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Eltham High School

Peer Observation

+Purpose

A peer observation process is designed to support the continual improvement of learning and teaching practices through mutual sharing of professional expertise.

+Introduction

Method for gathering data on teaching practice

Involves a colleague observing learning and teaching on a previously agreed area of practice

Peer observation involves a reciprocal arrangement of observation

+The Process

1. Establish a purpose for the observation.

2. Identify a colleague and approach them to be involved in mutual observation.

3. Set up a pre-observation meeting to: establish your purpose and your colleague’s purpose for the observations, set protocols and times for the observations and post-observations meeting.

4. Complete Peer Observation Slip 2010 and submit to the PD Coordinator.

5. Complete the Peer Observation Form and provide this to your colleague.

+Pre-observation Guidelines

The purpose of the observation.

Confidentiality.

The context of the observation.

Your colleague’s role during the classroom visit. Do you want him/her simply to observe or are you happy for him/her to ask you questions?

+Pre-observation Guidelines

Your colleague’s position in the classroom. Where will he/she sit?

Your colleagues’ interactions with students. Will he/she ask the students questions?

The preferred form of the data and feedback.

The timing of the post-observation meeting.

+Naomi Edress Pre-Observation Conversation with George Franklin

+Observation

Follow the guidelines that have been agreed in the pre-observation meeting

When observing the lesson ensure your observations contain no-value judgments – avoid positive and negative judgments

Observe what the teacher is doing and saying and what the students are doing and saying

+Naomi Edrees ObsevationGeorge Franklin Observer

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+Observation Task

Observe the following clip taken from Teacher TV.

The pre-observation conversation has taken place between you and Ed Cuthbertson a math teacher Lanyon High School.

Ed has asked you to observe his teaching and collect some data on his use of visual aids to help students understand the content he is teaching.

Please use the peer observation form to observe Ed teaching.

+Teacher TV- Ed Cuthbertson

+Feedback on data

Working with a colleague discuss the observations and the data you collected about Ed’s class.

+Post-observation feedback

When giving feedback as part of a peer observation activity:-

Avoid the temptation to discuss what you would have done in a similar learning and teaching situation.

Be specific – refer to examples rather than generalities.

Focus your comments on what the teacher was doing and saying, and what the students were doing and saying

+Receiving Feedback

Identify the specific areas for feedback before the classroom visit.

Be open – remember that the observations are for your own use.

Don't interrupt your colleague before he or she has finished speaking.

Be aware of your own reactions to what your colleague is saying.

Ask questions or ask for specific examples if you're not clear on what your colleague is saying.

Take time to reflect afterwards on what your colleague has said.

Identify those areas of the feedback that you can act on and commit to a plan for following up.

+What do you do with the data?

Professional Conversation with KLA members

Further/Follow-up Observations

Access Teaching and Learning Coach

Access Professional Reading

Access Professional Development

Identify and Implement other Strategies

Professional Conversation with P&D Group

+Observation forms

Peer observation forms can be found:

I: shared/STAFF/General/PD/Peer Observation

Or from Christine Andrews or the Teaching & Learning Coaches