Scribd
Upload
27 views15 pages

UNIT 1 Lesson Observation 2019

SBX LESSON

Uploaded by

nkele098
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
27 views15 pages

UNIT 1 Lesson Observation 2019

SBX LESSON

Uploaded by

nkele098
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 15

SCHOOL –BASED LEARNING

OBSERVATION
Unit 1

Dr OS Ndlovu 1
Mr SMB Mohlaloka
•Building: Kamelia Annex
•Office: G 15
•Email:[email protected]
•Cell: 071 325 5983

Dr OS Ndlovu 2
Lesson outcomes
•In this section we will discuss
the importance and value of
observation, not only for student
teachers, but for ALL teachers

Dr OS Ndlovu 3
The Value of Observation
• Observation is an important part of learning how to
teach.

• Classroom observation presents an opportunity to


see real-life teachers in real-life teaching situations.

• In their reflections, many of our teacher friends mention


their observations and how these observations
influence the way they plan and teach.

• This means that observation is important at every


stage of a teacher’s career
Dr OS Ndlovu 4
Class activity
Some questions:

1) What is classroom observation?


2) Why it is important for you as 1st student teacher?
3) What should observation for beginner teacher
include?
4) What things should one look for while observing?
5) Imagine that you are observing a second language
classroom. What are some the of things you might
look for? How is observing a second language
classroom different from other classrooms?
Dr OS Ndlovu 5
What is classroom observation? Why is
it important?
•Classroom observation describes the practice of sitting in
another teacher’s class to observe, learn and reflect.
Various aspects of the class can be examined, such:
as: routines, use of time, schedule, participation, teaching
strategies, management strategies, learner interest, and
much more.
•A teacher will naturally look for support on an issue that is
difficult for you, but it is often a great method of being exposed
to a new and different approach to teaching .
Dr OS Ndlovu 6
What is classroom observation? Why is it important?

• Observation is important at every stage of a teacher’s


career.

In areas of Asia,
• professional development has for a very long time
included what is known as demonstration lessons.

• A master teacher, who has perhaps prepared students


with some new strategies, invites many local
teachers into their classroom to observe,
• and following the lesson a question and answer
period takes place. Dr OS Ndlovu 7
What is classroom observation? Why is it
important?
• All the teachers involved, regardless of whether they
are master teachers or beginning teachers, have the
opportunity to dialogue together and learn from one
another

• This is a more recent trend in North America; schools


are now trying to create opportunities for teachers
to observe other teachers in their subject area,
either in their own school or in other schools.

Dr OS Ndlovu 8
What is classroom observation?
Why is it important?
• For a teacher at the beginning of their career, there are some general
issues that the teacher would need to observe and identify. The focus
would be on general pedagogic knowledge, which includes issues
such as classroom management, differentiation and instructional
strategies.
• However, with training and experience teachers would need to
progress to focus on other issues, which can be categorized as
Pedagogic Content Knowledge (PCK). In this case, the teachers would
focus on the overlap between pedagogic knowledge and content
knowledge and specifically with an interest in what takes place in an
SL classroom.
Dr OS Ndlovu 9
What is classroom observation? Why is
it important?
• For example, it would be difficult to imagine an SL classroom
without pair work activities. In other classes and other
subjects one might observe group work activities; however,
due to the linguistic content, there would be significant
differences between the interactive exercises. In other
subjects group work or pair work might be optional; but in a
language classroom they are absolutely necessary.
Furthermore, beginner SL learners require much more
structure in an activity than beginners in other courses,
because the structure increases the likelihood of success.
Dr OS Ndlovu 10
Why participate in classroom
observation?
Classroom observation can often help expose teachers to
new methods of teaching that might not have occurred to
them beforehand. It may be threatening to be subject to peer
observation since teachers might feel territorial and defensive
in their classroom and protective of their resources and ideas.
However, when it is done in a considerate and respectful
fashion, observation can be beneficial for both the observing
teacher and the teacher being observed. Below are some
benefits of observation in the classroom.

Dr OS Ndlovu 11
Benefits for the observer…
•Observe new techniques, strategies, ideas and
resources
•Gain insight into one's own strategies and techniques
•Observe student reactions from a different
perspective
•Help create a professional learning community with
the best interests of the students in mind
•Personal Professional Development and growth

Dr OS Ndlovu 12
Benefits for the observed…

•Chance to see class through someone else’ eyes


•Chance to re-evaluate the classroom from a different perspective
•Chance to receive input (suggestions, ideas, resources) from a
colleague
•Creation of a professional learning community with the best
interests of the students in mind
•Personal Professional Development and growth

Dr OS Ndlovu 13
• Best practices involves the sharing of resources, techniques and
strategies. Allowing another teacher into one’s classroom allows for
sharing between both of them; it also allows for self-reflection by all
involved. Teachers are responsible for their own growth and
development, and observation is an excellent alternative to the
traditional Professional Development seminars.

•What might you be looking for during observation?

•One of the main challenges for observation is knowing what to look


for. Some teacher education programs offer checklists for observation
but it is often difficult to find specific checklists for subject areas,
such as second language teaching.
Dr OS Ndlovu 14
Some specific things that one can look for when observing

• include how the teacher structures an activity

• what the actual instructions are and whether they are given in English
or the target language; if the teacher use synonyms for those basic
instructions, or uses the same words, and what were those words;

• does the teacher give some visual cues to accompany those


instructions; are the instructions divided into three or four steps with a
visual icon visible on the board.

• These observations can be made because you are observing a more


experienced teacher of second languages, or a teacher who is far more
aware of what it takes to structure a classroom for the success of
second language learners.
Dr OS Ndlovu 15

You might also like