http://www.peterpappas.com/2009/10/teacher-led-professional-development-eleven-reasons-why-using-classroom-walk-throughs.html
Classroom walk throughs are becoming more popular in schools these days. The idea behind walk-throughs is that firsthand classroom observations can paint a picture to inform improvement efforts. These observations typically involve looking at how well teachers are implementing a particular program or set of practices that the district or school has adopted. For example, a school principal might want to know whether teachers are able to put into practice their recent training. Read this article and give your opinion on Classroom Walk throughs.
http://www.peterpappas.com/2009/10/teacher-led-professional-development-eleven-reasons-why-using-classroom-walk-throughs.html
15 Comments
Carl Richburg
4/13/2014 01:28:35 pm
I have mixed views on classroom walkthroughs. On one hand it is very uplifting to know that your boss is taking the time out to watch you actually working in your classroom enviornment. On the other hand, that teacher hasn't been in that classroom all year and doesn't understand the dynamics of the classroom. Maybe your class doesn't react well to a teacher sitting at their desk teaching. Maybe sometimes you have to play music while the kids work in projects to get them to work? Little things like that a principal may not understand and may not be "the by the book way" to teach a class.
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Lyndsey Talbot
4/14/2014 02:32:49 am
I have mixed feelings about this as well. I do believe that walk throughs are a good thing and keep all teachers accountable for the material and manner in which they present it to their students. I recently was around of group of my friends that are all new teachers, and they had mixed feelings too. One loves it when her principal walks around and is constantly showing their face and providing support, while the other gets nervous and dreads when her principal is walking through. I think a lot of it has to do with the comfort level that the teachers feel with their own principal. Overall, I think it would be better to have the principal show their face more often than not.
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Jacqui Cappuccilli
4/15/2014 11:07:33 am
I agree with lyndsey that it does depend on the comfort level of teachers with their principals. However I also think that walk throughs are a good thing because it makes sure teachers are doing what they are suppose to. I know some people may slack off if the principal never comes around, but if they do they will make sure to get stuff done. So overall I believe walk throughs are a good thing.
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Kennedy Seifert
4/14/2014 09:56:27 am
Overall I think classroom walk throughs sound good. The biggest point I got from the article was that these walk throughs can help teachers see different teaching styles and learn how to change it up a bit. Also I like when he said that he takes the elementary level teachers into a high school classroom or vice versa. I think its great for the entire group of teachers to see each others classroom and get a small idea of the level the students are at then and what they are capable of. All of his points sound good but I am also NOT a teacher and have not been put in that position yet. I am sure my opinion might change if I were to actually have someone walk through my classroom.
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April
4/15/2014 09:34:19 am
I believe this can be a good thing. I would love to go into other classrooms and see how teachers implement different learning strategies. This would be very helpful to me. I also would welcome a walk through in my classroom and am always welcome to constructive feedback and different ideas. I believe that we are all students and that there are always things to learn and new ways to do things.
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Tyler Reece
4/15/2014 10:58:56 am
Anything that brings professionals together to learn how to perform their job more efficiently is a always a positive. This is another good method for doing such a thing. I believe this is very beneficial for both new and experienced professionals regardless of work setting.
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Brad Howell
4/16/2014 06:14:36 am
I don't always think walk through's are the best thing. There are many situations where the teacher might be on a roll with the students and they are having a good conversation back and forth. Then the head principal walks in. I know the principals do not mean to put a damper on this but it is just a reflex for students to not talk around them. I do however think it is very important for teachers to be accountable for their classrooms and they should be responsible if their students aren't learning or staying on topic. I think it is one of those necessary evil situations. Needed, but not the best thing for effective teaching.
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Travis Tompson
4/17/2014 01:25:59 am
Classroom walk-throughs sound like a very intimidating predicament, until you realize that the people sitting in and watching aren't necessarily watching what you do but more of what the students are doing. I know that when I was a student and my teacher was being observed, I liked to be in the discussion they were trying to pose for I wanted my teacher to look good. If the teacher gets good reviews, then they wont be so tense and might actually give us time to do what we wanted for behaving so well. However, if I knew that the observers were watching me and not the teacher, I might be a little more keen to keep quiet just because I would know they would be watching me. Now obviously the students wouldn't know that the visitor was watching them, so you could avoid this scenario. Yet, I do find that classroom walkthroughs could be very beneficial because it opens up the floor for discussion, for you as the teacher get to see several examples and get to compare them all together.
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James French
4/17/2014 11:00:32 am
As a clinical social worker this is something I already have had experience with. We are required to work with another therapist each semester to observe a few of their group sessions to help us learn better ways to be more effective. ultimately a walkthrough allows access to more mind power. The more brains working together the better. This allows staff to see how others may do something which in turns allows them to make changes or develop something they are already doing. With my experience so far I have seen this type of program be very successful and also helps build positive staff relationships which in turn makes a very happy working environment.
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Gino Bullock
4/20/2014 05:42:34 am
As a teacher for a few years having walkthroughs are so very important. It keeps the students grounded and it protects the teachers from allegations of abuse or negligence. When you allow walkthroughs I think it allows the parents to feel safe in the fact that the teachers are being monitored and not allowed to do whatever they want. It is absolutely necessary to have walkthroughs and recommend them.
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Kim Holifield
4/20/2014 08:11:17 am
I think doing walk throughs are great. This gives the building administrator an idea of how the class is being run. I like that the author of the article mentioned being handed keys and was on his own. I don't think this is as common now, but I can see where it would most certainly feel overwhelming to step in as a new teacher. Also the part on teacher's lounges. I have sat in and heard many discussions on "complaints about problem students, annoying parents" where, just like he mentions, the topics of discussion should be focused on positive things.
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Gary Jones
4/20/2014 12:44:49 pm
I think these CWT give good insight to teachers who might be struggling to find something new and educational for their students. Every group of kids each year is going to be different. Therefore you need to be able to provide different teaching styles. I kind of look at it like a show case for teachers you can look and see how things work out for different grade levels and different teaching styles. Plus it doesn’t make the teacher try harder knowing that their not being graded on anything.
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Shari Harrington
5/2/2014 11:21:10 am
I think classroom walk-throughs are a good idea. I like that they switch up the method of professional development because they don't separate the teachers from the students in the classroom. I think of teachers as collaborative and reflective people, so it is great to learn from one another and learn what we can do better from our colleagues.
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Dustin Ray
5/4/2014 02:08:36 am
Like many of you, I too have mixed feelings about the classroom walk throughs. I do believe that it is a good method to improve professionals whether they are new or old teachers, but some teachers take longer to adapt than others.
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Aaron Shockley
10/26/2014 11:08:11 am
I think that walk through can improve how a teacher presents the information but i think it can be a little intimidating having your boss watch you because in cases in the past most principle do not understand the process of that some teachers use to teach the information. Especially if you get a principle that is stuck in the ways that their way is the right way. Could cause the teacher to change up their teaching style to conform to the principles wishes.
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Student BlogThis blog is for class conversations for ED 514 at Central Methodist University. These post are by the students of ED 514. We invite input form other teachers about how they use technology in their classrooms. Archives
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