Classroom Observation

(CO)

Presenter: CamilaWu
ShinDong Junior High School
camilawu1219@gmail.com

Are you satisfied with your teaching?

How

do you like your own teaching?

How do you promote your English teaching?

Brainstorming

We should not work alone.

Feeling

lonely in the journey of teaching.

Definition of Classroom Observation

One

effective mean of learning how

certain teaching methods are employed in
the schools, how classrooms are
organized, and how students respond to
the classroom environment (Reed &
Bergemann, 2005, 9)

Discussion
Did

you ever observe colleagues

teaching? Or were you ever observed????
Was it a positive or negative experience?
Why?

Discussion
What

kinds of useful information about

teaching could be gathered through
observation?

Why is classroom observation

needed????
It

provides stimulus and ideas for ways of

exploring ones own teaching by observing
other teachers and classroom in action

By

having ones own teaching/classroom

observed for the purpose of continued
learning and exploration

Why observe?????
Provide

an opportunity for the sharing of

ideas and expertise, as well as a chance
to discuss problems and concerns
Get feedback on ones teaching
Develop self-awareness of ones own
teaching
A component of teacher development

Are you willing being observed?

Why?

Or Why not?
Brainstorming/Discussion

Would you like to observe Ts teaching?

Lets

do it now.
http://ceitl.zanestate.edu/wiki/images/0/0e/
Classroom_Observation_Examples.pdf
(English-T.Slater)

What do you see in the video?

What

questions would you like to ask the

teacher?
Is there anything you feel unclear and you
need more explanation?

Guiding Principles for Observing-1

Observers

need to maintain a sensitive

awareness of the potential for vulnerability
that inevitably accompanies any observation
of teaching
The presence of a visitor inevitable affects
the classroom dynamics.
Observers need to realize that the samples
of data brought from the classroom are
inevitably limited, and that sweeping
generalizations should be avoided.

Guiding Principles for Observing-2

Sometimes

the task will entail some

preliminary collaboration and co-operation
with the teacher who is going to be
observed.
It is important to share with the observed
teacher any follow-up discussions about the
lesson
The experience has to be meaningful,
rewarding and non-threatening to all
involved.

General Guidelines
Observation

should have a focus

Should use specific procedures
The observer should remain an observer.
( objective/ not judgmental)
Ex:
According to my observation notes, I would
like to know if..

Suggested Procedures for CO

Arrange

a pre-observation orientation

session
Identify a focus for the observation
Employ appropriate procedures to suit the
purpose of the observation
Carry out the observation
Arrange a post-observation session
(interview)

A Pre-observation Orientation Session

The

nature of the class observed

The kind of material being taught
The teachers approach to teaching
The kinds of students in the class
Typical pattern of interaction and class
participation

Identify a Focus for the Observation

Typical how-to dimensions of teaching
include the following:
How the teacher__________
starts and ends a lesson
allots time within a lesson
assigns tasks to students
organizes learning groups
supervises students when they are learning
asks questions

How does the teacher ask Qs?

What

kind of questions does the teacher

ask most often? Yes/No? Either/or? Wh-?
Tag?
What is the content of the teachers
questions?
How long does the teacher wait after asking
a question to get a response?

How does the teacher ask Qs?

How

does the teacher give instructions?

How much time does it take?
Do students know what to do after being
given the instructions?

Other topics that for CO-1

Teachers

language use
Organization of the lesson
Time management
Main teaching activities
Ss performance of tasks

Other topics that for CO-2

Time

on tasks
Ts Qs and Ss responses
Pair and group work
Classroom interaction
Classroom management
Use of the textbook

3 Ways ---Employed to Suit

the Purpose of the Observation
Written

Narrative Field Notes

checklists

Written Narrative
The

language use should be objective and

precise
Any form of evaluation should be avoided

Advantages
disadvantages

Field Notes
Brief

descriptions in note form of key

events that occurred throughout the
lesson, including interpretations of
incidents, where relevant

Advantages
disadvantages

Checklists
A structured

inventory listing feature of a

lesson that the observer completes as he
or she observes the lesson

Advantages
disadvantages

Notices
The

observers function should be limited

to that of gathering information
The observer should not be involved in
evaluating a teachers lesson
Non-evaluative observation within the
context of professional development is
often welcomed by teachers.

During the Observation

Using

the procedures that both parties

have agreed on
Careful observation
Collect datakeep records

During the Observation

avoid setting up negative or hostile currents

in the classroom
Take every care to minimize the intrusion
Effective observation: being objective

A Post-observation Session
Observers

and obseree meet as soon as

possible after the lesson
The observers report on the information
collected during the lesson and discusses
it with the observee

Lets Practice it now!!!

examples of Classroom Observation

http://teach.mcsh.kh.edu.tw/sheu5711/app

raise/classroom_flow.htm
(Chinese)
http://ceitl.zanestate.edu/wiki/images/0/0e/
Classroom_Observation_Examples.pdf
(English-T.Slater)

YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=2_kCJXaVaNU (T-Chang)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Ox1rdWlW1r4&feature=related(T-Wang)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=qTZYc704zVI&feature=related (Geptreading T-Han)

References
Ruth,

Wajnryb. (1992) Classroom Observation

Tasks. United Kindom: Cambridge University Press
Yueh-kuei, Hsu. (2010) Classroom Observation
and Post-observation Interview given in a workshop
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_kCJXaVaNU
(T-Chang)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Ox1rdWlW1r4&feature=related(T-Wang)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=qTZYc704zVI&feature=related (Gept-reading THan)