TEACHERS COLLABORATING TO IMPROVE INSTRUCTION LESSON STUDY TEACHERS COLLABORATING TO IMPROVE INSTRUCTION ZEYNEP GÖNENÇ AFYON

What is lesson study? Lesson study is a form of classroom inquiry in which several teachers collaboratively plan, teach, observe, revise and share the results of a single class lesson.

What is Lesson Study? Lesson study is a professional development process that Japanese teachers engage in to systematically examine their practice. The goal of lesson study is to improve the effectiveness of the experiences that the teachers provide to their students.

Working on a Study Lesson: Research and preparation: The teachers jointly draw up a detailed plan for the study lesson. Implementation: A teacher teaches the study lesson in a real classroom while other group members look on. Reflection and improvement: The group comes together to discuss their observations of the lesson. Second implementation and reflection: (optional but recommended) Another teacher teaches the study lesson in a second classroom while group members look on; this is followed by the group coming together again to discuss the observed instruction.

Working on a Study Lesson: (Research & Preparation) (Implementation) (Reflection & Improvement) (Reflection & Filing of Records) Group Meetings Study Lesson (1) Study Lesson (2) (Optional)

Lesson Study Collaborative planning PLANNING PHASE Collaborative planning Discuss goals for students & content Study available units & lessons Build from an existing lesson

Lesson Study One teacher teaches; others observe/ collect data Planning Phase Research Lesson One teacher teaches; others observe/ collect data Record lesson - video, audio, student work, observation notes The heart of LS is the research lesson, which is about observation and data collection

Lesson Study Formally debrief lesson Share data Planning Phase Research Lesson Post-Lesson Activities Formally debrief lesson Share data Draw implications for lesson and teaching-learning more broadly Revise and re-teach if desired Show seats; collect model 1. Ask them to fill out model 2. Important to focus on left and center as well as right. Frame: look for evaluation items. Stop tape and have them share out what they added to model.

Lesson Study 1. STUDY 2. PLAN 4. REFLECT 3. DO RESEARCH LESSON Consider long term goals for student learning and development Study curriculum and standards 2. PLAN Select or revise research lesson Do lesson plan Anticipate student responses Plan data collection and lesson 4. REFLECT Share data What was learned about students learning, lesson design, this content? What are implications for this lesson and instruction more broadly? 3. DO RESEARCH LESSON Conduct research lesson Collect data

Lesson Study is: On-going professional development process Allows teachers the opportunity to create high quality instructional practices through collaboration, collectively planning, teaching, observing and analyzing lessons A cycle of learning in which new insights are integrated into subsequent lesson planning

Purpose of Lesson Study: To focus on STUDENT LEARNING To create structured time for teachers to examine their teaching, learning, and collaboratively work together To help teacher be more effective and to improve student learning gains To improve the lesson planning process, refine instructional strategies and delivery, and evaluate student thinking Observers in the lesson study process are focused on students

Lesson Study Provides Opportunities to Think Deeply About Long-term Goals for Students Carefully Consider the Goals of a Particular Content Area, Unit, and Lesson Study the Best Available Lessons Plan Lessons that Bring to Life both Short-term and Long-term goals Deepen Subject Matter Knowledge Develop Instructional Knowledge Build Capacity for Collegial Learning Develop the “Eyes to See Students”

Benefits Improve student learning based on observations and assessments, problem solving Collect and analyze student work and behavior data Directs the teacher’s focus to student outcomes Links teacher behaviors to student gains

Benefits Teaching Improvement:   In contrast to workshops and seminars that discuss general teaching strategies, lesson study looks directly at one's classroom. By focusing on one lesson, instructors can learn about students, instruction, goals, and subject matter without undertaking extensive course revision.

Benefits Teaching Community: Lesson study cultivates mutual understanding of goals, teaching practices and student learning among teachers. Scholarly Inquiry:  The final products are suitable for professional presentations and publication. Lesson study integrates teaching and research, theory and practice.

WW WHY LESSON STUDY? TRADITIONAL CPD RESEARCH BASED CPD Begins with answer Driven by expert Communication trainer -> teachers Relationships hierarchical Research informs practice Begins with question Driven by participants Communication among teachers Relationship reciprocal Practice is research

“There’s no such thing as the perfect lesson, WHY LESSON STUDY? “There’s no such thing as the perfect lesson, the perfect day in school or the perfect teacher. For teachers and students alike, the goal is not perfection but persistence in the pursuit of understanding important things.” - Tomlinson and McTighe

WHY LESSON STUDY? Traveler, there is no road. The road is created as we walk it together. Antonio Machado