International Conference 2016

1. Eaquals International Conference, Lisbon, 21 – 23 April 2016
PEER OBSERVATION:
Making it work for lasting CPD
Carole Anne Robinson,
Senior Trainer, NILE
www.eaquals.org

2. Peer Observation
1 2 3
PEER OBSERVATION: Making it work for lasting CPD

3. An Overview
• What is peer observation?
• Reasons for peer observation
• Barriers to peer observation
• Different types of peer observation
• Good practice in peer observation
PEER OBSERVATION: Making it work for lasting CPD

4. What is peer observation?
‘the process of colleagues observing others in their
teaching, with the overall aim of improving teaching
practice.’
Hendry and Oliver (2012) p1
‘a teacher or other observer closely watching and
monitoring a (language) lesson or part of a lesson in
order to gain an understanding of some aspect of
teaching, learning, or classroom interaction.’
Richards and Farrell (2005) p85
PEER OBSERVATION: Making it work for lasting CPD

5. Reasons for Peer Observation
PEER OBSERVATION: Making it work for lasting CPD

6. Reasons for Peer Observation
PEER OBSERVATION: Making it work for lasting CPD
To satisfy accreditation
bodies
To foster a more cohesive
working environment
To feed into yearly
appraisals
Because it’s the ‘right
thing to do’
To develop professionally
To learn about a different subject
area
To observe learners from a
different perspective
To learn about / reflect on a
classroom technique
To have the opportunity to reflect
To be part of an
action research
project
To build peer-
peer trust and
collaboration
To develop
competence
Institutional
Personal

7. Case Study 1
School X wants to implement a peer observation
scheme as CPD was an area for improvement in a
recent British Council inspection and it feels this
would be a good way to improve this area. The DoS
announces the scheme at a staff meeting and tells
teachers they’ll be paired up for peer observations
over the next 3 months and cover will be provided for
them each to do one observation of each other.
PEER OBSERVATION: Making it work for lasting CPD

8. Case Study 2
School Y introduces a peer observation scheme
after consultation with teachers about what they
would like to get out of it. They decide that teachers
will pair up and will observe each other twice over a
year. Each teacher will choose an area of their
teaching they would like to focus on and this will lead
on to further CPD where necessary. The teachers
can decide how to organise the peer observation
and will report back on how it is going during an
annual appraisal.
PEER OBSERVATION: Making it work for lasting CPD

9. Barriers to Peer Observation
PEER OBSERVATION: Making it work for lasting CPD
No teacher buy-in
Unclear focus and outcomes
Not enough inclusion
Not enough structure
Isolation of teachers
Fear of the unknown
Time and timetable constraints
Not enough training
Cover issues
1. “I don't understand the overall purpose of peer observation.”
2. “ This is imposed by management!”
3. “I don't understand what I should focus on.”
4. “I have nothing to learn from peer observation.”
5. “I don't want my colleagues judging me.”
6. “I'm worried about how to conduct feedback.”
7. “It'll affect the class dynamic.”
8. “It'll mean a lot of form-filling.”
9. “There isn’t enough time.”
10. “ I don’t want someone else teaching my class.”

10. Setting up a Peer Observation
Framework
PEER OBSERVATION: Making it work for lasting CPD
• Objectives - Personal and Institutional (INSETT + Reflection)
• Collaboration and Planning
• Timetabling
• Observation Etiquette
• Moving forward for further CPD

11. Good Practice in Peer Observation
• Pre-observation discussion
• Post-observation discussion
• Documentation
PEER OBSERVATION: Making it work for lasting CPD

12. Documentation
•Lesson Plans
•Observation Tasks
•Peer Observation Records
Good Practice in Peer Observation
PEER OBSERVATION: Making it work for lasting CPD

13. Peer Observation Log
Date Observer Observee Lesson Focus Length Observation Type
(Drop-in / Arranged)
2/07/14 Thom Kiddle Rod Bolitho MALTM Vocab & language 75 mins arranged
2/07/14 Carole Robinson Thom Kiddle History of ELT 75 mins arranged
3/07/14
Maria Heron Claudia Rey CLIL 45 mins arranged
3/07/14
Thom Kiddle Rod Bolitho MALTM Vocab & language 30 mins arranged
15/07/14 Alan Mackenzie Sandie Morau YL Maths 75 mins drop-in
17/07/14
Alan Mackenzie Claudia Rey PET/KET/CLIL 75 mins drop-in
18/07/14
Maria Heron Derek Nolan CELTA: Vocab 10 mins drop-in
24/07/14 Susi Pearson Jamie Keddie Using video in teaching 60 mins arranged
31/07/14 Maria Heron Derek Nolan CELTA: teaching Business English 90 mins arranged
www.nile-elt.com

14. Being Creative with Peer Observation
• Filmed observation
• Blind observation
• Pop-in observation (with red card system)
• Step-by-step observation
• Using workshop sessions
PEER OBSERVATION: Making it work for lasting CPD

15. Lasting CPD
• Ownership of peer observation scheme
• Ongoing peer observation
• Leading to other forms of CPD for individuals, teams and the
organisation
• Group discussion leading to in-service training
PEER OBSERVATION: Making it work for lasting CPD

16. Summary
• Structure
• Simplicity
• Imagination and creativity
• Looking forward
PEER OBSERVATION: Making it work for lasting CPD

17. Useful Resources
•Cosh, J. (1999) ‘Peer Observation: a reflective model’ ELTJ 53/1
•Hendry, G. D. and Oliver, G.R. (2012) Seeing is believing: The benefits of peer
observation in Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice. Vol.9. Issue 1
•Quirke, P. (1996) ‘Using Unseen Observations for an In-service Teacher Development
Programme’ The Teacher Trainer 10/1
•Richards, J.C. and Farrell, T.S.C. (2005) Professional Development for Language
Teaching. CUP
•Richards, J. and Lockhart, C. (1991). ‘Teacher development through peer observation’
TESOL Journal, 1/2: 7 – 10
•Robinson, C. (2016) Peer Observation: Making it Effective and Achievable in English
Around the World No. 3 (Russian Teaching Publication)
PEER OBSERVATION: Making it work for lasting CPD

18. Thank you
Carole Anne Robinson
carole@nile-elt.com
PEER OBSERVATION: Making it work for lasting CPD