Wednesday 11 November 2015

Classroom Walkthroughs And Its Role In Management Of Schools

By Mattie Knight


Clinical supervision, or in other terms, classroom observation practice and feedback is a tool that is often used in evaluating the performance of teachers. However, its extent in which teachers are assisted to improve on instruction delivery is questionable. Owing to this, the classroom walkthroughs, which are not meant for evaluation but rather for the purpose of developing professionalism are rapidly increasing in popularity.

Instructional leadership is an essential element of improving teaching and learning, this plays a significant role in improving the achievements of any student. Schools should adapt, create systems that create environment to apply what is taught in class in the real life. Learning in any institution is then actualized when students are able to identify a problem, evaluate the possible solutions and solve it.

The walkthrough model provides an efficient method that allows collection of data that involves institutional practice and provision of feedback. For this model to be successful, the leadership team is at least required to use a third of their time in classroom. With school heads taking more time in classes the teachers too will give a very positive perception to the authority including the principal.

For quality results to be achieved by teachers, the leadership style plays a very vital role. This requires the management to involve the tutors, teachers before making decisions that will involve them. This creates an environment of mutual trust and understanding. The results obtained from this kind of interaction are always tremendous.

The walkthrough model comprise of a sequence of frequent classroom visits where observers are present to look for evidence that is predetermined on specific practices. This observations are capable of lasting anywhere from about 2 to 45 minutes. They are also intended to support a faculty in delivery of curriculum and instructions. Various models of walkthrough exist and some school districts have come up with their own unique models.

The walkthroughs aims at providence of specific response to tutors on the basis of the evidence collected and snapshot image observed. The feedback, when given to any person, or any observer, one can deduce patterns noted during the whole process. This model provides one with an opportunity to; learn from the other participants, gather data on student mode of learning and the instructional practice. This helps in stimulation of better conversational exchange between the tutor and the student. This conversation should only be aimed at learning and teaching activities.

During the worst time, the method is used as a compliance check. This ensures that teachers and tutors are always following the initiatives set by the management. The management should be aware when this method is used this way, the motivational levels of clients always go down. It should therefore be developed to create an ideal environment full of trust. This leads to better integration of both parties involved resulting to better results.

Bringing back a model that is in itself inadequate does no benefit to the school. Other better systems and methods should be used in conjunction to this one. The administrators should spare time to visit classrooms and create an instructional leadership and many others.




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