An observation on Peer Observation for Teaching (POT)

Earlier today, I attended a sharing session on POT conducted by Chongfu School with 3 other colleagues. I saw how POT was implemented in the school and the process behind it. I observed a post conference 'live' and watched how the team supported one another in improving pedagogical skills so as to improve students' learning. I listened to the discussion and was heartened to see how the Beginning Teachers (BT) were guided by the mentors and how the mentors were in turn guided by the Level Teachers and Senior Teachers. I learnt about the Praise-Critique-Praise Model which reminded me to be sensitive and tactful and to focus on the important aspects of the lesson in order to make it more meaningful.

During the discussion with my colleagues, we all agreed that we do not have a proper structure to our peer observation. All this while, our 'peer observation' was done more on an informal basis. When we have an interesting lesson to share, we 'invite' our colleagues over to observe our lesson and our post-conference was in the form of feedback for our lesson. Throughout my 3 years as a mentor, I have always mentored others, based on 'common sense' and how I remembered being mentored when I was a BT. The skills that I learnt in the Structured Mentoring Programme also helped me in choosing the right words during a post-observation.

What I saw in POT today was totally different! I was amazed by the structure and the support that comes with it. A team of teachers to sit in during a lesson observation and having a post conference with the BTs, guided by the mentors, and the mentors in turn guided by the STs. It seems like everyone is being 'supported' and with this kind of process, it will definitely benefit everyone- teachers and students too!

To implement it in our school will of course be a new challenge. Firstly, everyone needs to 'buy in' the idea. It will be a new culture for all to accept and everyone must be 'open' to constructive criticisms. Secondly, the time-table will need to be adjusted so as to allow a team of teachers to observe each others lessons and time must be blocked for pre and post conference. I have also learnt that the 'pre-conference' is actually more important than the 'post-conference.' To implement it will be a big step for all of us. Perhaps, it can be adopted as a PLC project in future by small groups of teachers.