Job Discussion Forums

[johnslat]

Another thread on this forum deals with teacher observations. The question has arisen - If you have been observed, did the person observing your teaching have specialized training in observation.

Well, actually, two questions have arisen - the second: if you have been an observer, did you have specialized training in observation.

But for convenience (since one poll can ask only one question,) I'm asking only the first as I suspect many more teachers have been observed than have been observers.

However, if you HAVE been an observer, could you please indicate in a post on this thread whether you've had specialized training.

Also, if you've been observed multiple times, and some observers had specialized training while others did not, could you also please comment on that in a post.

Thanks,
John

[johnslat]

So, to start - I have been observed multiple times. I am quite sure that none of the observers had specialized training.

I have also been an observer. I have had no specialized training.

Regards,
John

[fluffyhamster]

By specialized training, you mean something super-dooper and in addition to merely having risen through the ranks and gained further qualifications such as the DELTA and/or an MA, right, John? And what sort of training do you have in mind, by the way?

The reason I ask is that I suspect many people (especially those who haven't read any of the previous threads) will assume, and perhaps rightly so, that observers will be qualified by mere dint of having said experience and qualifications.

My "fear" is that whatever additional training or qualifications could introduce more, not less, psychobabble and potential for disagreement into the profession.

I've been observed relatively infrequently: in the West or in Asian but Western-run concerns usually by an ostensibly qualified and/or more experienced teacher, and in "Asia proper" often by people with no particular claim to much experience let alone expertise in actually teaching languages. In most cases, the people doubtless lacked the specialized training you are suggesting.

[spiral78]

I have been both an observer and observed on literally hundreds of occasions over the past 14+ years.

I am trained in observation, and some of my observers have been as well, so it's basically a positive, friendly, useful experience when my performance is actually under review.

I've been observed by an whole whack of (can't think of an accurate numerical expression for this, so am adopting a phrase popular among some of my Canadian colleagues) newbie teachers.


Fluffy, there are a wide range of courses in which teachers are trained to observe and to give feedback. Instructors on CELTA, DELTA, and MA programs spring readily to mind....Canadian universities also offer such programs, as do some universities in Europe that I'm aware of.
Basically, in a lot of circles (though obviously not all) observation's considered a valuable tool for everyone concerned - as opposed to a sort of management threat hanging over the heads of entry-level teachers.

Dear John:

Add a 'both' button?

best,
spiral

[johnslat]

Dear fluffy hamster,

Yes - by "specialized training." I mean specific training in the "art/science" of observation.

Something, perhaps, along the lines of this:

"Observer Training

Framework for Teaching�Observer Training includes eleven online professional development modules that prepare observers to deliver accurate and reliable evaluations of classroom teaching. Observer Training modules are designed for flexible use and can be used for self-paced, self-guided learning or as part of facilitated learning groups. Training topics include:

The research and rationale behind the New Framework for Teaching Evaluation Instrument
How to effectively conduct observations using the in-class observable domains of the New Framework for Teaching Evaluation Instrument
Bias-awareness training to minimize the effects of observer bias

Scoring Practice

Framework for Teaching�Scoring Practice prepares observers for real-world classroom observations by allowing them to practice their observation skills using master-scored classroom videos. In Scoring Practice an observer:

Views online videos of real classrooms
Scores the videos using the New Framework for Teaching Evaluation Instrument
Receives feedback and compares his or her scores with the master scores assigned by an expert

Proficiency Test

Developed in partnership with Charlotte Danielson and ETS, the Framework for Teaching�Proficiency Test is a rigorous next-generation assessment that uses innovative video-based items to assess the ability of observers to accurately evaluate teaching practice using Charlotte Danielson's New Framework for Teaching Evaluation Instrument.

By implementing the Framework for Teaching Proficiency Test districts and states can have increased confidence that observers will be able to assess teaching performance with accuracy and consistency."

http://www.teachscape.com/products/danielson-proficiency-system

Regards,
John

[johnslat]

Dear spiral78,

"Why assume that observers are male?"

Huh? Do you mean because I put "he/she" rather than "she/he?"


Regards,
John

[spiral78]

Dear John:

I've edited that out, because now I see that you have been appropriately gender-neutral. Apologies. My first-glance impression was incorrect.

The other suggestion still stands, though - add a 'both' button?
Very appropriate for those of us engaged in teacher training at any level!

Best,
spiral

[fluffyhamster]

Sorry Spiral, I was forgetting that in order to become e.g. an UCLES-approved trainer, one must complete additional training with 'em.

[johnslat]

Dear spiral78,

Not sure how to add a "both" button (having had no specialized training in that )

Besides, when I hit the "edit" function, the poll itself does not appear - and, therefore, would seem to be uneditable (a word I just coined.)

Regards,
John

[fluffyhamster]

Regarding the observer training you quoted, John, I must admit I quite like the idea of the wannabe observer manacled to a Master Control Video machine that delivers shocks for sub-par scores. All that's then really missing is a Parallax View-style recruit-testing montage sequence.

[spiral78]

Dear John:

You're forgiven, of course!
'Uneditable' could be a valuable contribution to the lexicon;
perhaps useful on your CV as well
'Widely credited with having coined the highly useful term 'uneditable.'

Best,
spiral

[Sashadroogie]

To be a Celta or Delta trainer, you have to shadow another observer in a live lesson and then write your feedback report, which should tally with the person training you up. Fairly nerve-wracking for the new trainer. Though, judging by the comments from some of the more timid souls, it could be enough to send the observed teacher over the edge totally.

[Sashadroogie]

How about the term 'irredactable'? I have just been inspired by Johnslat's neologismisation

[artemisia]

I've had observers with specialised training at tertiary institutions (so I voted 'yes'). Less sure at other places I've worked. For example, I doubt it in the case of high school, but I always thought in those cases that they were people proficient in their field. I didn't doubt their capacity to give appropriate and useful feedback.

I've had no specialised observer training in the way John describes myself. I suppose in terms of reliability, training for that (outside of Celta/Delta training) would ideally involve as many observers as possible 'rating' the same session. Even if that were practical to organise, I doubt there'd be many teachers overjoyed at the prospect of a roomful of observers over and above students! But it could be done with selected recordings. Any workplace that has people with specialised training has to have a great advantage, but I wonder how many of them would be Western (style) tertiary level institutions. I'm not entirely sure workplaces and training courses (e.g. CELTA) involve exactly the same issues. In the classroom, yes, but there are other considerations in a workplace.

One of the best work situations I experienced involved having a specialised training co-ordinator who organised training workshops and who also organised observations - along with other management level staff at times.

[MotherF]

Both