Quick Tips For More Effective Classroom Observation As A Student Teacher

If you are in school to become a teacher, there is likely to be a time when you are required to complete a specific amount of classroom observation. However, observation is not just the act of watching a teacher, as it should also include watching the students to see the level of interaction between the two. In addition, confirming that the majority of students understand and can retain the information being presented is an essential aspect of teaching. In order to get the most benefit from your classroom observation and learn how to meet the aforementioned expectations, it is a good idea to apply the following tips to your experience.

Closely Observe How the Teacher Interacts With The Students

It is easy to forget that teaching involves more than just providing information and expecting students to absorb the knowledge. Instead, it should involve allowing for the different ways that students learn and interacting with them appropriately.

In addition, the techniques that an experienced teacher will use may vary from that which you are learning in school, as her methods may evolve as a result of the needs of her students. For instance, inner city schools may require stronger discipline or stronger control over the classroom, while parental contact may also be more challenging. Therefore, watch the control the teacher has over the classroom and how they interact with her, as both can indicate how well the learning process is going.

Assess How The Teacher Determines The Level Of Knowledge That Students Retain

One common problem in education is that students may seem to grasp the knowledge they are being taught in the classroom, but when they get home, important steps are forgotten. Therefore, you will need to watch the different ways that a teacher will verify that her students are learning the expected subject matter.

A common suggestion is that students will be reminded of the information being shared and prompted to recite it back about four times an hour. That can be done by encouraging two or more students to share the information amongst themselves, offering impromptu quizzes and other quick techniques. Part of this will also relate back to the ability of the teacher to interact with her students, since rapport can impact how involved students feel in the learning process.

In conclusion, the skills you acquire during your classroom observation as a student teacher are essential and will play an enormous role in your eventual success. Therefore, It will be helpful to use the advice mentioned above during your learning experiences in the classroom.