PDQ (Professional Development QuickTips)
Classroom Observations
Category:
Supporting Teachers
Tip:
Mentors or coaches can use the Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) model when they work with teachers in their classrooms. New teachers are given support to examine, reflect on, and improve their teaching practice.
- Collect evidence during classroom observations. (video, digital images, notes, metaphors, drawings)
- Record without judging what actually happened in the classroom.
- Review evidence to develop a plan that targets specific areas for improvement.
- Provide opportunities for the teacher to observe their students in a similar manner as the mentor observed them.
- Use what they found to modify how they teach.
There are times when a teacher believes that he or she is reaching all the students when in reality, the mentor sees that several of the students are off-task. Teachers have used video as an observation tool, but it is a good idea to work with a mentor, coach, or another colleague to help them reflect on what they are viewing.
Submitted by:
Barbara Bray
Next Tip:
Using Data to Drive Professional Development
PDQ Coordinator: Barbara Bray, President, My eCoach
|
