. "Walking

into class late is poor practice and inconsiderate" The observer can be briefly introduced to the students, with an equally

brief explanation of why the observer is present. Then move on The observer are not to ask questions or participate in activities during

class; such behaviour can detract from and invalidate the observations

Review results from the completed Classroom Observation Instruments Begin the conference with a positive comment (i.e., "I really enjoyed

your class..."). Provide honest, constructive feedback



Thanks for observing!Thanks for observing!

[email protected]@gmail.com



Education

Observing The Observation: Towards A Reflective Classroom Peer Observation