Why Instructional Rounds Are Prudent

By Joyce Williams


Numerous practices take place in learning institutions. Most of the practices usually involve the student. However, there are exercises where both teachers and their students can engage in. One such practice involves carrying out instructional rounds. This is a kind of evaluation exercise where a team of teachers get to make observations on other teachers.

The team of teachers contains around five teachers, who are either volunteers or are selected randomly. The team is headed by a teacher, who is responsible of conducting the whole exercise. After the team is informed of what is expected from them, a suitable date is appointed on which the exercise will take place. All the observations during one of the learning sessions made are recorded for later discussions.

To ensure the exercise is effective, it is always advisable that the number of teachers in the group should not exceed five. Early preparation is done for the students. They are usually informed of the events that would be taking place so that they may maintain a normal routine; hence, ensuring that the correct observations are made.

After all the rounds have been made, discussions then commences. Each teacher is given a chance to make a comment on what they observed. They determine what they can employ in their practice and which ones should be discouraged. This process produces a great chance to assess issues and determine the best way in which to deal with such issues. This way a lot of challenges can be addressed and solutions determined.

The rounds offer a lot of benefits to any institution by equipping and bettering skills of a teacher. From the observations made, the teachers are able to address so many issues. They also discover a lot of new useful information. The exercise also helps the teachers assess themselves and compare their methods of teaching to those of others.

The exercise offers teachers with the opportunity to interact with their colleagues. The fact that they can correct and accept corrections itself is encouraging since it helps them better their skills. They are able to learn from one another mistakes; thus, become well equipped to tackle issues.

Moreover, many challenges faced by both students and teachers can be able to be addressed this way. During the discussion, problems stated get to be addressed. Measures are put in place in terms of what action should be taken so as to minimize if not to fully eradicate the challenges. Each teacher gets to give out their views on how best they think a solution can be drawn.

Learning institutions should really consider employing this exercise. Teachers should actually volunteer for such exercise, this is because the exercise itself involves evaluation that is quite friendly. It helps one gauge their performance and work on areas where they might be challenged in. Therefore, they should not shy away, rather they ought to embrace it since there a lot of benefits to be enjoyed.




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