Using Observation to Enhance Learning

This time of year, it can be easy to begin thinking that we’ve got students all figured out. We’ve had them in our classrooms for a couple of months, refreshed our knowledge of developmental strengths and needs, administered initial assessments, reviewed benchmark data, and have likely had one (or more) conferences or calls with most families. This early knowledge can trick us into believing that we already thoroughly know our students and have all the information we require to plan rich lessons and rigorous instruction.

While preliminary information can provide a solid foundation for knowing students, truly responsive teaching is rooted in careful, continuing observation. Responsive Classroom teachers use observation as a professional practice and utilize what is gleaned to design (and redesign) instructional activities to more authentically reflect their students’ immediate strengths, needs, interests, and concerns.

Following are strategies and structures to help hone observation practices and use the information you gather to guide future instruction and enhance student engagement.

Make observation a professional priority

Incorporate observation into teaching routines. To make observation a habit, determine a few predictable times of day or aspects of lessons when you will make observation a priority. To support your focus, take steps to minimize potential distractions during these times.

Know what to look for. There is almost infinite information we can learn by simply taking a step back to watch, listen to, and learn from students, so it can be daunting to decide where to begin. A few focus areas to consider as you get started might be:

• Peer relationships – Who sits with whom? Who leads and who follows?
• Physical energy – Who has a lot of energy to burn? Who prefers to sit quietly and read?
• Mental energy – Who perseveres even when things get a bit tricky? Who tires quickly, loses focus frequently, or gets easily frustrated?

Plan how you’ll take and organize notes. Some observers prefer tactile methods (sticky notes, tabbed folders, index cards, recipe boxes), while others prefer digital systems (cloud-based folders, note-taking apps, spreadsheets). To make the most of your observations, make a plan for how you will take and organize your notes.

Observe to learn

Know your lens. Our own culture, personality, prior experiences, current mood, and more shape our observational lens. Before observations, clear your lens by acknowledging potential biases, emotions, or interests that may cloud your vision.

Take objective notes. Work to describe rather than label; focus on facts (actions, words, behaviors) over impressions (motivations, intentions, capacities).

Stay curious. Pause assumptions about what students can and can’t do, do and don’t like, and how they learn best. Instead, offer choice and observe to learn what students choose and how their choices support their engagement and practice. A general rule of thumb: look to be surprised rather than right (when you do, you likely will be.)

Apply your learning

Make reflection and planning part of your observation protocols. Identify a predictable time of day (15-30 minutes) to dedicate to observation reflections and next steps. Start by taking a few minutes to review, clarify, and consolidate your notes. Then, look for ways to use what you learned to benefit future content and better engage students in their learning.

When reviewing notes, look to identify strengths students can build from, rather than deficits to be filled.

When planning next steps, note specific opportunities to incorporate students’ interests and needs into upcoming instructional activities.

For more information about the strategies and structures discussed here, as well as other ideas for purposeful observation, check out:

Written by Lindsey Lynch, Responsive Classroom Consulting Teacher, and Educational Consultant and Coach