Developing Excellence In Teaching And Learning In Higher Education Through Observation

Offering interdisciplinary, evidence-informed discussion and practical resources for using observation as a tool of educational inquiry to enhance understanding and the quality of teaching and learning in higher education, this book draws on forward-thinking, contemporary research. Illustrated with real examples and case studies of collaborative observation from a range of subject areas, it provides a conceptual and practical guide for harnessing observation to better understand the relationship between teaching and learning. This is a must-read book for all those interested and involved in using observation to understand, develop and improve the quality of teaching and learning in higher education.

The initial ‘idea’ for the book emerged during the seminar Sharing of Innovative Pedagogical Practices that occurred at the University of Coimbra (Portugal) in 2018. Like all ‘good ideas’, this one originated in a conversation between colleagues from the University of Coimbra and the University of West London in the United Kingdom. The ‘idea’ of this book was to move away from sharing experiences related to teaching and learning in higher education in just one or two countries, but instead to organise a more European view about the policy, research and teaching practices that are shaping the way our students learn, academics teach and do research. We have a total of 16 chapters from academics in Portugal, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, and the Czech Republic. The book is organised in four interrelated themes: (1) policy and quality; (2) professionalisation of teaching and academic development; (3) research and teaching nexus; and (4) pedagogy and practice. Enjoy reading the book!

Looking at the practice of the UK's 'excellent' university teachers, this book draws on insightful interviews where they share their teaching approaches and development plans - the first in-depth study of teaching excellence in higher education.

This book provides a contemporary view of the characteristics of expertise for teaching in higher education, based on the strong foundation of research into expertise, and empirical and practical knowledge of the development of teaching in higher education. Taking key themes related to the characteristics of expertise, this edited collection delivers practical ideas for supporting and enabling professional learning and development in higher education as well as theoretical constructs for the basis of personal reflection on practice. Providing an accessible, evidence-informed theoretical framework designed to support individuals wishing to improve their teaching, Developing Expertise for Teaching in Higher Education considers teaching excellence from an expertise perspective and discusses how it might be supported and available to all. It invites a call to action to all policymakers and strategic leaders who make a claim for teaching excellence to consider how professional learning and the development of expertise can be embedded in the culture, environment and ways of working in higher education institutions. Full of practical examples, based on scholarship and experience, to guide individual teachers, educational developers and policymakers in higher education, this book is a must-read text for those new to teaching in higher education and those looking to improve their practice.

Classroom Observation explores the pivotal role of lesson observation in the training, assessment and development of new and experienced teachers. Offering practical guidance and detailed insight on an aspect of training that is a source of anxiety for many teachers, this thought-provoking book offers a critical analysis of the place, role and nature of lesson observation in the lives of education professionals. Illustrated throughout with practical examples from a range of education settings, it considers observation as a means of assessing teaching and learning and also as a way of developing teachers’ skills and knowledge. Key topics include: The purposes and uses of lesson observation The socio-political and historical context in which lesson observation has developed Practical guidance on a range of observation models and methods Teacher autonomy and professional identity Performance management, professional standards and accountability Peer observation, self-observation and critical reflection Using video in lesson observation. Written for all student and practising teachers as well teacher educators and those engaged in educational research, Classroom Observation is an essential introduction to how we observe, why we observe and how it can be best used to improve teaching and learning.

Pedagogy is at the heart of the higher education student experience. This book explores pedagogy in a range of higher education (HE) practices and draws from the expertise of a range of professionals working in higher education across three countries (the UK, China and Malaysia), thus giving voice to a number of debates around teaching and learning practice in higher education from different cultural perspectives. The volume also explores challenges that have arisen as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic which has forced higher education practitioners to reconceptualise pedagogy. It provides insights into different approaches to teaching in 21st-century higher education and as such has a practical focus that will appeal to HE practitioners who are keen to enhance their own practice and, as a consequence, student outcomes.

Reclaiming Lesson Observation explores the latest practice, thinking and research in lesson observation, putting teacher learning at its heart. Illustrated throughout with practical examples from a range of education settings, each chapter contains a rich variety of state-of-the-art, evidence-based case studies to demonstrate how new approaches to observation can be applied in practice. The book is split into four easily accessible parts: making the transition to ungraded models of lesson observation recent research studies in lesson observation peer observation, coaching and mentoring innovations in observing classroom practice. With a carefully chosen team of contributors, from senior leaders and managers to classroom practitioners and education researchers, this book provides an informed perspective on how to maximise the use of observation, and most importantly, implement proven successful schemes to improve the quality of teaching in the classroom. Reclaiming Lesson Observation is for all practising educators who want to break free from the constraints of performative lesson observation to redefine and reclaim it as a powerful tool for teacher growth, on which to build sustainable, collaborative communities of teacher learning.

Building on recent changes and debates surrounding the use of observation, this fully updated second edition of Classroom Observation explores the role of lesson observation in the preparation, assessment and professional learning of teachers, lecturers and educators at all levels and across all educational organisations. Offering practical guidance and detailed insights on an aspect of training that is a source of anxiety for many teachers, this thought-provoking book offers a critical analysis of the place, role and nature of lesson observation in the lives of education professionals. Updated to incorporate the latest research, policy and practical developments on observation, this new edition also includes greater coverage of research and developments in the field of observation beyond the UK. Enabling readers to use observation as a lens for understanding, informing and improving teaching and learning, and equipping them with structured frameworks for applying observation, this book includes sections on: Teacher autonomy and professional identity Performance management, professional standards and accountability Peer observation, self-observation and critical reflection Educational assessment and evaluation Peer-based models of observation Using digital technology to inform learning. Written for all student and practising teachers as well as teacher educators and those engaged in educational research, Classroom Observation is an essential introduction to how we observe, why we observe, and how it can be best used to improve teaching and learning.