A Guarantee to Bring Improvement

Have we ever thought about this question, I would like to raise this point to be ponder, “what is the purpose of the classroom observation? If it is informal visit to a classroom, or if we are guest and want to see the classes or we are donors and want to investigate the infra structure etc then certainly we would get in and out very quickly. But if we are teachers and are engaged in a process of learning then our respond would be entirely different.

If it is agreed between observer and observee” then also there are other points to be determine for instance, whether the teacher initiated the process of observation by suggesting his/her name voluntarily or it is enforced on him/her. Does s/he willingly accept the visitor in the classroom then s/he must have thought about both positive and negative (improvement) areas to be highlighted by the visitor or observer. Thus all would be based upon the mature relations with each other, purpose of the observation and the nit would enable us to determine the outcome of the observation.

In my professional career as teacher and then teacher educator, I have had many opportunities to be observed and then observe others. Many a times it was institutional policy, control and enforcement but there were quite a few times when new teachers invited me to become their critical partners and further to suggest them how to be more effective in various aspects such as handling of content knowledge, pedagogical skills, time and resource management, classroom management etc.

Furthermore, there are many other informal ways to provide feedback to teachers for instance:

• Sharing opinions in an informal ways projecting oneself at his/her place using structure like, “if I was at your place, I would have…..’.
• Invite him/her for observation of mine or another teacher’s class and discuss wanted and unwanted behaviour and its impact on students learning
• Audio or video recording of the taught lesson could be analyzed either individually
• (there s/he get more time to reflect) or together
• Engage him/her in an open discussion on taught plan and its execution plan etc
• Modelling and/or peer coaching could be another way to invite comments

Taking down observation notes is a skill that matures with time in the life of a teacher or teacher educator. In my career I have seen my self growing in that skill; initially I used to take down what is good or bad in lesson, then gradually I noted down how the objective/s of the lesson is achieved. In the later years teacher educator I started observing a lesson with two major themes focusing “what was teaching saying?” and “what were students saying? Then I fine tuned my own observation by linking teachers” instructions, explanation and discussion points with students’ learning and outcome. I used to highlight my analysis (positive and areas to be improved) about each lesson.

Classroom observation and feedback process becomes demoralizing when the element of force direct the process, when the mutual coordination and trust building seems impossible due to misunderstanding. This culture creates bossy attitude among the observers which cause humiliation and lack of trust and eventually foster hatred, jealousy and unwillingness to work. For not to create such a condition where colleagues would play ruler and subordinate role, it is necessary to understand and practice diversity of perspectives; to respect other ideas and avoid unnecessary imposition on fresh teacher rather it is suggested to, inspire them by modelling one’s role appropriately when unconsciously s/he learns and adapt where necessary.

Teaching leads to inspiring other either young people or adult, it is a voluntary process and no one can dumb his/her ideas on others’ head thus it is suggested to keep this (classroom observation and giving feedback) process lively when both the partners show willingness to share and create new knowledge.

Further it is suggested to create friendly bond between observer and observee’ by co-planning, peer coaching as one cannot be perfect in knowledge therefore it is to remind

all those who are TEACHER EDUCATOR, to become nurture and not perfectionist; and avoid creating similar model as you are by imposition and enforcement