Testing Peer Observation Criteria at Atlantic
The TOP Training Course in Job Shadowing Principals, a two-year Erasmus+ KA2 project bringing together four institutions, including EOI Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain; CPIA, Milan, Italy; CDI Univerzum Ljubljana, Slovenia; and Atlantic Centre of Education, Galway, Ireland, is in full swing. Last week, two of our ESL teachers, Aislinn Meaney and Kevin Kennedy, spent a week testing peer observation criteria. The criteria stem from the collaboration between the four institutions here at Atlantic in March.
The aim was to examine the workability and practical implementation of the TOP concept. Aisling and Kevin experienced the observation process from two standpoints, as observer and observee.
Their report and feedback will contribute to refining the TOP job shadowing framework, the core objective of the two-year collaboration.
Following the kickoff week held at Atlantic in March, each institution has gone on to test peer observation criteria in their specific educational settings. Atlantic’s TOP mentors, Aoife Tamura and Purva Srivastava, prepared Aislinn Meaney and Kevin Kennedy for the official testing week, sharing the concepts and framework co-created by members of the four institutions.
Even though Aislinn and Kevin are experienced English language teachers, they conceded that observations can create tension and unease among teachers.
Last week’s criteria testing assuaged much of their trepidations. Aislinn highlighted the need to reevaluate and refresh teaching methods, while Kevin much enjoyed the collaborative aspect of peer observation.
When asked whether last week’s project had changed their views on observations, Aislinn said the experience would allow her to refresh her methodologies and engage better with students. She now views peer observation as an entirely positive process, allowing her to optimise her teaching skills and refine her techniques.
TOP Peer Observation – The Initial Framework
The participants from the four institutions present at Atlantic during kickoff week co-created guidelines and step-by-step instructions on organising the peer observation. These structures are shareable among colleagues in their respective home institutions.
The defined core aims include engaging all peer observation stakeholders, i.e. experienced teachers, adult students, and new teachers. Exchanging feedback is also essential to the process.
Before the observations, participating teachers receive observation grids, lesson plan templates, and feedback guidelines. The TOP provides instructions on the practical organisation of the peer observation, like frequency, timeframe, documentation, and more.
Kick-off week also saw the emergence of peer observation best practices to be presented and discussed before every peer observation project start.
Observation and Feedback Experience at Atlantic
Kevin and Aislinn had several observation sessions, alternating their roles. They planned the lessons together, allowing them to focus on a specific teaching aspect during the observations. Testing feedback techniques and styles was a core element of the criteria testing process, with Kevin and Aislinn emphasising the importance of a positive and constructive attitude in peer observation.
At the end of the testing week, both Kevin and Aislinn felt that the framework and criteria co-crafted during kickoff week proved solid and workable.
Advice for Teachers Planning Peer Observations
Choosing the appropriate framework and organising peer observation in a structured manner are key to its success, as are feedback styles and language. When asked what advice he would have for teachers considering peer observation at their institutions, Kevin said pairing teachers who understand each other and want to see each other expand their teaching skills was key.
TOP Peer Observation Framework – Testing, Refining, Perfecting
All four institutions and their staff will continue to test tools, collect feedback, document observation journeys, and refine the process each step of the way.
Discussions among peers locally and internationally will ensure that the tool to be created through the TOP project will be truly shareable across Europe.