1. The Second Level Support Service is funded by the Department of Education and Science under the National Development Plan Self Evaluation – focus on classroom practice Harry Freeman harryfreeman@slss.ie 087-2908528

2. Evaluation is a process to ensure learning and teaching continually evolves to achieve identified goals Evaluation means figuring out whether you are meeting your goals, if not why not, and what you should do next to improve.. What is Evaluation?

3. Teaching is a dynamic process that frequently presents new challenges. What works this year might not address next year’s needs. Frequent evaluation and improvement will help keep things fresh and moving forward. Why Evaluate?

4. In a nutshell, what’s it all about ? 1 Affirmation 2 Improvement Evaluation asks three basic questions in relation to the teaching goals: 1.What should I as a teacher keep doing? Why? 2.What should I as a teacher stop doing? Why? 3.What should I as a teacher start doing that is not being done at the moment? Why?

5. What should we evaluate? Planning of work Planning for resources Teaching methodologies Classroom management Classroom atmosphere Learning Assessment modes and outcomes Record Keeping and reporting Student engagement in subject Overall student achievement in subject Source: Looking at our School

6. What Instruments might we use? QuantitativeQualitative Desk Research Closed Questionnaires Checklists Standard Forms Logs, Diaries, Recordings etc. Evaluation Grids SCOT Analysis Open Questionnaires Interviews Force Field Analysis Spot Check Critical Incident Analysis Self-evaluation Profile Source: sdpi.ie

7. Aim of this Session Reflection on classroom practice Ongoing development of teacher practice To engage in some conversation around the development of a checklist approach that will stimulate:

8. Checklist Can be used by an individual member of staff to carry out a private audit. Can be completed in cooperation with a colleague where relevant points are discussed Can be used as a subject Dept/ teaching team approach to identify common issues

9. Some Questions… How might it be used in your school? What changes would you suggest to the current format? What additions would you make to enhance its effectiveness?