The Importance Of Classroom Observation

Classroom observation is defined as a nonjudgmental description of classroom events that can be analyzed and interpreted to understand what went on in the classroom (Gebhard, 1999).Through observation, mentors should attempt to provide the mentees with opportunities to gain deepening awareness of their teaching practices, personal values and beliefs (Gebhard, 2008). This awareness is shaped by enabling the mentees see their teaching differently by showing them how to make their own teaching decisions through systematic observation, and exploration of their own and other’s teaching (Gebhard, 1999; Oprandy, 1999). Put it differently, to make observation systematic and guided, it is essential to know the purpose of the observation, how to collect

What are the purposes of the observation? The purposes of the observation could range from teaching evaluation, learning to teach, learning to observe, collecting data for research purpose and finally to become more self-aware as teachers and as mentors (Gebhard, 1999). The most important purpose is to become self-aware of the practices and the rationales behind these practices. Self-awareness is achieved through learning how to visualize and verbalize teaching practices and decisions (Oprandy, 1999).
How to collect data under investigation? First, it is important to consider the relationship between the mentor and the mentee to answer this question. According to Oprandy (1999), mentees can adopt either passive role towards their mentors trying to please them and waiting for their response to their teaching, or adversarial role where the mentee does not accept his/her comments, or collaborative role where both, the mentor and the mentee, are willing to exchange ideas and support each other providing a room for non-judgmental communication. The latest role is the most promising role and the one that provides a positive atmosphere between the two parties to discuss what will happen in the classroom and later comment or reflect on what happened in the classroom. Since discussions that take place between