1. Great Teaching moments of the last decade!
Think back about your teaching since September.
Think of a moment in class this academic year when you almost wished the inspectors were there observing.
Tell your partner…
What was so good about it?
Had you planned this moment or was it spontaneous?
How could you go about repeating it?

2. What is the value of peer learning?
What is peer learning?
What is the value of peer learning?

3. I love my mates Improves lesson delivery To review your own practice
Increase individual knowledge and group knowledge
Pass on advice to new staff
Efficient working
Other people might have a different perspective on your issues
New methods/creative approaches to teaching leading to improved learning and increased enjoyment
I love my mates
I love my mates
Access to a wider knowledge base
Helps the smooth running of the department
To pitch/value yourself against others
Pass on experience of methods (teaching)
Expertise in subject area transferred
Identify training needs and support
Pass on experience of skill (trade)
Students benefit
Using goodwill
Discuss ideas and views with SCAT professionals
Seeking a better way
Better ILP
Rolling out good practice
Better CPD
To identify common problems
Work for free
Skills transfer
To lighten the load
To share success
Not re-inventing the wheel
Sharing good practice
Sharing knowledge and experience
Reinforces your confidence in your abilities
Pass on learning resources/expertise
Providing a strong foundation
Save management money
Access to new technology – information
To identify common problems
Photocopiers (lack of)
Helps the lecturer to feel more confidence in the classroom

4. Session Objectives Why? When? Who? How? What? Where?
Agree what aspects of teaching and learning you would like to be the focus of your peer learning activities;
Plan what activities to carry out;
Find out how to record your learning;
Set some realistic deadlines.

5. Where do you want to focus?
Talk to a partner
Make a list of the areas that you could develop through peer learning activities
Compare to the categories on the cards
Add any missing ideas onto blank cards

6. Possible areas to focus on
Using technology
LLN/Functional skills
Personalising learning
Smart starts
Subject specialist knowledge
Teaching strategies
Safeguarding
Active learning
Learning styles
Equality and diversity
Managing behaviour
Resources

7. Models for Peer Learning
Peer observation
Action learning sets
Documentation review including REFLECT
Talking about teaching
Peer assessment
Snapshot observations
Peer mentoring/coaching
Team teaching
Which model(s) would work best in your teams?
Bear in mind:
the priorities already established
time constraints
the people involved
limited spare energy!

8. A possible plan???
Snap shot observation of peers during classroom lessons
Each teacher identifies one 60/90 minute slot on one day between here and February half term and tells Senior Practitioner (SP).
SP tells all tutors that one of their peers may pop into their class to watch teaching and learning, with time and day details. (SP records who is participating)
Teacher then goes to 3 or 4 different classes and makes very brief notes about the great ideas they have seen and what changes they might make to their teaching as a result.
Everyone comes to a reflection session after half term and shares what they have learnt with each other.

9. Advantages of this plan
Not too time consuming (90 mins plus usual staff development time)
You see a variety of different colleagues – different teaching styles and approaches
Focus in on the observer to develop his/her self through watching peers so it is less threatening than full length peer observations
However …
should there be a ‘get out of being visited’ card?
should you only visit classes in your curriculum area?

10. Session Objectives
Agree what aspects of teaching and learning you would like to be the focus of your peer learning activities;
Plan what activities to carry out;
Find out how to record your learning;
Set some realistic deadlines. 11