Understanding Peer Observation

Abstract

The peer observation process is implemented to evaluate teachers in their classrooms. On the other hand, this process seems to open a door for teachers to come together and learn from each other. With this interest of exploring the potential learning perspective on this process, the researcher sees the opportunity to implement a participatory design research. A participatory design approach involves the engagement of teachers (in this case) within the process of problem exploration and solution development, rather than having teachers only as the subject of exploration. This research covers the process of the participatory approach that allowed the understanding of the issue. Within this process, it is possible to see how the researcher facilitates the participants to externalize their knowledge and experiences in the peer observation process, as well, this research covers methodologies implemented for the analysis and synthesis of the information. Through the implementation of the participatory design process, teachers were able to identify barriers that kept them from sharing as teachers, as well as to identify opportunities to enable them to learn from each other and forming learning communities.