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Understanding and cascading within teaching training and learning contexts
This workshop explores, in detail, the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to carry out non graded peer observations of teaching and training sessions. It also provides a template for follow on staff training on effective peer observation of teaching training and learning.
Graded observation of teaching and training has proved to be a highly effective tool for measuring the quality of teaching and training and is now an essential component of robust self assessment, but many have found it less effective, especially when used in isolation, at delivering real improvement.
Non graded developmental observations, known as Peer Observations are seen by many as the tool to deliver the improvement with graded observations being used for to measure progress and inform self assessment.
This less formal process is common in the HE sector where tutors use it, regularly, to enhance their practice. The effectiveness of non graded peer observation process is however, as with graded observations, highly dependent on the observation skills and abilities of the staff undertaking observations.
Unfortunately Teachers and trainers do not automatically acquire the necessary knowledge and skills, through their normal teaching and training roles. They know what works for them, but do not necessarily appreciate how, through an observation, to evaluate what a colleague does and whether it is genuinely effective.
For Whom
This workshop is designed for Managers with responsibility for the quality of teaching and training. Teachers and Trainers who are or will be required to undertake Peer Observations may also benefit from attending.
The workshop is considered especially suitable for FE Education providers including FE Colleges, DWP/JCP and Private Providers and secondary schools (post 16 provision only). It may also offer benefits to purely commercial training organisations, and managers who are responsible for internal staff training and development in all contexts.
Aims and Objectives
The workshop will help participants develop essential peer observation and feedback skills, and the planning of internal Peer Observation Training. Participants who successfully complete the workshop will be able to:
- prepare effectively to complete a Peer Observation
- discuss and agree an observation agenda that will contribute meaningfully to the development of staff being observed, and or the observer – depending on the observation context
- record accurate, meaningful and evaluative performance notes which link clearly to the agreed observation agenda
- develop accurate and fair development points which link clearly to the agreed observation agenda
- manage post observation feedback so that it enables the observed member of staff, or the observer (depending on the observation context) to clearly identify how they can further develop their teaching practice, in relation to what was agreed on the observation agenda
- design effective Peer Observation training sessions
Content
Key aspects of the workshop, in addition to presentations by the tutor will include:
- interactive discussion on observation preparation and agenda setting, and how the latter needs to link closely to observation criteria
- practical activities involving observing video of teaching and training followed by interactive discussion
- group and individual problem solving exercises in recording performance notes, and producing development points
- practical exercises in managing post observation feedback.
Learning will be facilitated through:
- interactive discussions,
- practical group problem solving exercises,
- case study analysis
- individual learning activities
- tutor feedback to individuals
- group and individual problem solving exercises
- encouraging participants to compare and analyse the suggested action to improve organisation performance demonstrated in the workshop, with their experience of action to improve organisation performance.
Related Observation Workshops
- Characteristics of Effective Teaching
- Coaching Teachers & Trainers: Enhancing the Quality of Teaching &Training through Coaching
- Graded Observation of Learner Reviews & other processes
- Graded OTL: Improving Judgements & Delivering Feedback Effectively
- Graded OTL: Effective Development and Delivery of Feedback
- Graded OTL: Improving Effectiveness of Moderation and Development Action -
- Introduction to Effective Graded Observation of Teaching Training & Learning
- Peer Review of Teaching Training and Learning
Certificates of Professional Development.
Formal Certificates of Development will be issued, by post, to participants who complete this workshop. These certificates will detail the key learning aims and the face-to-face learning hours undertaken, enabling participants to update their CPD records and logs accordingly. The workshop also allows time, during the day, for participants to reflect on and record their personal learning development and consider how best to apply the knowledge gained on return to work. This element of the programme is designed to maximise the benefits from attending and enable participants to make better review judgments when recording their CPD activities.