Jack C. Richards on Observing Teaching

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses the value of observing another teacher's class or having one's own class observed for professional development. Observing teaching provides an opportunity to gain insights into aspects such as language use, student engagement, and teaching strategies. The focus is on using observation as a tool for self-reflection and improvement rather than evaluation. The observer collects data on specific aspects of the lesson, which the teacher can later review to enhance their teaching practices. This process promotes a deeper understanding of one’s teaching through collaboration and feedback.

Takeaways

• 😀 Teachers may feel nervous about being observed due to fear of evaluation, but observation can be a tool for professional growth rather than judgment.
• 😀 Observation is an opportunity to see teaching from an external perspective, helping teachers become aware of their methods and actions.
• 😀 Teachers are often too immersed in teaching to notice every aspect of their own practice, making external observation valuable for gaining insights.
• 😀 Observation can focus on specific areas of teaching, such as language use, explanations, or student engagement during activities.
• 😀 Teachers can assign specific tasks to observers, such as evaluating how students work in groups or their use of language during activities.
• 😀 The observer's role is to gather data, not to evaluate the teacher's performance, helping to create a more objective perspective on the teaching process.
• 😀 After the lesson, teachers and observers can meet to discuss the collected data, fostering a reflective conversation about teaching practices.
• 😀 Observation helps teachers reflect on their own practices and identify areas for improvement or adjustment in their teaching style.
• 😀 By gathering information through observation, teachers can improve engagement strategies and better understand student interactions.
• 😀 Observation promotes professional development by encouraging collaboration between teachers and creating opportunities for feedback and growth.
• 😀 Teachers should view observation as a tool for personal and professional development, helping them refine their teaching techniques and connect with colleagues.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of teacher observation as discussed in the script?

The main purpose of teacher observation in the script is professional development. It provides an opportunity for teachers to gain insights into their own teaching practices by having another set of eyes observe and collect information on specific aspects of their teaching.

Why do many teachers feel uncomfortable when being observed?

Many teachers feel uncomfortable during observations because they associate it with evaluation. They worry that their teaching will be judged, either positively or negatively, which can create stress or reluctance to have observers in their classroom.

What is the difference between an observer collecting information and an evaluator judging a teacher's performance?

An observer who collects information is focused on gathering data related to specific teaching aspects, without judging the teacher’s overall performance. In contrast, an evaluator assesses the teacher’s effectiveness and may offer formal feedback or an evaluation.

How can observation contribute to a teacher's professional development?

Observation helps teachers develop a deeper understanding of their own teaching practices by providing insights into areas such as language use, explanations, student interaction, and engagement. This information can inform adjustments and improvements in their teaching approach.

What kind of tasks can be assigned to an observer during a class observation?

Tasks for an observer can include collecting data on specific teaching elements, such as how students perform group work, whether they use the target language or revert to their mother tongue, or how engaged they are with the activities.

What role does the observer play during a class observation?

The observer's role is to collect information based on the tasks assigned by the teacher. This may involve using checklists, taking notes, or following specific procedures to gather data on aspects of the class that the teacher wants to analyze.

What happens after the class observation is completed?

After the observation, the teacher and the observer meet to discuss the findings. This allows the teacher to reflect on the gathered data and gain insights that can be used to improve their teaching practices.

How can observation help teachers become more aware of their own teaching practices?

Observation helps teachers become more aware by offering an external perspective on their teaching. It highlights areas they may not notice themselves, such as the effectiveness of their explanations, student interaction, and language use.

Why is teaching described as a 'private activity' in the script?

Teaching is described as a 'private activity' because it typically occurs in the teacher’s own classroom, often without external input. Teachers are deeply involved in the process, making it difficult to step back and critically evaluate their own actions and decisions.

What is the ultimate goal of teacher observation as outlined in the transcript?

The ultimate goal of teacher observation is to enhance professional development. By using another person to gather data and provide feedback, teachers can refine their teaching practices, increase their self-awareness, and improve student engagement and learning outcomes.