Teacher Education
Teacher observation is a key element in shaping effective educators. When done right, it goes beyond just evaluating performance—it fosters growth, builds confidence, and improves teaching practices. The most successful observation programs follow a “winning formula” that combines structured feedback, reflection, mentorship, and the strategic use of technology.
Let’s explore what makes this formula so impactful, based on insights from a recent webinar with education experts from the University of Florida, including Dr. Shelley Warm, Program Coordinator and Professor for the Site-Based Implementation of Teacher Education (SITE) program; Dr. Barbara Buys, retired Elementary Principal and Site Coach; and Dr. Dawa Zo, Ph.D.Site Coach.
A well-organized observation process begins with clear goals. Each session should have a defined focus, whether it’s on classroom management, questioning strategies, or engaging student participation. For instance, in the University of Florida’s teacher preparation program, specific teaching skills are addressed monthly, starting with classroom management at the beginning of the semester and moving to more complex skills like critical questioning later in the semester. This progression ensures that teacher candidates build skills incrementally, making their development both manageable and effective.
The integration of technology, especially video assessments, has significantly enhanced teacher education by making the observation process more efficient and personalized. Platforms like GoReact allow candidates to use video to record their lessons, review their performance, and receive time-stamped feedback from mentors and coaches. This detailed feedback helps candidates identify areas for growth and reflect on their teaching methods.
An exciting innovation is the use of AI to provide additional insights. The AI Assistant in GoReact can track data such as pacing, speech patterns, and even identify frequently used phrases. This allows for a deeper level of analysis and more precise feedback for the teacher candidate. It also makes the observation process more efficient, helping both the mentor and the candidate focus on what matters most.
At the heart of every successful teacher observation program is reflection. Teachers are encouraged to engage in self-reflection by reviewing their recorded lessons, assessing their strengths, and identifying areas for improvement. This process allows them to take ownership of their learning and be more proactive about their professional development.
But reflection doesn’t stop there. Co-reflection with coaches and mentors adds another layer of depth. These collaborative discussions provide different perspectives, allowing the teacher candidate to refine their approach with the support of experienced educators. This dual reflection—both self-guided and supported—creates a powerful feedback loop that drives continuous improvement.
Finding the right balance between autonomy and guidance is crucial during the observation process. While it’s important to let teacher candidates lead their own reflections, coaches and mentors play an essential role in guiding them toward actionable steps for improvement.
For example, instead of simply pointing out areas for correction, mentors can ask reflective questions like, “What did you notice about the way students responded during this part of the lesson?” This encourages deeper thinking and ensures that the feedback process is constructive rather than directive. This scaffolding helps teacher candidates develop independence in their teaching while still benefiting from expert guidance.
Data collection and analysis are critical components of effective teacher observations. By leveraging video platforms like GoReact, educators can gather valuable data on classroom performance, from how many times a phrase is repeated to how well students engage with the material. Insights generated by the AI Assistant In GoReact further enhance this by automatically identifying patterns that might be missed in real-time observation.
This data isn’t just for the sake of numbers. It allows coaches and mentors to track progress over time, ensuring that the teacher candidate is developing the necessary skills to succeed in the classroom. Regular analysis of this data leads to a cycle of continuous improvement, where feedback is always aligned with specific goals and benchmarks.
The winning formula for teacher observations includes structured feedback, self-reflection, coaching, and the smart use of technology. By following this approach, teacher candidates not only refine their skills but also build confidence and readiness to meet the challenges of today’s classrooms.
For schools and programs looking to enhance their observation processes, adopting these strategies can lead to significant improvements in both teacher development and student outcomes.
