Appendix B: Suggested Best Practices for Classroom Visits

(Kachur et al., 2013)

  • Sit or stand quietly in an unobtrusive place.
  • Refrain from redirecting student work or behaviour (except in emergency situations).
  • Have a non-evaluative state of mind. Stay focused on gathering data about student learning. that you see or elements of instruction that facilitate student learning.
  • Use open, nonjudgmental body language.
  • If asked a question by a student during your observation, reflect the question back to the student or instructor in order to encourage continued learning.
  • Do not enter classrooms during the first or last five minutes of class.
  • Most important, note only what you see—not what you don’t see.
  • Take notes after the classroom visit and discuss briefly as soon as possible.
  • Write down exact quotes instead of paraphrasing a teacher or student.
  • Refrain from talking about the classes you visit until the debriefing.
  • Turn off cell phones.
  • Use agreed-upon common language for describing high-quality instruction.
  • Observe the classroom from the perspective of the student as a learner.
  • Do not teach or assist individuals or small groups with assigned seatwork.
  • Exit the classroom quietly and expeditiously.

Suggested Best Practices for Follow-up After Classroom Visits

(Kachur et al., 2013)

  • Listen to, welcome, and consider others’ ideas.
  • Create opportunities for and value humour and fun.
  • Support emotional collegiality.
  • Honour the idea that we are all here to learn and grow together.
  • Avoid evaluative language and critique.
  • Make comments straightforward and clear.
  • Ask genuine questions that you wonder about.
  • Avoid leading or multiple-choice questions.
  • Do not set up the answer.
  • Be clear about your intent: clarifying questions are for the person asking them (who, what when, where), and open-ended probing questions are for the person answering them (why).
  • Challenge ideas, not people.
  • Encourage the exchange of ideas.
  • Ask for clarification if you do not understand what you observed.
  • Look for positive ideas you can take away.
  • Speak consistently to the observed focus and look-fors (if applicable).
  • Engage in deep questioning and conversation to inspire one another.
  • Ask “what if” or “I wondered” reflective questions.
  • Keep student learning the central focus of all comments.