Action+Research+Project

=  ﻿ How does a peer observation program contribute to promoting professional dialogue as a means of improving teacher practice at the school? =

The peer observation program is designed to contribute to promoting professional dialogue as a means of improving teacher practice in a way that ... · Promotes a collaborative culture · Provides professional development that is “site based” and “job embedded” (Roberts and Pruitt, 2009) · Provides opportunities for staff to hold reflective conversations

So that... · Staff share knowledge and understandings · A culture of classroom observation is established · Student outcomes are improved.

Central to the peer observation program is the opportunity for reflective conversation. If the program is to support the school’s vision then the dialogue that occurs between teachers based on the classroom observations must be rigorous, relevant and real.

There are a number of communities at the school and the peer observation program fits neatly into a number; Teaching and learning teams, Domain teams and staff room office space. It is hoped that informal and formal dialogue will result within and across these different ‘communities of practice’. Anecdotal feedback so far suggests that many informal conversations have resulted from participation in the program.

To read more about the research behind this project please download the action research proposal or the peer reviewed research papers in PDF.

 