Effective Supervision

Administrative leaders have performed observations of teaching practice for years, but those observations have often been seen as superficial at best and subjectively biased at worst. And yet, observation, when done well, can play a vital role in increasing teacher effectiveness, and has become an important part of teacher evaluation systems. What can teachers really gain from being observed in the classroom? And what should the observers be looking for?

In Effective Supervision: Supporting the Art and Science of Teaching DVD, researcher and author Robert J. Marzano presents a framework for observing classroom instruction based on the questions and frameworks he first laid out in the book The Art and Science of Teaching. Marzano presents a detailed observation protocol and demonstrates how to use it, not only as a tool for analysing classroom instruction but also as a starting point to encourage professional dialogue among teachers.

As you observe teachers in a variety of classrooms, Marzano and a panel of teachers identify critical aspects of instruction that can help all teachers move their practice from good to great. The interplay between the lessons and the discussions will yield "aha" moments for teachers of all ages and subject areas. This is an essential tool for supervisors, administrators, coaches and teacher leaders, and can also assist professional learning communities in their ongoing work.

One 55-minute DVD