Lesson Observations

Identify Targets: Agree on the learning needs to be addressed. 

Match to HOW2s: This can be done with, for or by the teacher. Many organizations create organizational sets of HOW2 techniques that marry with agreed lesson observation criteria. The set(s) or techniques relevant to the agreed target can be shared with the teacher using the nudge feature. 

Create a Set of HOW2s: Put the suggested HOW2s into a Set and send it to the teacher. 

Use the Skills Exchange: The teacher can use the Skills Exchange to contact a colleague(s) with either the Working On It, or Embedded It Status for support. 

Status – Working On It: Setting the HOW2 Status as Working On It contributes to the professional learning community and makes it easier for colleagues (who may also be working on the technique or who have already embedded it) to offer support 

Consider Adaptations: The teacher finds your Set of suggested HOW2s when she logs in to the HOW2 app. She then studies the first HOW2 in all three formats, using the Notes to record any potential pitfalls of using the HOW2 as it is without any adaptations for her classes. 

Find Colleagues’ Know-How: The teacher may also contact a colleague for advice, who is identified in the Skills Exchange as having know-how of the selected HOW2. 

Read Colleagues’ Notes: The teacher will also read the Notes section to learn from colleagues who have used the HOW2 previously and shared their learning. 

Plan the Adaptations: The teacher, alone or with the contacted colleague, works to create any necessary adaptations to the HOW2 to suit his class. Plans are placed in the Notes.

Record Impact: The teacher trials the HOW2 and its possible adaptations, recording the impact in the Notes.

Lesson Observation: You now conduct the second lesson observation with the teacher confident having trialled the HOW2 several times previously. Use the same criteria as previously but, this time, also read the teacher’s Notes to better understand what is planned. 

Feedback framed by HOW2: Give the teacher feedback both regarding the formal criteria, but also with your knowledge of the HOW2 plans. This adds a formative element missing from formal observations. 

Embed the HOW2 in Practice: If the lesson is successful, direct the teacher to change her HOW2 Status to Embedded It. And encourage her to offer her newly acquired know-how to colleagues via the Skills Exchange.