What is Observed Teaching Practice and Why is it Important?

The following essay will cover the value and importance of observed teaching practices, on both evaluating new teaching techniques and methods, as well as training purposes. How observation can help us curtail future lesson plans and curriculum will also be covered and discussed.

This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Chandler J. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.

Benefits of OTP

First of all, being observed by a trained professional during a new teacher’s initial classes is a must in today's educational system and essential to building proper teaching techniques. Regardless of how one performs during the written and oral examination, the true grit and foundation of a well-positioned individual can be visually examined and scrutinized during real-life classroom scenarios. It's during these highly intense and lack of motivated students, the true colors of a well-mannered educator will either shine or faultier. Having served and worked in the military and other government sectors, observation is one of the mandatory practices that one must go through to proceed to the next clearance level and security protocols, that is set in place to filter out those that are not capable to perform in the field.

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Training

Secondly, an observation by new hirees, for training purposes is highly recommended and should be mandatory for all educators. In every higher-level occupation that requires mastery and discipline, there's always mandatory training, as well as internship, or on the job training. This is normally performed under the supervision or leadership of a seasoned professional, where the apprentice will follow, take direction, and orders on how to do one's job according to proper standards and ethics. There are serious consequences, to let a new teacher into the educational system, that has not proven themselves to be of higher aptitude and the necessary grounds of stable teaching ability. A new teacher, under the guidance and tutelage of a seasoned professional teacher, will be able to witness firsthand, on the proper handling, engagement, and application of well thought out lesson plans and curriculum.

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Exchange

Thirdly, observation in the classroom, on seasoned professionals, should be implemented as well. This is not to undermine current teachers and students. This is designed to keep our teaching methods fresh, new, and to introduce constructive criticism into the observed teacher's lesson plans and approach. The world is ever-changing. Temperaments in students change. Our approach to education should be ever-evolving based on the need and the constantly evolving environment. What once worked a decade ago may or may not be in the right flow and standard that new students in this day and age are accustomed to. The new generation of students may or may not take to, or be able to digest, due to the change in technology and the access of information that the internet provides.

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In conclusion, observation in the classroom should be mandatory in all aspects of the teaching and instructional process. All spectrums should be monitored. New hirees should be observed for the simple fact that they're starting and should be properly vetted for their new career path. Seasoned professionals should be monitored because the mentality of students changes and the lesson plans should evolve with the ever-changing environment. Observations will propel education and educators to higher levels if implemented properly and efficiently.

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