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EffectiveTeaching: Peer Observation

Developed by Olga Boltneva.

Professional development — An on-going effort and learning process undertaken by individuals (teachers) to improve their teaching and other professional skills

Effectiveness — Degree to which objectives are achieved and the extent to which targeted problems are resolved.

PORTRAIT OF AN EFFECTIVE TEACHER

Personal qualities: humor, flexibility, dependability, empathy, curiosity, friendliness, leadership, active listening, peacemaking, positive attitude, fairness, consistency, self-discipline
Classroom organization: self-access corner, readers’ corner, U or 4desks arrangement, students’ works displays, posters, artifacts, background music.
Teaching techniques: ICT, creative and critical thinking, problem solving, questioning, task-based learning, student-centeredness, collaborating through pair/group/team work, constructive discipline through teambuilding.
Teaching style: well-paced, motivational, effective time and teacher talk management, student-friendly, informal, deep mastery of the subject taught.
Life-long learner: reflective teaching practice through journals, portfolios; doing self-evaluation checklists, peer observation (formative, summative)

Peer observation — Teachers observing each other’s classes in order to improve their teaching ability and get new ideas about teaching.

Summative observation — An observation to evaluate teachers for administrative purpose such as employment, salary, pay rises, promotion, etc.

Formative observation — Teachers observing each other to help improve their teaching and to help them develop professionally.

Observation instruments — Guides, checklists, or other forms, used during the observation process in order to have a reliable, systematic approach to observation.

Debriefing — Getting information about an observation shortly after it is completed.

DISCUSSION

Have you ever been observed or observing?
What were the relationship with the observer/observed: a peer, a supervisor, a mentor, a student teacher, a parent, etc?
What was done with the information of the observation?
In what ways it was a positive or negative experience?
What have you learned from this experience?