Peer Observation

Peer Observations

20th February 2009

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A critical friend

Who is a critical friend?

What?What?

What is peer observation?

• Peer observation is a method of gaining feedback to improve your teaching skills.

• You and a colleague discuss your teaching and what you feel you may need some help in developing, then you take turns in sitting in on one of each other's teaching sessions.

• Afterwards, your colleague can provide some feedback on what went well in the session and where there may be room for improvements, including in any areas where you specifically requested feedback.

Advantages of peer observations

Advantages of peer observations

Why?

Advantages of peer observations

What do teachers say?

What did the teachers say?

“Peers can be the sternest critics.”

“It keeps you on your toes.”

“I didn’t realise how much I would learn from it.”

“It increases self-esteem.”

“It helps me know how to observe a class correctly.”

“There has to be a clear focus.”

Advantages of peer observation?

• New teachers gain reassurance from receiving positive feedback from a peer or mentor.

• Positive feedback gives them the confidence to try novel methods.

• Observing and offering advice benefits not only the one being observed but also the one observing.

• It’s a non-judgemental and open forum.

Possible problems

• Any observation of a lesson is going to involve judgements about what has been seen.

• A friend’s comments are unlikely to be objective.

How?

3 stage process

1.Planning (briefing)2.Observation3.Debriefing(feedback)

Stage 1. Peer briefing

• What the teacher expects the observer to do.

• What the teacher hopes to achieve.

• A clear objective.

Stage 2. The Observation

• Level• Clarity• Handouts • Audio-visual aids• Pace and timing• Interaction• Innovation

Stage 3. Giving feedback

•Be realistic•Be specific•Be sensitive•Be non-judgmental•Balance postive and negative

Stage 3. Receiving feedback

• Be explicit• Be aware• Listen• Ask for clarification

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Who?

Who?

US

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When?

When?

•Now•This year•Ongoing

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Where?

Where?

Casa ConvalescènciaIn-companyEscola de Turisme

Peer Classroom Observation