Overview

What are Instructional Rounds

Instructional rounds are one of the most valuable tools that a school or district can use to enhance teachers' pedagogical skills and develop a culture of collaboration. The goal of instructional rounds isn't to provide feedback to the teacher being observed, although this is an option if the observed teacher so desires. Rather, the primary purpose is for observing teachers to compare their own instructional practices with those of the teachers they observe.

What is the benefits

The chief benefit of this approach resides in the discussion that takes place among observing teachers at the end of the observation as well as in subsequent self-reflection. Instructional rounds can also build collective teacher efficacy. Collective teacher efficacy is the collective belief of teachers in their ability to positively affect students. With an effect size of d=1.57 Collective Teacher Efficacy is strongly correlated with student achievement.

Catwalks at QCMS

Dr. Adam Wolfe has implemented his version of instructional rounds called Catwalks. During Catwalks teachers focus on observing WICOR (Write to Learn, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading to Learn) elements associated with AVID instructional strategies. Prior to conducting observations teachers receive professional learning on a single element for focus. The professional learning is lead by teacher leaders on campus. A total of six rounds; five with one WICOR focus and one with all WICOR elements are conducted. Since implementing Catwalks, Dr. Wolfe has seen an increase in teacher reflection and comradery. Teachers are learning from each other and are a key resource in helping all students be successful by collaborating with each other to be effective instructional leaders in their classrooms.

Learn more about instructional rounds by clicking the links below:

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/feb11/vol68/num05/Making-the-Most-of-Instructional-Rounds.aspx

https://achieve.lausd.net/cms/lib08/CA01000043/Centricity/Domain/262/learning_from_instructional_rounds.pdf

https://education.ucdavis.edu/sites/main/files/file-attachments/improving_teaching_and_learning_through_instructional_rounds_teitel_hel_2009.pdf?1448916699

https://visible-learning.org/2018/03/collective-teacher-efficacy-hattie/