Best Way to Prepare for an Observation Session
New teachers have to be observed to pass their QTS and NQT, but how about when the experienced teacher being observed by a student or professional is you?
Teacher observations are important as they allow for opportunities to:
- Identify strengths and weaknesses in an individual’s teaching style.
- Help prepare for external observations and teaching assessments.
- Make formal judgements about teaching ability and quality.
- Self-assess teaching ability and address problem areas.
Taking a keen interest in your own and others’ teaching will help you to expand your skills, and assist colleagues to expand theirs.
Be aware: never allow yourself to fall into complacency, or even worse, fool yourself into believing that after 20 years of teaching you can’t possibly learn anything new. There will always be new styles and techniques to pick up on and adopt into your own teaching methodology.
Preparing for an observation
The following are key areas an observer will be looking for. You can ensure you have a successful observation session by taking some time to consider these points yourself.
- Are your learning aims and objectives clear?
- Do you have a good relationship with your students – do they respond well to you?
- Are you confident in your teaching and subject knowledge?
- Have you done adequate planning and organization for the lesson?
- Have you organized any additional learning materials to use in this session?
- Is your teaching and learning methodology appropriate?
- Is your delivery and pace appropriate?
- Do you actively encourage your students to learn and participate?
- Are you making good use of your physical surroundings and resources?
- Do you constantly and consistently monitor and assess your class?
Always make sure you get feedback from your observer, and discuss how you thought it went. A pair of outside eyes may pick up on areas you have missed, or perhaps they may have some useful criticism to help you improve.
Remember: never get defensive or feel upset about a poor observation; the most important thing is that you use the feedback to improve and assess.
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