Lesson: Lesson observation (video recording or tracking of the course)

Summary of Lesson Observation Key Points

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  The most important school-based factor in student achievement is teaching quality.
  
  
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  Classroom observations underpin great professional learning experiences. Seeing what’s happening in the classroom makes self-reflection, coaching, mentoring and sharing practice more effective. 
  
  
  
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  But, the traditional observation process is focused on performance evaluation, not development. 70% of teachers say that this doesn’t give them the meaningful and actionable feedback they need to grow. 
  
  
  
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  ACTION: Make a distinction between observation as part of an accountability framework, and for professional development. 
  
  
  
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  ACTION: Assess the state of play of lesson observation in your school. We’ve suggested questions to consider below. 
  
  
  
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  ACTION: Shift your observation culture. We’ve shared 10 tips below. Here are three to get you started: 
  
  
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    Create a shared vision for T&L
    
    
    
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    Encourage peer observations
    
    
    
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    Focus on specifics rather than generalisations 
    
    
    
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  ACTION: Shift feedback from critique to collaborative conversation (read on for advice on how to do this)
  
  
  
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  ACTION: Use video to save time and make observations more flexible. Empower teachers to share short clips of their choosing with peers for discussion. 
  
  
  

Why is lesson observation so important?

The quality of teaching matters most

The most important school-based factor in student achievement is teaching quality. 
It’s 2-3 times more important than any other school factor (e.g. leadership, teacher collaboration or the curriculum).
The variation in student achievement resulting from teaching quality is as high as 20%.
Instructional leaders, policy makers, and researchers are asking: what determines teacher effectiveness? And what are the best ways to improve it?