Resources on Classroom Observation Cycle & Giving Feedback
As part of the 2011-12 instructional expectations for all NYC schools, administrators and teachers will utilize the Danielson Framework for Teaching, or a research-based rubric already adopted by the school that articulates what effective teaching looks like, in order to provide feedback to teachers on their classroom practice. This rubric will help guide short, frequent cycles of classroom observation and collaborative examination of student work. To support schools in doing this, we have worked with one of the schools in the Teacher Effectiveness Pilot (MS 331) to capture their cycle of classroom observations and feedback. Note that this school is in its third year of using Danielson’s rubric and therefore have developed mature structures to support teacher development in both formal and informal ways.
Here’s a suggested way to make use of these resources:
- Review the Danielson Framework by clicking here.
- Review the Characteristics of Effective Feedback by clicking here.
- Watch and Reflect on Video #1: Classroom Observation & Feedback Cycle
- This video gives an in-depth look at the formal observation process at MS 331 in the Bronx. It addresses how the use of the Danielson Framework for Teaching creates a common language to use for pre-observation, classroom observation and post-observation protocols that are meant to provide targeted and specific feedback to improve the classroom practice of teachers. Click here for discussion questions.
- Watch and Reflect on Video #2: Classroom Observation Structures & Support
- This video looks at the ongoing descriptive feedback process teachers at MS 331 receive in order to improve their classroom practice. It also addresses the organizational challenges and structural decisions the school has made to make this process meaningful and effective for teachers and administrators. Click here for discussion questions.
- Develop your feedback skills further through this Learning Opportunity on Providing Teacher Feedback in ARIS Learn.
Learn more about MS 331's observation process by clicking here. For more information about this work visit the Teacher Effectiveness Page.
If you can't play the videos below, view the videos on Vimeo: Classroom Observation Cycle at MS 331 and Classroom Observation Cycle: Structures and Supports at MS 331.