EEND 680 Module 3 Discussion
Hello Class,
This week we are to discuss Learning Walks or Classroom Walk Throughs... This has been a big topic of discussion at my school, and along with learning lunches have been a real area of focus for teachers to learn from their peers. I think there are a lot of benefits from getting out of your classroom and observing other teachers at their craft. I also think it is valuable for administration to see their staff on a more regular basis than just during formal and informal observations. I also think these interactions can lead to increased collaboration among your peers, and give you ideas or methods for improving your own teaching.
One of the things we really focus on during our learning walks and lunches is the use of technology. Especially during our initial intro to a 1:1 district, the focus on how teachers were using technology was a huge component of these learning walks. As an administrator, I think it is important to informally monitor the progress of the staff as a whole as far as how much technology integration is occurring in your school. This will help answer questions like how much professional development in the tech space is needed and who can lead those discussions.
Recently, we started the Pineapple Program here at WVHS. Since teachers are pushed to visit other classrooms as much as possible a system was put in place to signal if your room was a good place to visit. Teachers have their schedules posted outside of their classroom doors. If you felt comfortable enough, you were asked to place a Pineapple next to the periods that you welcome visitors to come watch you teach. I think this is a great program as some teachers aren't as comfortable as others to invite administration or other faculty into their room. By easily checking outside the door, you can choose classrooms to visit that want to be a part of the collaborative process and learn from their peers. I understand why some teachers are apprehensive about participating because they worry about being judged. We are all humans, and although the process isn't for judgment, but rather self reflection and collaboration, there is always going to be some judgment made on how the class is going. I like this program as a visitor as well because you don't have to feel worried about going to a classroom that isn't receptive of visitors.
I feel like our school is trying really hard to make learning walks a big part of our culture here at WVHS. In fact, we have one tomorrow. I am honestly looking forward to visiting some classrooms. I tend to visit classrooms that have the greatest reviews from the most important sources.... the students. Over the course of the year, you learn what classes the students enjoy. I plan to attend a couple of those classes during my learning walk tomorrow! I really like discussing what I see with my peers and often ask them questions about how to apply it in my classroom. I hope we are on our way to celebrating these experiences, instead of dreading them or hoping that other teachers don't judge our class that day. Support from each other, positive feedback, and administration providing non-invasive opportunities will be the key to that success.
Thank you,
Jim Nielsen
This week we are to discuss Learning Walks or Classroom Walk Throughs... This has been a big topic of discussion at my school, and along with learning lunches have been a real area of focus for teachers to learn from their peers. I think there are a lot of benefits from getting out of your classroom and observing other teachers at their craft. I also think it is valuable for administration to see their staff on a more regular basis than just during formal and informal observations. I also think these interactions can lead to increased collaboration among your peers, and give you ideas or methods for improving your own teaching.
One of the things we really focus on during our learning walks and lunches is the use of technology. Especially during our initial intro to a 1:1 district, the focus on how teachers were using technology was a huge component of these learning walks. As an administrator, I think it is important to informally monitor the progress of the staff as a whole as far as how much technology integration is occurring in your school. This will help answer questions like how much professional development in the tech space is needed and who can lead those discussions.
Recently, we started the Pineapple Program here at WVHS. Since teachers are pushed to visit other classrooms as much as possible a system was put in place to signal if your room was a good place to visit. Teachers have their schedules posted outside of their classroom doors. If you felt comfortable enough, you were asked to place a Pineapple next to the periods that you welcome visitors to come watch you teach. I think this is a great program as some teachers aren't as comfortable as others to invite administration or other faculty into their room. By easily checking outside the door, you can choose classrooms to visit that want to be a part of the collaborative process and learn from their peers. I understand why some teachers are apprehensive about participating because they worry about being judged. We are all humans, and although the process isn't for judgment, but rather self reflection and collaboration, there is always going to be some judgment made on how the class is going. I like this program as a visitor as well because you don't have to feel worried about going to a classroom that isn't receptive of visitors.
I feel like our school is trying really hard to make learning walks a big part of our culture here at WVHS. In fact, we have one tomorrow. I am honestly looking forward to visiting some classrooms. I tend to visit classrooms that have the greatest reviews from the most important sources.... the students. Over the course of the year, you learn what classes the students enjoy. I plan to attend a couple of those classes during my learning walk tomorrow! I really like discussing what I see with my peers and often ask them questions about how to apply it in my classroom. I hope we are on our way to celebrating these experiences, instead of dreading them or hoping that other teachers don't judge our class that day. Support from each other, positive feedback, and administration providing non-invasive opportunities will be the key to that success.
Thank you,
Jim Nielsen
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