Learning from Observing

Learning about walk-through in the classrooms was interesting.  Walk-through process is frequent, short classroom visits, and conversations with teachers about how they make decisions when planning and implementing their teaching. It is a practice that combines instructional supervision, ongoing professional development, coaching and mentoring, and adult learning. Walk-throughs are usually conducted by administrators, but can also be used by peers for helping out each other. The goal is not to evaluate a teacher, but rather to gather information about curriculum and pedagogy.

A walk-through can help administrators become more familiar with curriculum and instructional practices, confirm and establish progress monitoring data, gauge the climate of the school, influence team atmosphere, model value of teaching and learning, and establish leadership in a professional learning community (Ginsberg & Murphy, 2002). It can help teachers improve teaching strategies, strengthen the link with instructional planning, build professional development and/or growth plans, use the data gathered to learn about the curricular and instructional decisions that impact students. Schools can use this to develop and provide professional development for teachers.

The form that I created was in the form of a google document and its focus was on the 4C’s of education and how technology was being integrated into the lesson. While the form contains a lot of details, it is critical to know that it is not possible to observe all this during a short visit.

I hope that teachers see this as a great tool to be on the same team as administrators work towards improving our students’ education.

Walk-through Form