Over the next few weeks, Insight and SmartBrief are teaming up to examine how educators are using video in observation, coaching and evaluation – all in an effort to grow teacher practice.
In the first post on SmartBlog for Education entitled Video in observation: Are we ready? we share troubling data regarding teachers’ perceptions of the support they receive – but also some very compelling evidence that classroom video may be the solution they’ve been waiting for.
We worked with SmartBrief to poll teachers from across the country to understand their feelings on observation and evaluation processes and the impact they have on professional growth.
As the data shows, most teachers are looking for more out of the systems currently in place.
Perhaps this is why 91% of teachers said they’d be open to filming their instruction for use in observations and professional learning, and why 76% are even ready to use video in evaluations.
TNTP’s 2012 study The Irreplacables found that as many as 74% of high-performing teachers leave their positions because they are not feeling recognized or supported. Because traditional methods of observation and feedback are clearly not providing teachers with what they need in their roles, it’s time to turn to solutions like classroom video to help.
But what I find most surprising about this data is how it compares to responses from school leaders. Most assumed that teachers would not be open to filming their classrooms for use in observations and evaluations. However, they also overwhelmingly agreed that video would enhance feedback and professional learning.
Take a look at this week's Smartbrief post, and be sure to watch the next post, which will dig deeper into school leader perceptions to determine how video can transform the way teachers receive feedback and grow.
