Transforming Lesson Observations with a Developmental, Non-Judgmental Approach

Having succeeded in closing teaching and learning gaps in his former role as Director of Curriculum and Cross College TLA at West Thames College — a success he attributes in no small part to the college’s use of the HOW2 Platform — Singh was in no doubt that the HOW2 teacher development tool would help him to raise the quality of provision across Hull College’s 200-strong teaching body.

His developmental, research-driven approach relied heavily on the evidence-based teaching techniques available on the HOW2 Platform. Right from the outset, Singh linked the college’s learning criteria with the evidence-based teaching techniques on the HOW2 app; a series of​‘HOW2 Sets ’ were created to reflect each area identified for development.

A tangible and supportive approach to teacher development was put in place. After every observation, teaching staff received an action plan where HOW2 techniques were recommended — matched to both areas identified for development and the newly established learning criteria, which focused on assessment for learning and feedback. 

HOW2 removed inconsistency and personality differences from the observation process and ensured everyone was 100% focused on improvement as opposed to judgement.

HOW2s equipped our teachers with the expertise they needed to meet the demands of our rigorous learning criteria. It gave them essential ​‘how-to’ guidance.

Our teachers now think deeply about pedagogy and act on conversations they have with our quality team.

HOW2s facilitate our relentless focus on improvement.

The HOW2 platform removes the need for every observer to be equally expert in pedagogy.

HOW2s meant we all offered specific ways to improve and gave consistently high-quality feedback that teachers valued.

Every conversation focussed on improvement — nobody dwelt on what didn’t work.