Think Opportunity, Not Obligation: What is an instructional round? Describe the last time you learned something from a teacher in your building. How could instructional rounds improve teaching and learning at your school? Why may some teachers resist this process? How could such barriers be removed?
Think Opportunity, Not Obligation: What is an instructional round? Describe the last time you learned something from a teacher in your building. How could instructional rounds improve teaching and learning at your school? Why may some teachers resist this process? How could such barriers be removed?
ReplyDeleteAn instructional round is when teachers collaborate with each other and learn from each other through those visits and visiting each others room to observe their teaching. We do quite a bit of collaboration during teacher inservice, but we don't go into other classrooms. I feel that is a great idea to be able to view others in their teaching environment. I feel that the last time I learned something from someone in my building was from the two teachers across the hall. One has helped me with some different planning and discipline and the other in her organization skills and planning. I would really like to branch outside of my school and visit another school's music teacher. I feel some teachers would resist this idea as they feel self-conscious or embarrassed, shy, etc. I know I do not like it when there is an adult in the room during my teaching. I get very self-conscious about my teaching and feel like I am/will be judged. I suppose if I would have faith in myself and tell myself it is about the students and not me that we would become more comfortable with the thought of being observed. Also using these moments as a learning process would help us out!
ReplyDeleteInstructional rounds are experiences in which teachers share ideas through observations and discussions. It allows teachers to gain new ideas but also collaborate and work together on solutions or new ideas. I find that there are many teachers in my building doing amazing work!! Yet, I cannot see them as I am teaching at that same time. When we open our doors to observations and discussions we truly become one within the school.
Teachers are resistant to the process and it makes them vulnerable to others. Having someone coming and see what they are doing can be stressful or seen as a way of judging...or simply some teachers are just set in their ways.
If we made it part of our growth rubric and administration covered our classes to allow this opportunity, I think staff would be more open to the idea. We also need it to be presented a s a way to help the school grow and be our best.
An instructional round is when teachers collaborate and share ideas. This can be in a meeting or it can be as teachers observe in each other's classrooms. In my school we would have the opportunity to observe another teacher that taught the same subject as us. This allowed me to see another perspective on how instruction is delivered with the same material I have. I was able to see how the students responded to it and was able to take ideas away to then use in my classroom. I think as teachers we are constantly "trying or incorporating" new ways and ideas to instruct material and keep student engaged. This is a process that should never stop. I don't think we as teachers can ever be exposed or learn too many ways to try in our own classrooms, especially with different students every year that have different interests. I think it is important to have "your ways" but also be willing to adjust to your students needs and interests to make learning fun and engaging.
ReplyDeleteI think there are new teachers who might resist this just for the simple fact that it can be overwhelming in what concepts or ideas to incorporate and which ones to save for a later time. I can also see it where more seasoned teachers struggled with this idea because some of them are stuck in their ways and have the thinking that their ways have worked for X amount of years and so why change it now. I think the biggest way to ensure these barriers are removed is having administration use it as part of their walk throughs and observations ensuring all teachers are able to have time to do instructional rounds and have time for reflection. It would need to be part of their evaluation each year and having to incorporate and try something new each year. This doesn't mean the teacher needs to stick with whatever they tried, but I think there should be at least some type of an attempt to incorporate something new in each room and see what it could do!
An instructional round is a process where educators have the opportunity to learn from one another, observe one another’s classrooms and share insights about teaching and learning. The goal is to collaborate, exchange strategies, and gain new perspectives that can improve how we do things as educators, our instructional methods and how we understand students. It’s not just about watching and seeing, it’s about learning from each other and applying what works with students in our specific realm.
ReplyDeleteThis looks a little different for School Counselors, but the idea of course is still applicable. I feel like I am continually learning from my peers. On a daily basis we consult and collaborate with one another to do what is in the best interest of our students. We team weekly with our building level School Counselors and meet as a district counseling team monthly. This is an incredibly valuable opportunity and time for us to continually learn from one another. I would love to be able to expand this even further by visiting School Counselors in other schools to see their approaches and student responses.
Instructional rounds could improve School Counseling and learning at our school by creating opportunities for our team to see varied methods in action, discuss what’s effective, and bring new strategies back to our practices. They would also help foster a culture of collaboration, where School Counseling becomes less isolated and more about collective growth as a team.
Some School Counselors may resist instructional rounds because being observed can feel intimidating or make them self-conscious, especially in some of the more particularly confidential situations of personal nature. Others may be hesitant because they are set in their ways or worry about change in their practices. To overcome these barriers, administration could schedule dedicated time for rounds, cover classrooms during observations, and frame the process as a growth opportunity rather than an evaluation. Emphasizing that the focus is on student learning, not School Counselor performance, and encouraging reflection after each round can help build comfort and buy-in. Integrating these experiences into professional development ensures everyone has the chance to benefit and continually improve, keeping instruction fresh and responsive to our students’ needs.
An instructional round is a process in which staff members are visiting other classrooms for the purpose of collaborative learning, sharing of ideas, and observing another classroom. It is about learning what is working with students and learning how to apply that in your own fashion. This provides the ability to continually learn and be willing to adjust to the students.
ReplyDeleteI think some people resist this type of collaboration as they are set in their ways, feel as though they are being evaluated by another staff member, feel they may be judged by the observer, feel their plates are already filled with planning and grading or tasks that continue to be added to a day with nothing being taken away.
I think this collaborative effort can help everyone. Younger staff can learn from the veteran staff and vice versa. The leadership could set time for the collaborative time to occur. Maybe setting up a calendar at the beginning of the year with times to sign up for a visit and providing room coverage for the teachers. I think with this needs to be a processessing and reflection time also set aside with noting what strategy used was beneficial. I think it is important that grade level teachers get a chance to work and plan together, too. Often times people can feel isolated even when on a team so I think it is also important for teams to talk things through, too. If teachers are in need of renewal hours for their certificate, one could partner with a local college/university to offer credits.
Instructional rounds are a professional learning tool that connects teacher practice to student performance. This allows educators to learn from one another. Being a sub allows me to observe many teachers during a school week! This is my most favorite part. All teachers are so different in their own way, but yet all the same. I have the privilege to observe student engagement, classroom management, and instructional techniques in all different levels (elementary, middle, and high). How can they improve schools? It's a way to work together to improve student instruction. Why would some resist? Change can be a particularly difficult process. Some teachers may see it as a loss of control. Remove barriers by leaving wiggle room for teachers to make choices where they see needed. Teachers may fear the unknown. Barrier removal- create change options with clear, simple steps for easy adjustment. Teachers may also resist using the "this is the way I've always done it..." Remove barrier- provide evidence of improvements and maintain dignity by incorporating older methods with newer methods.
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