What is the most effective way of observing your teachers’ performance without losing their personality and natural teaching style?

Some of us thrive on the idea of being centre stage. We don’t necessarily admit it, but we get a buzz out of being the focus. So being observed while we teach is no special deal. The more the merrier.

But some of us don’t feel that way at all. Observation means an enhanced pulse rate, a racing heart, and all the other signs of anxiety. Not anxiety that sends us off for medical attention, but unwelcome anxiety nonetheless.

The problem is that in the end anxiety has an effect on the way we teach – our individuality, our personality, and even our smile. The tension changes our focus from being at one with the class to being on display, the person in front of the camera.

So how can we prevent teachers from letting their anxiety get the better of them during observations?

The first approach is to bring a video system into the classroom, turn it on so that the class think it is working – but you the teacher know that no matter what, you will never watch the video. It may seem an odd approach but it acclimatises us to the situation.

Next have the view that one might, or might not, watch the video depending on how the lesson went. When a good lesson has been recorded, one watches not to criticise oneself, but to ask, “What can I spot in this lesson that really made it go well?”

Step three gets to the stage of saying, “No matter what, I will watch this one,” while step four moves on to finding a video that can be shared with colleagues.

This process, which overcomes anxiety in front of the camera and which helps the teacher’s personality and teaching skills shine through when the camera is present, is increasingly being used in numbers of schools across the country.

The Classwatch video system not only enables teachers and students to get used to video in the classroom, but also allows school leaders to review and discuss a teacher’s performance. Colleagues can observe and share each other’s teaching methods, techniques and lesson ideas to improve their own teaching performance.

It also gives teachers the opportunity to carry out self-evaluation, enabling them to learn from their mistakes without criticism or judgement from others.

You’ll find more information on our website. Alternatively you can call us on 0800 043 9510 or email us at info@classwatch.co.uk

I look forward to hearing from you.

Andrew Jenkins