Pamela Potts presents at the Association of Christian Teachers and Schools (ACTS) Conference on October 24, 2013

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Effective Classroom
Observations
Presented by Pamela Potts
Director, iCOR Impact
Adjunct Instructor, JCCC
913.948.8742
pamela.potts@icorimpact.com
www.icorimpact.com
Presentation found at: http://www.slideshare.net/pamelaspotts

2. Description
¡ Effective Classroom Observations
¡ Classroom observations can be an effective tool
to improve teaching and learning. In this
workshop, we will review best practices in
classroom observations, a typical observation
format, how to collect the data, and using
observation data to provide effective feedback.
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Quote:
“Pay attention to where you are going
because without meaning you might get
nowhere.”
A.A MILNE

4. Ultimate Goal:
Increase Student Outcomes
¡ “Students that are engaged learners learn more
and they retain what they learn longer.”
Carl Riddile, NASSP
¡ “Student engagement happens as a result of a
teacher’s careful planning and execution of
research-based strategies.”
Robert Marzano
¡ “Classroom observations can support systematic
improvement in teacher effectiveness.”
Research from CASTL/Center for Advanced Study of
Teaching and Learning
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5. Inputs ßàTeacher
CompetenciesàOutcomes
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Research from CASTL/Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning

6. Classroom Observations
¡ At the core, classroom observations should be
about:
¡ Coaching
¡ Building up professional practice
¡ Supporting better outcomes for students
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7. Observation System
¡ Examples would be:
¡ Charlotte Danielson
¡ Robert Marzano
¡ Jim Knight
¡ Kim Marshall
¡ Are you currently using a paper and pencil to collect
the observation
¡ No matter what system you use, the tool that you
use to collect the data should be easy to use and
not laborious, or it will be too hard to and too easy to
quit
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8. Best Practices in
Classroom
Observations

9. Determine your targets
¡ Jim Knight, Instructional Coaching Group calls it
the “Big Four”
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10. Determine your targets
¡ Do you have a system in place that helps you
define the goals?
¡ After defining the desired outcome, an
observation system can be selected to align with
objectives
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11. Questions
¡ What questions about classrooms do I want
answered?
¡ “People are not motivated by other people’s
goals” is the basis for involving teachers and
administrators in a partnership for identifying
areas for improvement through staff feedback,
observations and data analysis. Focusing on the
humanity of individuals and valuing the
professional contributions of all staff is vital to
establishing a culture of respect, learning and
continuous improvement.
Dr. Bret Church, Assistant Superintendent
Leavenworth KS
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12. Question Example
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13. Question Example
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14. Question Example
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15. Question Example
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16. Observers & Procedures
¡ Are there clear directions for conducting
observations and assigning scores?
¡ 3 Considerations:
¡ Training protocol to ensure consistency in scoring
methodology and general training on how to rate the
same classroom
¡ Observation protocol
¡ Length of observation
¡ Specific time of day / time of class period
¡ Whether or not the observations are
announced or unannounced
¡ Scoring directions
¡ Rubric for scoring
¡ Are scores based on behavior counts or
qualitative judgments?
¡ Important to have consistency across
observers
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17. Observational Data
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¡ The most appropriate use of observation data is
to get a sense of individual or programmatic
areas of strength and areas of challenge, to
guide individualized professional development or
other support, and to check to see if this support
is working to move teachers “up” in their ability to
provide quality teaching.
Research from CASTL/Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning

18. Use Observations in the
Context of Relationships
¡ Professional development efforts are most
successful when they are embedded in the
context of supportive relationships between
teachers and those making observations and
providing feedback.
¡ Teachers need to know that they are valued
collaborative partners, and that their intent
concerns and goals are understood, and that
consultants/mentors/administrator will meet them
where they are and offer a balance of support
and challenge going forward to help them make
the greatest strides in their practice.
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19. Reading the Data
¡ How does data / information help you make
decisions?
¡ How it is going to influence the professional
development decision?
¡ Think how data can help you in opening up
topics to discuss with a teacher/teachers
¡ Report examples:
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20. Professional Development
¡ Primary goal for conducting classroom
observations not just the quality of the classroom
processes, but also to use that information to
help teachers improve their practices (and
eventually, student outcomes)
¡ What is in place for professional development
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21. Demo iCOR
¡ To see how iCOR can fit into your classroom
observation system:
¡ Visit icorimpact.com
¡ Attend a webinar
¡ Have a one-on-one demo with your team
¡ Request a 90-day trial
Thank you
Pamela Potts and the iCOR Impact Team
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