In part 1, I made the recommendation that identifying the purposes of lesson observations is vital and clarified several common purposes. I also highlighted the importance of establishing and following quality processes to enable worthwhile outcomes from observations.
Now, in part 2, I look in detail at the skills required by observers and observees at different stages of lesson observations.
Before the observation
Communicate /Listen actively
One of the main purposes of a pre-observation meeting is to establish the context. Therefore, the observee should endeavour to provide the observer with as a full a picture as possible of the learning environment. If the observer is already familiar with the school/department, then discussion can focus on the nature of the learners, their relative progress, any factors that hinder or help learning, etc. The observer can listen and ask for clarification if the observee is not clear enough or makes assumptions about the observer’s prior knowledge of the situation.
Design suitable observation instruments
For appraisal, there is likely to be a standard observation form, but for professional development and action research, the observer and observee can work together to narrow down a focus and design an observation instrument accordingly.
Lessons are complex events and there are many possible aspects that can be observed. Here are some examples:
- Planning and preparation
- Learning outcomes – transparent and achieved?
- Effectiveness of learning materials
- Learning-teaching strategies
- Classroom dynamics
- Behaviour management
- Motivation of students
- Questioning skills
- Interaction patterns
For example, if the observee was concerned about student participation and the balance between teacher talking time and student talking time, then a simple instrument to quantify participation could be designed. The observer could be provided with the class seating plan, and, when observing, tick the teacher and students’ names on each occasion that they made a contribution to a class discussion.
Online there are many sources of observation instruments, which can be used as they are, or adapted to circumstances. There also examples in Brown, Jones and Rawnsley (referenced in Part 1 of this guide) and Scrivener (2005), amongst other published guides to teaching.
During the observation
The observee will be busy teaching (and reflecting in action), of course, so the skills I list here are for observers.
Remember what to record
The observer should keep in mind the agreed foci. It is easy to become distracted and start commenting on other aspects of the lesson. I think each observer has preconceived notions of “good teaching” and it is tempting to focus on what the observer considers important rather than what was agreed before the observation. For example, it is a pet hate of mine, as an observer, when teachers omit to check comprehension of concepts before proceeding to practice tasks. However, if the agreed focus is something else, then I need to ignore that perceived failing.
Write two kinds of notes
When the observer makes notes about what takes place during the lesson, then the notes can be of two varieties. Firstly, notes that are a “…non-judgmental description of classroom events…” (Gebhard, 1999). I would recommend using past simple tense when writing such narrative notes, e.g. ‘The teacher gave clear verbal instructions for the learning task together with a quick demonstration.’ If the observation is for research or professional development, arguably narrative notes are sufficient. However, if appraisal is required, then alongside narrative notes the observer can write evaluative comments, e.g. ‘Most learners understood the learning task from the teacher’s explanation and demonstration, but two groups started off doing the task in the wrong way, implying that the teacher had needed to check instructions.’
Be as unobtrusive as possible
Observers commonly sit outside the line of sight of most of the students. This is done to reduce distraction and the effect of the observer being present (known as the Hawthorne Effect). The observer can select a seat to view the outcomes of the observee’s actions and student activity can be seen and heard well. Probably, the best position will be indicated by the focus of the observation.
Sometimes, the observer may need to stand up and walk around to see the work that students are doing, or move closer to be able to monitor a particular group. It is a good idea to make sure that students are prepared for this eventuality before the lesson. A simple technique to reduce the inhibitions students may feel is for the observer to look at one group while really listening to another group.
I would also recommend that observers and observees agree beforehand not to make eye contact during the lesson, so as not to influence the teacher’s confidence. Observers should also be mindful of their facial expressions in case the lecturer/teacher does look their way.
After the observation
At the post-observation meeting, both observers and observees will need to exercise numerous skills to get the maximum benefit from the experience, especially in formal appraisal situations:
- Building rapport and developing trust
- Active listening
- Neutral questioning to elicit observees’ uninfluenced views on their lessons
- Giving and receiving constructive criticism calmly and professionally
- Counselling and conflict management
Specifically, observers should:
- be accepting of alternative teaching strategies as long as learning objectives are met successfully
- focus on actions and results of actions (rather than character traits)
- be as specific with praise as they are with criticism, and support opinions with evidence
- use concrete vocabulary when describing what was observed
- comment only on behaviours that can be changed
- ask questions that provoke reflection, but not leading or loaded questions
- suggest concrete action points for future development
Meanwhile, observees need to:
- give an honest and balanced self-evaluation
- support the self-evaluation with evidence
- be open to alternative strategies suggested by the observer
- use the observer as a resource to plan future development in a practical, concrete way
References
Borich, G. D. (1994). Observation skills for effective teaching. New York : Merrill.
Brown, S., Jones, G. & Rawnsley, S. (Eds) Observing Teaching SEDA Paper 79
(Birmingham, Staff and Educational Development Association): 19–22.
Cowan, J. (1998). On becoming an innovative university teacher. Buckingham, UK : SRHE and Open University Press.
Gebhard, J.G. (1999). ‘Seeing Teaching Differently Through Observation’, in Gebhard, J.G. & Oprandy, R. (eds), 1999, Language Teaching Awareness, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Higher Education Academy Resource Pages on Peer Observation of Teaching: http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/detail/subjects/escalate/1043_Peer_Observation_of_Teaching
Montgomery, D. (2002). Helping teachers develop through classroom observation. London : David Fulton.
Schön, D. A. (1983). The reflective practitioner : How professionals think in action. New York : Basic Book.
Scrivener, J. (2005). Learning teaching: A guidebook for English language teachers. Macmillan ELT.
Jackdaw Learning & Teaching 